The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is gearing up for one of its largest upcoming R&D contracts focused on missile and space intelligence. The Contract Operations for Missile Evaluation and Testing (COMET) RFP is set to release on October 20, 2025. A draft RFP released in May outlined DIA’s intent to award a multi-award IDIQ supporting the Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC) at Redstone Arsenal, AL. Expect the final to closely track the draft.
The COMET program will fund research, development, and sustainment of advanced missile, space, and intelligence systems — supporting DIA, DoD, and national-level intelligence partners. With a five-year base and five-year option period, the vehicle will anchor DIA’s future missile and space R&D capabilities for the next decade.
With task orders expected to cover a wide range of missile, space, and defense R&D services, this opportunity will be a major vehicle for companies with TOP SECRET facility clearances and TS/SCI-cleared personnel.
Opportunity Snapshot
- Agency: Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)
- Program Office: Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC)
- Status: Pre-RFP (RFP expected 10/20/2025; closes 11/19/2025)
- Estimated Value: Not Yet Announced (anticipated multi-billion-dollar ceiling)
- Contract Type: IDIQ (FFP, CPFF, T&M task orders)
- Competition: Full & Open (20% Small Business Set-Aside)
- Duration: 5-year base + one 5-year option + 6-month extension
- NAICS: 541715 – R&D in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- PSC: AC23 – National Defense R&D; Atomic Energy Defense Activities
- Place of Performance: Redstone Arsenal, AL
- Security: TOP SECRET Facility Clearance; TS/SCI for Personnel
- Incumbent: New requirement (no incumbent contractor)
Why This Matters
COMET will be the flagship R&D and analysis contract supporting DIA’s Missile and Space Intelligence Center — the agency’s lead organization for evaluating foreign missile and space systems. Task orders are expected to span:
- Hardware and software R&D for missile and space systems
- Systems sustainment and integration
- Foundational Military Intelligence (FMI) analysis and production
- Analytical enabling services for the Defense Intelligence Enterprise
This vehicle will likely shape DIA’s next decade of missile and space intelligence capabilities — making early positioning and teaming critical before proposals are due in November.
How OST Can Help You Win
OST has helped clients win over $200B in federal contracts. For COMET, we can help you:
- Build a capture plan and proposal outline mapped to likely sections/evaluators
- Stand up compliant volumes fast (Tech, Mgmt, Staffing, Security, Past Perf)
- Facilitate teaming strategies and identify potential partners
- Run color teams/proposal rescue to raise scores under compressed timelines
- Deliver graphics and desktop publishing (DTP) support to produce polished, professional proposal packages that meet DIA’s strict formatting and design standards
If you’re pursuing COMET, let’s align pipeline, teaming, and compliance this week.
Schedule a Meeting to be Entered to Win an AI Proposal Writing Class
Schedule a strategy call with OST this week to discuss teaming, capture strategy, or proposal support for COMET – and be entered to win a free seat in our AI-Powered Proposal Writing Workshop (a $795 value).
