AN ANALYSIS OF THE COMMERCIALITY DETERMINATION FOR UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE SPACE LAUNCH SERVICES
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Authors
Miller, April M.
Steff, James L., Jr.
Subjects
small launch
assured access to space
commercial launch
contracting
national security space launch
rocket systems launch program
mission assurance
assured access to space
commercial launch
contracting
national security space launch
rocket systems launch program
mission assurance
Advisors
Rendon, Rene G.
Cawley, Alicia, US Space Force
Date of Issue
2022-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
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Abstract
The Orbital Service Program-4 (OSP-4) acquires launch missions as commercial items in accordance with FAR Part 12 to comply with 51 USC §50132, “Acquisition of commercial space transportation services,” which requires space transportation to be considered a commercial item under acquisition laws. As a result, acquisition professionals must opt for contract structures that only allow for Firm Fixed Price contract types and consequently are prohibited from utilizing cost reimbursement contract types. The National Security Space Launch program (NSSL) and the Orbital Service Program (as part of the Rocket Systems Launch Program) share a common commercial item determination and operated under the same Launch Enterprise Division of Space Systems Command until March 2022. As of March 2022, the two programs were realigned under different Deltas within Space Systems Command. This Capstone Applied Project analyzes the current policy for the acquisition of commercial space transportation services as it applies to both the NSSL and OSP-4 programs. Furthermore, the research seeks to address difficulties in determining fair and reasonable prices for space launch services due to the commercial contracts for space launch services containing noncommercial requirements.
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Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.