HADES (HYBRID ARCHITECTURE AND DEVELOPMENT FOR EXPERIMENTAL SYSTEMS) DRAFT REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

6/5/2026 Update - RSC Site Visit

The Space Systems Command (SSC) Innovation and Prototyping Delta (SSC/SYD89/SD), Prototype Ground Development and Sustainment Branch (SDG) at Kirtland Air Force Base, NM is holding an RSC Site visit for the Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES) follow-on contract. 

The RSC site visit objective is to provide a tour and overview of the RSC and ground systems to better inform prospective offerors prior to proposal receipt.  

The RSC site visit will be held on Thursday 25 June 2026.  

Tentative schedule:

0800: Arrive at Building 414, 3548 Aberdeen Ave SE, Kirtland AFB for check-in and visitor badge

0830: A short briefing at the Unclassified level to go over ground rules regarding the RSC site visit

0900 RSC site visit – TS//SCI (SI/TK)

There will be an Unclassified Q&A session after the tour is complete, with the overall event ending at approximately 1130 MT.

The Government will not hold one-on-one meetings during this event.  There is limited space in the RSC, so the Government is limiting participation to no more than 2 personnel per teaming arrangement and no more than 30 personnel total.

The RSC site visit will be at the TS//SCI (SI/TK) level, so please plan to send attendees that already hold the appropriate clearance.

Submit all inquiries and RSVPs to the PCO and Contract Manager at john.purcell.3@spaceforce.mil and alyssa.phillips.4@spaceforce.mil.

RSVPs should include: name, nationality, security clearance and title of all attendees, as well as contact info (e-mail and phone number) for the Primary POC.

We must ask that you limit your party’s attendance to no more than 2 personnel per team.

Attending the RSC site visit will require base access. If your representatives do not have base access, they will need to obtain a short-term pass by filling out the form here: https://www.kirtland.af.mil/Portals/52/VisitorForm.pdf which needs to be submitted to the Visitor Center at the Truman Gate by a sponsor not earlier than three days prior to the visit date.

Please see the attached “Contents of a Visit Request” and “DISS Visit Request Form” as each attendee will have to submit this form in order to attend the RSC Site Visit. RSVPs and VARs must be submitted no later than 19 June 2026. Due to the size limitations, RSVPs will be accepted on a first come basis.

There is parking available across the street from the building. The address is:

Building 414, Conference Room 3

3548 Aberdeen Ave SE

Kirtland AFB, NM 87117

5/29/2026 Update - 

SSC/SYD89/SD is updating and clarifying the evaluation criteria for the Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES) Services contract. Due to the updates, the release of the RFP is delayed. An updated draft Section L&M is expected to be released soon. An executive summary of the updated L&M is being posted with this update to provide a preview of the coming changes in the updated section L&M. The previous two Technical subfactors have been further developed and refined into 5 subfactors as follows:

Subfactor 1.1 – Program Management: Administrative Requirements - Pass/Fail 

Subfactor 1.2 – Program Management: Staffing/Labor Profile - Adjectival (Technical Capability & Technical Risk)

Subfactor 1.3 – Program Management: Emerging Requirements Response (Technical Capability & Technical Risk)

Subfactor 1.4 – Systems Engineering: SE Approach and Methodology (Technical Capability & Technical Risk)

Subfactor 1.5 – Systems Engineering: Configuration Management - Pass/Fail 

Subfactors 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 were previously combined under the program management subfactor, and Subfactor 1.4 and 1.5 were combined under the Systems Engineering subfactor. 

5/6/2026 Update - 

The second round of Questions and Answers have been included. The Government expects to release an updated draft of L&M in the coming weeks based on industry feedback. Official RFP is expcted to be released by end of May 2026 pending any delays due to changes. 

3/17/2026 Update - 

Updating the Jaguar and Ground Control PWS with a PDF document due to permissions issues in the previously uploaded word format. 

