The Air Force on Jan. 8 released a request for proposals (RFP) on Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) for the Global Positioning System III (GPS III) space vehicles 11 and beyond Phase 1 Production Readiness Feasibility Assessment.
Proposals are due no later than Feb. 23. The proposed period of performance for this effort is 26 months for the basic contract and two options, six months each, for a total possible period of performance of 38 months.
Lockheed Martin [LMT] is the incumbent from the first eight GPS III satellites, none of which have launched. It came under fire from the Air Force for significant delays to the first satellite, which was due to crosstalk in the navigational payload developed by Exelis, which is now Harris [HRS]. Boeing [BA] and Northrop Grumman [NOC] are expected bidders for the contract.