NASA Eyes Rocket Support Contract Award to Boeing-Northrop JV

NASA has issued a presolicitation notice on its plan to adopt a single services contracting approach for long-term hardware production and operations of the Space Launch System.

The space agency said Wednesday it intends to award the single Exploration Production and Operations Contract to Deep Space Transport, a joint venture between Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC).

NASA plans to procure five launch services using the SLS rocket for Artemis V through IX missions under the EPOC contract with 15 additional options, including an option for five more Artemis launches and another 10 launches for other NASA missions. The contract is expected to be awarded by Dec. 31, 2023.

“Through this contract approach, we are working to enable the use of this one-of-a-kind heavy lift capability to other customers,” said Kathy Lueders, associate administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters.

“This approach will also allow NASA to streamline SLS production and operations under one contract, creating a more affordable and sustainable exploration framework for decades to come,” she added.

According to the notice, interested stakeholders may submit their qualifications and capabilities to support EPOC through Aug. 10. NASA will then evaluate the responses to determine whether to launch a full and open competition for the contract.

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