NRL Opens $130 Million Competition for Space Electronics Research and Prototyping

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is soliciting proposals for SESPD III, a follow-on opportunity focused on spacecraft and airborne electronics. The full-and-open, five-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract has a potential value of $130 million and is intended to support research, prototyping, testing, launch support, and mission operations. For GovCon firms, the scope spans multiple phases of space-electronics work rather than a single defined production effort, potentially creating opportunities for both broad-capability integrators and specialized technical providers.

The solicitation’s task-order structure is a central consideration for prospective bidders. Individual orders could range from $10,000 to $50 million, while the stated minimum order is $1 million. This broad range may allow NRL to place work at different scales over the contract’s five-year period, but companies will need to assess how the order floor and potential order ceiling align with their staffing, pricing, cash-flow, and delivery models. The stated $130 million potential value is an overall vehicle figure, not a guarantee that any one contractor will receive a particular amount of work.

The procurement also includes conditions that may affect the composition of bidding teams. The solicitation identifies a 40-mile facility-proximity requirement and notes that some work may require top secret/SCI clearances. Companies should examine the solicitation language closely to determine how the proximity condition applies, which facilities or personnel must meet it, and whether requirements vary by task order. Where classified work is anticipated, bidders should evaluate their existing clearance posture and the feasibility of teaming with qualified partners before investing heavily in a proposal.

Proposals are due December 28, 2026—46 days after the November 12, 2026 publication date. That schedule gives interested firms a defined period to confirm eligibility, establish teaming arrangements, map capabilities to the research and operational scope, and develop pricing and management approaches. The competition is a follow-on opportunity in defense space electronics, and the combination of broad technical coverage, a lengthy ordering period, and variable task sizes makes early capture planning important. The source identifies Peraton, Riptide Technology, Space Ground System Solutions, and Applied Research Associates in connection with the opportunity; firms should use the solicitation and official procurement materials to verify any role or participation details before drawing conclusions about the competitive field.

• Agency: The Naval Research Laboratory, an organization of the U.S. Navy, is soliciting proposals for SESPD III.
• Vehicle: SESPD III is a full-and-open, five-year IDIQ for spacecraft and airborne electronics work.
• Potential value: The vehicle has a potential value of $130 million; this is not a guaranteed award amount for an individual contractor.
• Scope: Requirements cover research, prototyping, testing, launch support, and mission operations.
• Task-order range: Orders could run from $10,000 to $50 million, with a stated $1 million minimum order.
• Proposal deadline: Proposals are due December 28, 2026, 46 days after the source’s November 12, 2026 publication date.
• Facility condition: A 40-mile facility-proximity requirement may influence bidder eligibility, site planning, and teaming decisions.
• Clearance planning: Potential top secret/SCI requirements mean firms should assess personnel and facility clearance needs against the solicitation.
• Capture action: Prospective bidders should validate compliance, partner qualifications, order economics, and proposal responsibilities early; named companies include Peraton, Riptide Technology, Space Ground System Solutions, and Applied Research Associates.