$48 Million Contract for Varda Space Industries: Space Reentry Payload Flight Testing Under Air Force Research Labs

Varda Space Industries Inc., El Segundo, California, was awarded a maximum $48,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for space reentry payload testing. This contract provides for a series of space reentry payload flights with multiple possible configurations. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California, and is expected to be completed by May 4, 2028. This contract was a sole source acquisition under Small Business Innovation Research Phase III. No funds are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Research Labs, Space Vehicles Directorate, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (FA9453-25-D-X001). (Awarded Nov. 22, 2024)