SPACE DOMAIN AWARENESS (SDA) NOVEL INNOVATION PIPELINE FOR ENHANCED RESILIENCE (SNIPER)

The Government appreciates the industry reponses received from the RFI posted in Sep-Oct 2025 and wants to provide the below update that was also recently shared at SSC Space Industry Days.

The MD2/2STS SNIPER efforts intend to support a multiple-award prototype efforts for innovative software tools to improve existing Space Domain Awareness (SDA) systems. The intent is to take an existing solution via rapid prototyping from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 up to TRL 8 in support of potential fielding into an operational baseline. Potential capabilities include but are not limited to machine learning (ML), automation, or other artificial intelligence (AI) applications or prototypes of applications for SDA.

SNIPER is intended to be a PROCESS that utilizes other contract vehicles and will likely NOT result in a direct contract of its own. We do have funds set aside for innovation ($5-7M over the next 3 years), but we intend to leverage CSOs if possible, OTAs or SBIRs where appropriate, or other existing vehicles with appropriate scope to enable the fastest transition to the ops floor. 

The Government program team is continuing to review the RFI responses and following-up with vendors most aligned with SSC priorities. Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.