A Lockheed Martin engineer works on a GPS 2R-M satellite. Photo: Lockheed Martin.

[Via Satellite 05-06-2016] The U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) has awarded Global Positioning System (GPS) 3 Space Vehicles (SVs) 11+ Phase 1 Production Readiness Feasibility Assessment contracts to defense primes Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Northrop Grumman. The three contracts, issued May 5, use the current GPS 3 SV01 to SV08 requirements baseline with the addition of some new features.

The requirements add a redesigned Nuclear Detonation Detection System Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) hosted payload, a Search and Rescue/GPS GFE hosted payload, a laser retro-reflector array GFE hosted payload, unified S-band compliance capability, and a regional military protection capability. No changes are allowed to the GPS Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX) or Military GPS User Equipment interfaces.

The three GPS 3 SV11+ Phase 1 Production Readiness Feasibility Assessment contracts are firm-fixed-price contracts not-to-exceed $6 million, with a base contract of $5 million, plus two $500,000 options. The periods of performance are 26 months for the basic contract, and six months each for the two options, for a total possible period of performance of 38 months. The scope of these contracts include insight into each of the contractor’s readiness efforts in preparation for the Phase 2 competition for production SVs and includes access to design artifacts as well as a demonstration of navigation payload capability.

“Industry told us they were ready to compete for the GPS III space vehicles. We look forward to working with Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman to assess the feasibility of a follow-on, competitive production contract,” said Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves, SMC commander and Air Force program executive officer for space.