SES AWARDED COMSATCOM PATHFINDER CONTRACT

SES AWARDED COMSATCOM PATHFINDER CONTRACT
Share

MCLEAN, VA, July 22, 2014 -- Global satellite solutions provider SES Government Solutions (SES GS) has been awarded an $8,245,160 firm-fixed-price COMSATCOM Pathfinder contract by the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) based in Los Angeles, California. The contract will provide on-orbit transponders to support Ku-band communications for U.S. Africa Command.

Pathfinder is viewed as an innovative business model available to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for the acquisition of critical communications infrastructure. This model allows the DoD to pre-commit to the use of commercial satellite transponders for multiple years and therefore lowers the cost when compared to the traditional O&M leasing approach. With this award, SES GS will provide inclined satellite capacity while the U.S. Government takes advantage of the reduced cost.

Tip Osterthaler, President and Chief Executive Officer of SES GS noted, "The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center should be applauded for once again challenging the traditional paradigm and uncovering a new and cost effective solution to meet their SATCOM requirements. Because of these efforts, critical commercial communication satellite capability in an area of high demand is secured for the remaining life of the satellite with the cost benefits offered by this alternative to one-year contracting."

For further information please contact:

Nicole Robinson
Corporate Vice President, Communications & Government Affairs
SES Government Solutions
[email protected]

About SES Government Solutions

SES Government Solutions, a subsidiary of global satellite operator SES, is exclusively focused on meeting the satellite communications needs of the U.S. Government. Leveraging more than three decades of experience in the government SATCOM market, SES Government Solutions offers robust and secure satellite-based communications solutions. Supported by SES's fleet of over 50 satellites offering comprehensive global coverage, SES Government Solutions offers highly reliable fixed and on-the-move capacity.

The Pathfinder RFI should be viewed as an additional business model available to DoD for the acquisition of critical communications infrastructure utilizing an alternative funding source to the traditional, O&M leasing of COMSAT, enhanced by the risk-reducing and costs-saving benefits inherent to the proposed multiyear and pre-commit authorities.