### Jacobs Technology Wins $4 Billion Contract for U.S. Space Force Engineering Services

Jacobs Technology has been awarded a substantial contract by the U.S. Space Force, valued at up to $4 billion over a decade, to provide crucial engineering and technical services at key space launch ranges. This move aims to modernize outdated infrastructure and increase the capacity in response to a rise in commercial space activities.

On May 31, the Space Systems Command selected the Tullahoma, Tennessee-based contractor for what's known as the "Space Force Range Contract." This covers maintenance, sustainment, systems engineering, and integration services at both the Eastern Range, operating from Patrick Space Force Base in Florida, and the Western Range, based at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, until 2035.

The contract signifies a notable shift in how funding for space launch infrastructure is managed. In this new setup, commercial launch service providers can directly request and pay for specific services or upgrades, as opposed to the government shouldering the costs upfront. This market-driven model is expected to accelerate modernization efforts.

“This new approach lessens the financial and administrative burden on the government,” said Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, Eastern Range Director and Commander of Space Launch Delta 45, in a news release on June 3. This change aligns with congressionally mandated financial improvement and audit readiness requirements.

The past decade has seen a significant transformation in the space launch industry, marked by companies like SpaceX dramatically increasing launch frequencies. This rise has placed new demands on infrastructure initially designed for government missions during the Cold War era. Industry executives have voiced concerns that existing facilities may struggle to manage the anticipated surge, potentially impacting America's standing in the commercial space sector.

Jacobs Technology was chosen from four competing contractors for this indefinite-quantity, indefinite-delivery contract. "This contract will revolutionize operations, maintenance, sustainment, and systems engineering services at both ranges, paving the way for their evolution into high-capacity multi-user spaceports," the Space Systems Command affirmed in a statement.

According to Panzenhagen, the new contract will tackle the challenges of managing aging systems, which have grown more costly to operate and maintain. The objective is to facilitate "responsive and flexible operations, maintenance, and sustainment services" that will enhance capabilities at both the Eastern and Western Ranges.