Notice of Intent to Contract with a Single Source

Introduction/Statement of Intent

The FAA intends to award a single source contract to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. A competitive solicitation is not available for this procurement. The FAA Acquisition Management System (AMS) authority for the planned single source, AMS policy section 3.2.2.4 Single-Source Selection (Revised 7/2023) and 3.2.1.3.7, Single-Source Approval (Revised 9/2020) is the FAA’s authority to single source. 

1. Description of Supplies/Services

The mission of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Space Transportation (AST) is to ensure protection of the public, property, and the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States during commercial launch or reentry activities, and to encourage, facilitate, and promote U.S. commercial space transportation. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires AST to integrate environmental values into its decision-making process. AST considers the environmental effects of proposed actions and reasonable alternatives to those actions in order to make decisions based on an understanding of environmental consequences. AST analyzes the environmental effects of proposed licensed and permitted actions, including the licensing of launch and reentry activities, the operation of launch and reentry sites, and the issuing of permits for suborbital reusable rockets. It then takes the appropriate action required under NEPA.

2. Total Estimated Value and Period of Performance

The total estimated value of the planned single source contract inclusive of all options is $8,852,914.43. The period of performance inclusive of all options is March 30, 2020 through March 29, 2027.

3. Single Source Rationale

In accordance with the FAA Acquisition Management System, AMS 3.2.2.4, the purpose of this announcement is to inform industry of the basis of the FAA's decision to contract with a selected source when it is determined to be in the best interest of the FAA. The current contractor, ICF, has supported the FAA in its mission in rocket launch licensing, under federal statutes and FAA commercial space transportation regulations located under Title 14, Chapter III, Parts 400 to 460, of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Included in this is the requirement to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which subject matter experts on this contract support. If AST does not have support on this contract the number of launch licenses AST can support may be greatly reduced, to the point of not meeting the needs of the commercial space launch industry. Given these legal requirements, and industry expectations, a break in service cannot be tolerated.

This announcement is for informational purposes only and not a Solicitation/Request for Proposal. This requirement will be awarded to ICF and is not available for full and open competition.

All questions pertaining to this announcement should be addressed in writing to 9-AFN-AWA-AAQ460-Contracting-Team@faa.gov no later than 12 pm (EST) on September 11, 2026. 

Note: The FAR references cited in SAM.gov are not applicable to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as the FAA has its own policies and guidance referenced in the Acquisition Management System (AMS).