EL SEGUNDO, California — As the primary acquisition platform for the U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command (SSC) is responsible for providing capabilities to counter the evolving threat to U.S. and allied interests in space.
An important part of providing these capabilities is a wide range of partnerships with U.S. and international companies, ranging from large, well-known companies to small, non-traditional companies that may have never worked in the aerospace sector and defense – where the Command’s support for small and medium-sized partners comes into play.
“The connections we build through all of our commercial partnerships are critical to achieving our goals in a world of great power competition,” said USSF Capt. Cliff Cooke, who as program manager of the Space Enterprise Consortium of the SSC, works closely with small businesses, including those that may I have never worked for the government. “It’s not just about effective practices and accelerating technology. It’s about cultivating non-traditional partnerships that will impact the future. Our competitive advantage relies on these relationships, which are fundamental to our technological growth.
In an area where the DoD has decades of contracting experience and institutional knowledge – including simply understanding the universe of acronyms and jargon expected in any technical field – each effort has its own domain intervention (see links and details below).
“Pursuing Department of Defense contracts requires patience, perseverance and a thorough understanding of federal acquisition rules. We are here to help,” said Aaron Parra, director of small business programs has Space Systems Command. “This year, we are very proud to say that we are on track to meet each of our small business goals, with record dollar awards given to small businesses in four out of five categories.”
The teams all work to bridge the gap between the business and DoD, especially if the business partner is bidding to the standard. Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and associated systems Supplement to the Federal Defense Acquisition Regulations (DFARS), or the OT (Other Transactions) agreements, a more flexible practice created for use in limited circumstances.
The level of assistance varies from program to program, but the focus on small businesses and the ability to use OT agreements (often called OTAs) has made a difference for more than one business, said those responsible.
“We enjoy participating and seeing the various opportunities offered by the OTA, which, for a small business, is much easier to navigate than FARS-based contracts,” said Tim Deaver, an executive at Hawthorne-based Mynaric USA , California, which builds laser communications equipment. “It’s easier to execute (on a contract) since you get more flexibility, which makes doing business a lot easier.”
Participation in information efforts, such as SpEC, often leads companies to bid for contracts in the U.S. federal space environment, including military, scientific and civilian projects, executives said.
“For a long time, it was just a way for us to understand what was going on in the industry and be informed,” said Brad Cheetham, CEO of Advanced Space in Colorado, which manages the system’s technology. Cislunar autonomous positioning system. Operations and navigation experience (FIELD STONE) project for NASA and similar Oracle project for the DoD. “Then, a few years ago, we were very excited to be able to participate as a bidder, which allowed us to be selected as the prime contractor for what we now call today the Oracle program for the Air Force.
Opportunities for small businesses run the gamut from operational spacecraft to ground systems and general services, officials said.
“One of the events we competed in earlier this year was National Space Test Training Range effort,” said Tessa Baerlocher, vice president of Virginia-based Linquest Corp. “It was a fantastic opportunity for our business; it was really well managed and allowed us to bring new ideas to the Space Force.
That’s exactly the kind of success story SPC’s commercial and small business partnerships are designed to create, officials said.
“The government also benefits from access to the best and most innovative technologies available, from the earliest stages of prototyping to commercially ready dual-use models,” said Col. Rich Kniseley, senior materiel officer for the SSC Commercial Space Office. “Our system ensures that these revolutionary concepts will not be lost because companies don’t know how to find the right end user or because they are unable to obtain financing.
Looking to work with Space Systems Command or other DoD organizations? Check out these resources:
- Space Systems Command Commercial Space Office
THE Commercial Space Office (COMSO) is responsible for accelerating commercial partnerships to deliver tonight’s warfighting capabilities aligned with warfighter needs.
- Space Systems Command Small Business Office
THE Small Business Office works specifically with small business owners who are interested in contracting with Space Systems Command.
- Gateway to Space Systems Command
THE Entrance door Efforts exist to help early-stage startups and innovative business ventures explore collaboration opportunities with the United States Space Force (USSF).
- The Space Business Consortium
THE Space Business Consortiumor SpEC, was established in 2017 through what was then the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, now SSC, at Los Angeles Air Force Base (LAAFB).
- Space Industry Days
Space Industry DaysAnd Reverse Industry Day events, provide the industry with the opportunity to receive presentations from USAF, USSF and SSC senior leadership on current and emerging opportunities.
Useful terminology
THE OT (Other Transactions) allows a federal agency to use statutory authority to seek three different types of OT agreements with a supplier: research, prototype, and production. Research OT are intended to stimulate dual-use research and development (R&D), taking advantage of economies of scale without imposing government regulatory costs on companies, which would make them uncompetitive in the commercial (non-defense) sector. OT prototypes offer a streamlined method to move into subsequent production without further competition, while still production OTTOs are authorized as follow-on TOs to a prototype TO agreement that has been competitively awarded and successfully completed.
THE Research on innovation in small businesses (SBIR) is a U.S. government funding program designed to help small businesses conduct R&D activities. These opportunities include a three-phase competitive process to solicit proposals from small businesses (SBCs) for research/research and development (R/R&D), production, services, or any combination to meet the company’s stated needs or missions. ‘agency ; and award funding agreements.
THE Technology transfer for small businesses (STTR) is similar, but also promotes technology transfer through cooperative R&D between small businesses and research institutions, including colleges/universities, federally funded research and development centers ( FFRDC) or non-profit research institutes qualified in cooperative R/R&D.