The U.S. Space Force awarded Jacobs Technology a contract worth up to $4 billion over 10 years. This contract will provide engineering and technical services at the nation’s primary space launch ranges. The military aims to modernize aging infrastructure and boost capacity amid a surge in commercial space activity.
The Space Systems Command selected the Tullahoma, Tennessee-based contractor on May 31 for the “Space Force Range Contract.” This contract covers maintenance, sustainment, systems engineering, and integration services for the Eastern and Western ranges until 2035. The Eastern Range operates from Patrick Space Force Base in Florida, while the Western Range is based at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
This represents a significant shift in how space launch infrastructure is funded. Commercial launch service providers, now accounting for most launches, can request services or upgrades and pay directly, rather than the government bearing upfront costs. This market-driven approach could accelerate modernization. “Historically, the government has fronted these costs,” Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, Space Launch Delta 45 Commander and Eastern Range Director, said June 3 in a news release. “The ability of our commercial partners to directly fund their own task order will lessen the financial and administrative burden on the government and is in line with congressionally mandated financial improvement and audit readiness requirements.”
The contract reflects the space launch industry's transformation. Companies like SpaceX have increased launch frequency, demanding more from Cold War-era infrastructure. Industry executives warned that facilities may struggle with projected launch surges, potentially hindering America’s competitiveness. Jacobs Technology was selected from four competitors for the indefinite-quantity, indefinite-delivery contract. “This contract will transform the way operations, maintenance, sustainment, and systems engineering and integration services are provided at the Eastern and Western Ranges, to enable their eventual transformation into efficient, high-capacity multi-user spaceports,” the Space Systems Command said. Panzenhagen noted that “the Eastern and Western Ranges have long maintained large inventories of aging systems that have increased in cost to operate, maintain, and sustain.” The new contract aims to address these challenges through “responsive and flexible operations, maintenance, and sustainment services” that will “advance capabilities at both ranges.”