The U.S. Department of Defense has announced that Iridium Satellite LLC is being awarded an $8,912,007 cost-plus-fixed-fee option under a previously awarded contract (N00178-17-C-0001) to support commercial satellite-based network services for the Department of Defense in the areas of satellite, ground node, user equipment/terminal software and hardware development, integration and testing.

This option is for a follow-on requirement to procure continued communication support services that may be implemented for use in tactical, operational and strategic-level Department of Defense activities. This effort will include enhancements to the existing Distributed Tactical Communications System Phase 3 and Advanced Concepts Development Support Services.

This requirement is being fulfilled in accordance with J&A DL13276, approved on August 31, 2015, by Naval Sea Systems Command 025, with a single contract being awarded in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) (only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements).

The contract includes a base year and options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $45,807,778.  Work will be performed at McLean, Virginia (50 percent) and at Tempe, Arizona (50 percent) and is expected to be completed by November of 2021. Fiscal 2017 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $50,000 will be obligated at time of the option exercise and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity.