Continuing the trend of Program/IDIQ consolidation in the federal space, The GSA released the ASTRO IDIQ. ASTRO is MAC vehicle created to meet the requirements of warfighters, scoped in collaboration with U.S. Combatant Commands. It is intended to supplement DoD capabilities to ensure interoperability, flexibility and assurance on the modern-day battlefield.
Sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD), The program will be managed by GSA’s Federal Systems Integration and Management Center (FEDSIM). ASTRO is a FEDSIM-only program (not Government-wide), 
and likely will only allow ordering via FEDSIM.
The contract vehicle’s scope covers a comprehensive assortment of products and services focused on the development, integration, operation, maintenance and support of unmanned/manned/optionally manned systems, robotics, and various platforms. The requirements represent a significant sum of spending that is expected to increase over the coming years. The contracts are projected to support a 10-year ordering phase.
Platforms consist of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR). This is comprised of services for data collection, data analysis, data visualization, and automation. The ISR systems, robotics, and platforms may be based on land, air, sea, and/or space. ASTRO’s scope also covers maintenance/repair of manned, unmanned, optionally manned systems, robotics, and platforms as well as the equipment that supports them.
The statement of work (SOW) is divided into the following domains: Operations, Data Operations, Data Operations as a Service, Mission Operations, Mission Operations as a Service, Maintenance/Readiness, Development/Systems Integration, Support, Business Support, Mission Support, and Research and Development.
Similar to OASIS, ASTRO is divided in service sub-categories/pools, each of which function as a distinct multiple award IDIQ contract. Vendors need to be approved for each pool to be able to bid on task orders within that pool. FEDSIM is managing task orders covering all contract categories including cost reimbursement, firm fixed price, and time plus materials. The pools include: Data Operations, Mission Operations, Aviation, Space, Maritime, Ground, Development/Systems Integration, Research, Support and Training.
A single vendor may compete for more than one ASTRO Pool. The Pools are listed below:
1. Data Operations Pool:
Function: Data Operations includes all data collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination activities associated with manned, unmanned, and optionally manned systems, robotics, and platforms supporting mission performance for land, air, sea, or space. This includes traditional labor services as well as “as a service” support.
The NAICS Code for this acquisition is: 541990
The small business size standard is: $16.5 Million
Maximum number of multiple awards: 45
2. Mission Operations Pool:
Function: Mission Operations includes all non-data collection and analysis services associated with manned, unmanned, and optionally manned systems, robotics, and platforms supporting mission performance for land, air, sea, or space. This includes traditional labor services as well as “as a service” support.
The NAICS Code for this acquisition is: 541990
The small business size standard is: $16.5 Million
Maximum number of multiple awards: 45
3. Aviation Pool:
Function: Maintenance, repair, and overhaul of manned, optionally manned, and unmanned aircraft and aircraft-related systems and platforms
The NAICS Code for this acquisition is: 488190
The small business size standard is: $35 Million
Maximum number of multiple awards: 45
4. Space Pool:
Function: Maintenance, repair, and overhaul of manned, optionally manned, and unmanned space and space-related systems and platforms
The NAICS Code for this acquisition is: 488190
The small business size standard is: $35 Million
Maximum number of multiple awards: 45
5. Maritime Pool:
Function: Maintenance, repair, and overhaul of manned, optionally manned, and unmanned maritime and maritime related systems and platforms
The NAICS Code for this acquisition is: 336611
The small business size standard is: 1,250 employees
Maximum number of multiple awards: 45
6. Ground Pool:
Function: Maintenance, repair, and overhaul of manned, optionally manned, unmanned ground and ground related systems and platforms, and Industrial Machinery
The NAICS Code for this acquisition is: 488490
The small business size standard is: $8 Million
Maximum number of multiple awards: 45
7. Development/Systems Integration Pool:
Function: Systems integration, systems improvement, and/or systems engineering associated with manned, unmanned, and optionally manned systems and platforms that falls under one of the NAICS code exceptions for NAICS 541330 for land, air, sea, or space.
The NAICS Code for this acquisition is: 541330 Exception A/B/C
The small business size standard is: $41.5 Million
Maximum number of multiple awards: 45
8. Research Pool:
Function: All research and development associated with manned, unmanned, optionally manned, and counter UxS systems and platforms for land, air, sea, or space.
The NAICS Code for this acquisition is: 541715
The small business size standard is: 1,000 Employees
Maximum number of multiple awards: 45
9. Support Pool:
Function: All the programmatic services required for successful execution of a product, program, project, or process regarding platforms, robotics, and/or systems for land, air, sea, or space.
The NAICS Code for this acquisition is: 541990
The small business size standard is: $16.5 Million
Maximum number of multiple awards: 45
10. Training Pool:
Function: All the training services (including flight training) required for successful execution of a product, program, project, or process regarding platforms, robotics, and/or systems for land, air, sea, or space.
The NAICS Code for this acquisition is: 611699
The small business size standard is: $12 Million
Maximum number of multiple awards: 45
PARTICIPATING NAICS for ASTRO IDIQ
485999 – All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation
541360 – Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services
541370 – Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services
624230 – Emergency and Other Relief Services
541715 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
541713 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (new in 2017)
541611 – Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
541614 – Process; Physical Distribution; and Logistics Consulting Services
541618 – Other Management Consulting Services
541690 – Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
611512 – Flight Training
611699 – All Other Miscellaneous Schools and Instruction
336411 – Aircraft Manufacturing
541380 – Testing Laboratories
481211 – Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation
481212 – Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation
336611 – Ship Building and Repairing
488390 – Other Support Activities for Water Transportation
811310 – Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance
488190 – Other Support Activities for Air Transportation
488490 – Other Support Activities for Road Transportation
488999 – All Other Support Activities for Transportation
115310 – Support Activities for Forestry
541922 – Commercial Photography
These are some of the newer solicitations on ASTRO and represent each of the NAICS above:
| 80NSSC20Q0266 | ASTRO | ASTRO2 | ASTRO3 |
| ASTRO4 | ASTRO5 | ASTRO6 | ASTRO7 |
| ASTRO8 | ASTRO9 | ASTRO10 | ASTRO11 |
| ASTRO12 | ASTRO13 | ASTRO14 | ASTRO15 |
| ASTRO16 | ASTRO17 | ASTRO18 | ASTRO19 |
| ASTRO20 | ASTRO21 | ASTRO22 | ASTRO23 |
| ASTRO24 | ASTRO25 | ASTRO26 |
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– Bryan Fox, EZGovOpps Market Intelligence