Solicitation: National Space Test and Training Complex (NSTTC) Innovative Technology & Engineering – Space Test and Range (NITE-STAR)

Quick Summary

The United States Space Force (USSF) Space System Command (SSC) is soliciting proposals for the National Space Test and Training Complex (NSTTC) Innovative Technology & Engineering – Space Test and Range (NITE-STAR) Capability Development Multiple Award (MA) Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract. This vehicle will support the Operational Test and Training Infrastructure (OTTI) and SYD 81 by designing, developing, integrating, testing, and sustaining advanced space-based and ground-based systems. Proposals are due April 17, 2026, at 1200 Mountain Daylight Time (MDT).

Scope of Work

The NITE-STAR IDIQ aims to provide interconnected, scalable, live/physical and synthetic/digital ranges for full-spectrum test and training in contested space environments. The scope includes:

• Development, enhancement, test, evaluation, and training operations for space-based and ground-based capabilities across Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) environments.
• Creation of Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SWIL) simulations, and digital twins.
• Integration of Government Furnished Property/Information (GFP/GFI), sustainment, and lifecycle management.
• Special studies, technical analyses, and mission-driven assessments.
• Contractors must possess an accredited Secure Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) for Top Secret//Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS//SCI) work and comply with NIST SP 800-37, NIST SP 800-53, and CMMC Level 2.

Contract Details

• Type: Multiple Award Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (MA IDIQ).
• Maximum Value: $981,000,000.00 shared among all awardees.
• Period of Performance: A five (5) year ordering period with one (1) five (5) year optional ordering period. Task Orders (TOs)/Delivery Orders (DOs) can extend up to one year beyond the option period.
• Contract Types (for TOs/DOs): May include Firm-Fixed Price (FFP), Fixed Price Incentive Firm (FPIF), Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF), Cost Plus Fixed-Fee (CPFF), Cost Reimbursable (CR), Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF), and Fixed Price Award Fee (FPAF).
• Initial Task Order: A $10,000 FFP TO will be awarded to each awardee for a Post Award Kickoff Conference in Colorado Springs, CO.
• NAICS: 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) with a 1,000-employee size standard.
• Set-Aside: None specified.

Eligibility & Evaluation

Award will be made to "Qualifying Offerors" through a gated technical evaluation (Pass/Fail).

• Gate 1 (Security Compliance): Requires a minimum TOP SECRET Facility Clearance (FCL) and an accredited facility for TS/SCI work, along with cybersecurity and Risk Management Framework (RMF) capabilities.
• Qualifying Relevant Projects (QRPs): Offerors must demonstrate experience with two QRPs (minimum six months continuous performance within the last ten years) as a prime contractor: one Space System QRP and one Ground System QRP.
• Offerors providing Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS), Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA), or Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) support to OTTI are precluded.
• Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) mitigation plans are required if applicable.

Key Dates & Submission

• Pre-Proposal Conference: Slides and recording will be posted to SAM.gov by March 20, 2026.
• Questions Due: March 24, 2026, by 1700 MDT, using Attachment 11 template.
• Proposals Due: April 17, 2026, by 1200 MDT.
• Submission: Electronically via DoD SAFE. Offerors must email SSC.TIK.NITESTAR@spaceforce.mil to request a drop-off link.