Main Engine Cut OffRaytheon Files Second Protest of SDA Awards to SpaceX, L3Harris
Sandra Erwin, writing for SpaceNews, on protests surrounding the recent Space Development Agency awards to SpaceX and L3Harris for new missile-warning satellites:
Both Airbus and Raytheon on Oct. 28 and Nov. 3, respectively, filed protests with the Government Accountability Office challenging the Space Development Agency’s Oct. 5 contract awards to L3Harris and SpaceX. In order to resolve the protests, the Space Development Agency offered to to re-evaluate contractor bids.
After the agency agreed to this corrective action, the Government Accountability Office dismissed both Airbus’ and Raytheon’s protests Nov. 30. But the Space Development Agency has not been able to start the re-evaluation of proposals because Raytheon filed another protest on Nov. 30 challenging the agency’s corrective action. A spokesperson said the SDA could not comment on the nature of the protest.
The Space Development Agency may have the goal of speeding up acquisitions and development of space systems, but until they solve the protest-laden nature of the beast, they can only make so much progress.