SPACECOM contract adds timeline details

Huntsville-based DEFTEC was awarded a contract earlier this month to support the transition of U.S. Space Command to Redstone Arsenal and the construction of its new headquarters.

Why it matters: The contract provides more details on the timeline of the move, and shows the urgency that's driving that timeline.

Zoom in: "At the direction of the United States Secretary of War (SECWAR), USSPACECOM is ordered to establish 50% of the command on RSA by October 2028," the contract says, with construction on its Command and Control Facility (C2F) to start in 2027.

• That lines up with remarks from Sen. Katie Britt in Huntsville last month, and means about 700-900 personnel should be on-site by then.

How it works: The one-year, firm fixed-price contract, the value of which is redacted, was awarded without an open bidding process, as "there is significant risk of mission impact and subsequent military readiness if additional delays are incurred."

• The contract covers advisory and assistance services "to support planning, design, construction and transition to occupancy for the C2F."

• It notes DEFTEC is already engaged on a similar contract with SPACECOM.

Zoom out: Another recent announcement is adding more details, including plans for an on-site data center at SPACECOM's C2F, set to be constructed via progressive design-build.

• An April 1 industry day was announced Thursday for the headquarters, which will include 700,000 square feet on a 64-acre site, a visitor control center, vehicle inspection area and secure data center.
• The permanent headquarters is slated for completion between 2030-2032.