Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) Call for Whitepapers for Mission Development Zone (MDZ) Outgrant

1. DESCRIPTION

1.1. Growth of the U.S. Domestic Space industry has resulted in a greater demand for use of real property at U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Launch Delta 30 (SLD 30), Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) by private and commercial entities to conduct spaceport support, payload processing, hardware manufacturing, testing, logistics, and other space-related activities. Ensuring that United States operators can efficiently process space systems, conduct missions in space, launch, and reenter United States airspace is critical to economic growth, national security, and accomplishing Federal space objectives.

1.2. SLD 30 requests white paper responses from United States Commercial Providers as defined by 51 U.S.C. § 50101(7) engaged in space transportation, spaceport support, spacecraft manufacturing, payload processing, assembly, test, space logistics, or other space-related operations on the buildout of the Mission Development Zone (MDZ).  Respondents will offer insights, perspectives, and approaches to obtain real property-use agreements to finance, design, construct, operate, and maintain spaceport infrastructure. Industry insights from whitepaper submissions may be utilized to drive future RFI / RFP announcements issued by SLD 30.  Specifically, the MDZ infrastructure is intended to provide critical support services to the Department of War (DoW), commercial spaceflight, and other spaceport users at an undeveloped area located in the southern region of VSFB’s North Base area. Development and utilization of the MDZ will be in support of maximizing spaceport capability and assured access to space to achieve national security objectives.

1.3. Description of Premises is at Exhibit B. Please note that the MDZ is not a space launch complex (launch pad), but rather a flexible development zone dedicated to supporting the broader spaceport ecosystem. This includes, but is not limited to, payload processing, hazardous processing, spaceport logistics, commodity storage, launch and mission control, research and development, spacecraft integration, and administrative/engineering spaces.

1.4. The USSF is gathering market intelligence to determine the feasibility of a future real property outgrant under 10 U.S.C. § 2667 to a commercial space services provider, spaceport support provider, launch service provider (LSP), space infrastructure provider, or other space-related entity to construct spaceport-related support infrastructure.  MDZ support infrastructure may include, but is not limited to, the following activities: processing, manufacturing, logistics, and administrative support activities. Data gathered from white paper responses will directly inform the Government in determining optimal MDZ utilization and potential infrastructure requirements to meet Government and industry launch requirements.

1.5.  To support its ongoing spaceport capacity expansion, Space Launch Delta 30 (SLD 30) continuously evaluates opportunities and fields requests for new missions. Accordingly, SLD 30 provides discretionary site access and information to prospective partners at any time. Spaceport users and providers responding to this call for whitepapers wishing to view the site may request a property viewing. Please note that scheduling a site visit does not constitute grounds for extending the submittal deadline.

2. CONDITIONS

2.1.  This call for whitepapers is not governed by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and is not a Request for Information (RFI), a Request for Proposal (RFP), a Request for Quote (RFQ), nor a solicitation announcement. Content of whitepapers will provide industry insight to assist the Government in scoping, planning, and defining requirements for the proposed MDZ.  Content of the whitepapers may assist the Government in generating future contract requirements. Submitters agree and allow the USSF to use the information in the submissions for this purpose.

2.2. This call for whitepapers is issued solely for informational and planning purposes, and the Government is under no obligation to allocate property. The information contained herein is current as of the publication date but subject to change; it is not binding and may be amended in the future. While SLD 30 intends to review submissions, it is under no obligation to do so and reserves the right to cancel or amend the call for whitepapers at its sole discretion.

2.3.  No funds are available to fund the whitepaper requested and the Government will not pay or reimburse any costs associated with responding to this request.

2.4.  Any future facility where energetic propellants, hazardous materials, and/or ordnance will be used, processed, or stored will require the development of an explosives site plan. To assist the Government in layout and zoning analysis, respondents should outline any anticipated explosive safety arcs, quantity-distance (QD) requirements, or specialized hazard mitigation constraints.

3.  SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To assist the U.S. Space Force in scoping and planning for the Mission Development Zone (MDZ), respondents are requested to provide a whitepaper that addresses the following areas. The goal is to gather information on industry needs, operational concepts, and technical requirements to shape the future development of the MDZ.

