The VADR contract has a maximum aggregate value of $300 million across all VADR contracts and is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity instrument with an ordering period through February 3, 2027. In compliance with the VADR’s on-ramp provision, NASA chose the new launch providers, enabling the organization to add additional capabilities that were neither recognized nor available at the time of the original award. In the event that launch services are required for upcoming agency and agency-sponsored missions, NASA will issue task orders with set prices.
The VADR contract is an extension of NASA’s earlier procurement initiatives, including VCLS (Venture Class Launch Services) and VCLS Demo 2. It offers a wide range of commercial launch services licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration that can carry Class D, CubeSats, and more risk-tolerant payloads to multiple orbits. These extremely flexible contracts provide as an excellent platform for supporting NASA’s science research and technology development while lowering launch costs by utilizing commercial best practices and a lower level of mission assurance.