NSTXL to Manage Space Force’s Space Enterprise Consortium

The Space Force has tasked a nonprofit acquisition organization to manage the Space Enterprise Consortium, which will oversee $12B in space projects over the next decade. 

The National Security Technology Accelerator, or NSTXL, is a defense contractor network that specializes in delivering best-in-class technologies into the hands of warfighters.

The SpEC management contract was originally awarded to the Advanced Technology Institute in 2017. The program's success prompted the Space Force to expand its budget and increase focus on cybersecurity, C4ISRNET reported Wednesday.

“We are honored to contribute to U.S. space advancement. This has been a very successful program thus far, and we look forward to taking it to next level to unlock more value for the U.S. military by engaging more nontraditional defense companies and bringing great innovation to the nascent Space Force," NSTXL CEO Tim Greef said.

Since its creation in 2017, SpEC has provided nontraditional companies with the chance to work with the Department of Defense on space systems. The program connects vendors with organizations like the Space Rapid Capabilities Office and the Intelligence Community's National Reconnaissance Office. 

SpEC has shortened contract award timelines by 36 percent, increased its members to 441 and awarded 60 around $856M in prototype efforts, according to the Space and Missile Systems Center.

The SMC is expected to award the new management contract on Dec. 31, following a required 30-day congressional notification period. 

“There’s no question that SpEC has been an overwhelming success for the government programs that have utilized it to accelerate their prototyping, and for the consortium members to gain a better understanding on the USSF’s architectural direction," said Tim Sejba, program executive officer for the SMC's Space Development Corps.

NSTXL also supports the Army's Training and Readiness Accelerator, the Navy's Strategic and Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Systems and the Defense Technical Information Center Energy Other Transaction Authority.