Space Force seeks industry input to develop phase 3 LSP approach

The Space Force wants feedback from industry to inform the government's development of its acquisition strategy surrounding the next phase of Launch Service Procurements.

The request for information, published Thursday, seeks “market research information” from domestic providers who intend to bid on Phase 3 LSP “to improve the government’s understanding of the current and projected market and launch providers’ intended capabilities.”

Respondents are asked to address questions surrounding challenges tied to meeting National Security Space Launch requirements; planned annual full-rate production capability; how a delayed start to phase 3, beyond 2025, may “impact your business case”; what a “suggested optimal ordering period for Phase 3” would look like; and more.

The RFI serves as a follow-up to an Aug. 17 industry day the Space Force convened to discuss "innovative acquisition strategies" for forthcoming NSSL missions and Phase 3 LSP strategies, among other things.

The latest RFI comes after the Space Force issued a separate solicitation in November 2020 seeking to gauge industry’s thoughts on the next wave of launch capabilities and how government officials should approach LSP going forward.

Responses are due Feb. 24.