LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Space and Missile Systems Center awarded an Other Transaction (OT) to establish the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC), which will be managed by Advanced Technology International (ATI). The OT was awarded Nov. 2.
“We have been highly focused on initiating SpEC so that we can introduce timely solutions to today’s space challenges,” said Lt. Gen. John Thompson, program executive officer for Space and SMC commander. “Our ability to develop the most relevant space-related technology at every stage of the acquisition process is more critical every single day and this consortium is exactly the right tool for this task.”
SpEC will be made up of large and small organizations representing traditional and non-traditional defense contractors. The SpEC mission will include performing research, development, test and evaluation within prototyping projects that address DoD requirements for space systems.
“We are excited to be working with ATI on this awesome new venture. The anticipation within industry and government highlights the need to implement non-traditional approaches to today’s military space requirements,” said Col. John Anttonen, SMC’s Advanced Systems and Development director.
The SpEC OT effort directly addresses the former Secretary of the Air Force’s identified need for more rapid acquisition techniques in the Air Force and enables more responsive procurement of militarily relevant space prototypes.
SMC, located at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, Calif., is the U.S. Air Force's Center of Acquisition Excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems. Its portfolio includes the Global Positioning System, military satellite communications, defense meteorological satellites, space launch and range systems, satellite control networks, space based infrared systems and space situational awareness capabilities.
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