Space Force to host an industry day on space launch Phase III

An industry day is scheduled on July 20-21, to provide updates on Phase III of the space launch acquisitions program, the Space Force announced June 30.

The Space Force will share updates on Phase III of the National Security Space Launch's first draft request for proposals for Lane 1 and Lane 2 and provide a classified threat brief to the potential vendors, the announcement states.

According to the announcement, the Phase III acquisition strategy will consist of a dual-lane approach with two separate contract types to fulfill program requirements.

In February, Inside Defense reported the service would use dual lanes to widen the scope of contractors' competition for future space launch acquisitions.

The first lane will enable newer contractors with risk-tolerant systems to compete annually and the second lane will require vendors to launch payloads that require higher-performance launch systems and complex security and integration requirements.

Recently, the Senate Armed Services Committee also approved an amendment to its version of the fiscal year 2024 defense authorization bill to establish Lane 2A, an additional lane two years into the space acquisitions program Phase III to enable greater competition within the field.

Previously, the service hosted an industry day between Feb. 28 and March 1, to gather feedback from vendors that will be used to refine its acquisition strategy for NSSL Phase III.

Space Systems Command is expecting to release final RFPs for both lanes in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023 and to award contracts for both lanes in the fourth quarter of FY-23.

The industry day will be hosted at Los Angeles Air Force Base, CA, the announcement reads.