3/16/2026 Update - 

Adding updated version of the Performance Work Statements for the Basic IDIQ and three Task Orders.

Adding updated Notional Staffing for Ground Control TO

Adding updated Notional Schedule

3/9/2026 Update –

Adding updated copy of the draft RFP FA8809-26-R-B002, please note that many clauses will have deviations or will be updated due to the Revolutionary Far Overhaul. Expect to see many updated clauses and deviations in the final RFP.

Adding updated section L&M

Adding updated Award Fee Plan

Adding updated Ordering Instructions

Adding GFP list

Adding draft CDRLs

Adding HADES notional schedule

Adding OCI Mitigation Plan checklist referenced in Section L

Adding Questions/Comments and Answers received up to 20 Feb 26

Please review and continue sending questions and comments.

1/28/2026 Update - 

Adding three Task Order (TO) Performance Work Statements (PWS's), three notional staffing plans for the TO PWS's as identified in Sections L&M. 

Also clarifying engagements and questions: Please send your questions and comments to the POCs listed below early. We plan to update the Draft RFP and post them as we receive your feedback. 

This pre-solicitation notice is to provide a DRAFT Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES) contract. The Space Systems Command (SSC), Innovation and Prototyping Delta, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico intends to release a solicitation for a competitive Cost-Reimbursable (CR) with Cost-Plus-Award-Fee (CPAF), Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), and Cost CLINs contract to support satellite ground system and satellite operations center engineering, development, integration, and sustainment, and associated support services primarily at, but not limited to, the Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) Support Complex (RSC) at Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The required services are described in the draft RFP. This pre-solicitation notice is for planning purposes only and does not commit the Government to any contractual agreement. The Government will not award a contract based upon vendor responses to this announcement. The Government does not assume any costs associated with obtaining the draft solicitation documents or industry responses to the draft solicitation documents.

In accordance with FAR Part 15.201, Exchanges with Industry before Receipt of Proposals, the Space Systems Command (SSC) Innovation and Prototyping Delta (SD) is pleased to provide copies of the draft RFP for the HADES program. This draft RFP is provided to assist prospective offerors in the planning and development of proposals for future submission pending release of the final version.

The information in this draft pre-solicitation is subject to change prior to release of the final RFP. The final RFP is scheduled to be released in Spring 2026. The North American Industry Classification System code for this DRAFT is 541715.

The HADES team is encouraging industry input, comments, and questions from all interested companies. The purpose of exchanging information is to identify and resolve concerns regarding the acquisition and to improve the understanding of Government requirements and industry capabilities, thereby allowing potential offerors to judge whether or how they can satisfy the Government's requirements, and enhancing the Government's ability to obtain quality supplies and services at reasonable prices, and increase efficiency in proposal preparation, proposal evaluation, negotiation, and contract award. The government intends to post all questions/comments with answers on SAM.Gov, unless the questions/comments are marked company proprietary. Please limit the proprietary questions/comments as much as possible.

The HADES team is interested in industry comments and feedback in the following key areas:

1. Request feedback on Performance Work Statement (PWS) structure in relation to overall structure, format, ease of use/ understanding the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for consistency in proposing the WBS for individual task orders.
2. Request feedback with respect to completeness, clarity, and understanding on the Award Fee Plan.
3. Request feedback regarding appropriateness, adequacy, and sufficiency on documents currently provided in the draft RFP. The Government intends to add to the draft RFP and make changes throughout the comment period in response to feedback.

Please provide your inputs, comments, and questions regarding the draft RFP to the following inbox: alyssa.phillips.4@spaceforce.mil or john.purcell.3@spaceforce.mil no later than 20 March 2026.

Vendors must be registered in System for Award Management (SAM) prior to the award of any contract. You may register at www.sam.gov.

This pre-solicitation notice is for planning purposes only and does not commit the Government to any contractual agreement. The Government will not award a contract based upon vendor responses to this announcement. The Government does not assume any costs associated with obtaining the draft solicitation documents or industry responses to the draft solicitation documents.