New bids wanted for massive satellite terminal program
- By Defense Systems Staff
- May 14, 2012
The Air Force May 11 invited other companies to submit alternate bids for a multi-billion dollar program for next-generation satellite communications terminals as the service continues to negotiate with Boeing on cost reductions to the program, Reuters reports.
Defense Department Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall signed an agreement in April with Boeing that allows the Air Force to convert its existing contract with the company for the Family of Advanced Beyond-line-of-sight Terminal (FAB-T) program to fixed-price terms, and also invite other companies to bid on the opportunity, the story said.
The acquisition terms of the program are being adjusted in an effort to control rising costs associated with satellite programs, the story said.
The FAB-T equipment will handle critical and sensitive communications, such as those transmitted through the next-generation Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellites now in orbit, the story said.