SD Government (SDG), the division of Gogo providing satellite communications to global governments, has received a five-year federal contract to deliver multi-band, multi-orbit airborne global satellite communications to a US government agency.
The new agreement, initially valued at USD$3m, is a follow-on from Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III activity originally undertaken by SDG, prior to the merger with Gogo.
Awarded as a sole-source contract, the agreement will see the agency consolidate all aero communications across its fleet to this single contract over the next five years. With the consolidation of multiple contracts into a single contract, procurement time and complexity are dramatically reduced. In addition, the agreement allows users to focus resources on the mission rather than managing diverse contracts and vendors.
This is the first SDG government contract to optimise the company’s integrated multi-orbit, multi-band, multi-network capabilities. The deal also includes provision for the government to add new technology and services as they become available over the life of the contract.
The agency’s missions demand consistent, reliable high-bandwidth satellite connections in every theatre of operations globally, as well as the highest encryption levels for secure communication and data transfer. SDG said its experience in the government and defence markets, combined with its ability to deliver 24/7/365 expert customer support, will ensure the customer retains consistent critical mission connectivity.
As the contract’s full scope is realised, it will employ Gogo’s air-to-ground networks, low-Earth orbit (LEO), medium-Earth orbit (MEO), high-Earth orbit (HEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO) constellations for Ku- and Ka-band connectivity as required.
“We are proud that the US government has chosen SDG to deliver this mission-critical connectivity,” said Hayden Olson, head of SDG. “The customer agency will benefit from our extensive expertise, support, and cybersecurity expertise, along with our agnostic ability to provide the best-performing connections and terminals across multiple orbits on its diverse fleet of aircraft. We are providing a simple, seamless solution for the agency to procure resilient airborne communications. The streamlined access to all types of connectivity will enable seamless procurement and support, which is extremely valuable to a busy government agency.”
