The Air Force released the final request for proposals for GPS III services on Sept. 30, officially opening the door to competition for national security space launches. Companies have until Nov. 16 to submit proposals, though California-based SpaceX and the United Launch Alliance are the only entities certified for military space launches, according to a Sept. 30 release. The Air Force will evaluate the proposals and award a “firm-fixed price contract” that will cover launch vehicle production, mission integration, and launch operations for a 2018 Global Positioning System III satellite launch, states the release. “Through this competitive solicitation for GPS III launch services, we hope to reintroduce competition in order to promote innovation and reduce cost to the taxpayer while maintaining our steadfast laser focus on mission assurance and assured access to space,” said Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves, Space and Missile Systems Center commander and Air Force program executive officer for space. This is the first of nine competitive launch services planned under the Phase 1A procurement strategy; previously United Launch Alliance was the only certified launch provider.
The Pentagon plans to use U.S. Air Force C-17s and C-130s to deport 5,400 people currently detained by Customs and Border Protection, officials announced Jan. 22, the first act in President Donald Trump’s sweeping promise to crack down on undocumented immigrants and increase border security.