WASHINGTON — The Space Rapid Capabilities Office, a specialized unit within the U.S. Space Force tasked with fast-tracking critical space technologies, selected 20 companies for an Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) multi-year contract for the development of ground-systems software. 

The estimated $1 billion IDIQ contract — a pre-negotiated agreement between the government and multiple vendors — is for a program known as R2C2, short for Rapid Resilient Command and Control, focused on developing a next-generation ground system built on a commercial cloud architecture. 

The Space RCO structured the contract as a small-business set-aside, or specifically reserved for small businesses. This is done to create a level playing field and encourage participation from smaller companies that might not be able to compete with larger corporations on a large-scale project. 

Software in “bite-sized” pieces

The RCO’s strategy is to acquire software systems in incremental phases. This “bite-sized” approach allows for rapid development cycles and updates, the agency said. 

The first task orders are expected to be awarded in the next few months, said the Space RCO. 

The agency said it established the R2C2 program office in February 2023 in response to directives from Frank Calvelli, assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration, who has expressed concerns about traditional ground systems used by the Space Force. 

Calvelli has called for breaking down what are typically monolithic ground systems developments into smaller, more manageable pieces to allow for faster development and easier integration of new functionalities.