3.1. Spaceport, Support, and Related Infrastructure Capability. To meet future U.S. Government and commercial space requirements, the USSF seeks to establish robust spaceport support and related infrastructure at VSFB. The MDZ, positioned in the southern area of North VSFB, has been assessed as a potentially viable location for development of infrastructure required for the preparation, operation, and support of launch programs, spacecraft assembly, payload processing, space logistics, and other supporting commercial or industrial activities that enable the spaceport ecosystem. The Government is seeking insights from industry regarding the MDZ layout and planned utilization including types of facilities that would be most beneficial to launch providers in this location.  Respondents should provide an assessment with respect to the compatibility of the property with proposed concept of operations. To assist the Government in understanding this capability, respondents should provide a list of all desired facility developments intended to be constructed at the MDZ.

3.2. Payload Processing and Hardware Requirements. A primary objective of the MDZ development is to address current installation capacity constraints regarding payload processing. If a respondent’s concept of operations involves payload or hardware processing, the Government requests specific information regarding requirements to process modern 5-meter-class payloads and next-generation fairings. Respondents should describe necessary facility specifications to include cleanroom class ratings (e.g., ISO 7, ISO 8), overhead crane hook heights, clear span ceiling heights, and projected annual processing throughput. (Note: If a respondent’s proposed operations do not involve payload processing, this section may be omitted).

3.3. Benefit to the Spaceport Ecosystem. Respondents should describe how their proposed operations, facilities, or infrastructure developments will benefit the broader VSFB spaceport ecosystem, the commercial space industry, and U.S. Space Force national security objectives.

3.4. Parcel Selection, Layout Preferences, & Utility Requirements. The MDZ contains roughly 2,100 acres divided into general parcel sizes. The MDZ is located within 5 miles of Vandenberg Airfield with some parcels in the aircraft arrival corridor which will limit building height. To inform the base's Area Development Plan (ADP), respondents are requested to outline their estimated land and utility requirements:

• Acreage and Parcel Selection: Respondents may address any number of parcels depending on the overall size needed for the discussion of the whitepaper; there is no upper limit to the request.
• Location Preferences: Respondents should identify in the whitepaper  preferred location choices utilizing the provided MDZ Parcel Map (Exhibit B) – indicating both the area and the parcel number. Respondents may indicate multiple areas of interest.
• Personnel & Occupancy: Address  estimated peak and average daily on-site personnel/occupant counts for steady-state operations (e.g., shifts, total daily workforce, visitor traffic).
• Utility Loads To properly size the supporting infrastructure, respondents should address  estimated daily and peak requirements for power, water, road, and communications.

3.5. Maximize Productivity with Limited Adverse Impacts. Proposed support operations must balance maximizing development opportunities with minimizing disruptions to existing missions. Understanding potential impacts requires an initial assessment of the proposed concept of operations (CONOPS) and safety considerations. To assist the Government in layout and zoning analysis, respondent’s whitepaper should provide:

•  operational CONOPS (including material logistics and anticipated security boundaries).
• Quantities and types of propellants, commodities, or hazardous chemicals needed.
• Anticipated explosive safety arcs and hazard areas (siting requirements).
• Mitigation alternatives for anticipated impacts on neighboring operations and transportation routes.
• Any new construction or modifications required to existing VSFB infrastructure.

3.6. Conceptual Project Timeline. SLD 30's future objective is to maximize the use of the MDZ by allocating parcels to providers who can efficiently activate their proposed operations. Respondents should include in their whitepaper  a notional schedule of projected milestones outlining the timeline from initial site access to operational capability. This schedule should focus on activities such as final design, site development, construction, and activation.

4. SUBMISSIONS

4.1.  Interested respondents should transmit a detailed whitepaper submission addressing company interest in the MDZ and providing the informational inputs outlined in Section 3 and summarized in Exhibit A.

4.2.  To ensure the Government receives sufficient detail to inform the planning process, respondents are encouraged to provide comprehensive responses addressing all applicable focus areas. Responses are limited to a maximum of 30 pages.

4.3.  Delivery. Whitepapers shall be submitted via DODSAFE File Safe protocol at https://safe.apps.mil. Please send a request to 232909MissionDevelopmentZoneMDZFacilityConstruct@groups.af.mil

and a link will be sent to transfer the files. Please note there is a file size limit of 8 GB using this site. You will need to confirm your documents are received via a separate email. The electronic submittals shall be submitted in MS Word or PDF file format and compatible with DoD Information Technology systems.

4.4. Time and Date of Transmission. Submissions must be received by 30 calendar days after the original call for whitepapers publish date (or the following Monday if the deadline falls on a Saturday or Sunday).