Off Target

Last month's strong tornadoes in Alabama have pushed back the release date for the Missile Defense Agency's medium-range ballistic missile targets draft request for proposals, according to a notice posted today on Federal Business Opportunities.

"Due to the inclement weather during the week of 25 April and associated impacts to MDA operations, the current projection for the release of the Draft RFP is on or about 16 May 2011," the notice states. MDA had originally planned to release the document on May 5.

According to the original synopsis posted April 14:

Under FEDBIZOPPS announcement HQ0147-09-R-0011, released on July 2, 2009, the Government announced intent to award competitive, fixed priced and cost-reimbursement contract(s) to continue support of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) Element and System Flight Tests, to include Short Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM), Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM), Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM), and Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) target systems.

This pre-solicitation notice specifically addresses MDA's MRBM Target Class requirements. MRBM requirements include development and manufacturing of MRBM, integrated logistics support to include inventory storage and maintenance, pre and post mission analysis, ground and air launch preparation and execution, and engineering services to include Ballistic Missile Defense System modeling and simulation support. The requirement is for targets under a contract including cost-reimbursement and fixed priced contract line items.

MDA anticipates issuing a final RFP in August, with contract award in mid-2012, according to the notice.

In February, MDA put a stop to its effort to build a new class of long-range, intercontinental ballistic missile targets. In a Feb. 16 FedBizOpps notice, MDA stated: "Due to reprioritization of the test events planned under the Missile Defense Agency Integrated Master Test Plan, the Government hereby provides notification to industry that the pending release of the ICBM Targets Request for Proposal (RFP) is canceled. The Missile Defense Agency will compete this requirement in the future at a time to be determined."