The new contracts are part of the Future COMSATCOM Services Acquisition (FCSA) program, and include two categories, “Transponded Capacity” as well as “Subscription Services.” With these two agreements, the U.S. Government will be able to contract directly with the global satellite operator to obtain communications capability and services on SES’ fleet of 44 geostationary communications satellites positioned to cover 99 percent of the world’s population.
Additionally, these contracts enable others in the defense industry to partner with SES WORLD SKIES to power government communications missions around the world. FCSA represents a new way of doing business with the U.S. Government, and is a result of a collaborative effort between the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) to provide agreements that enable the U.S. Government to contract with the satellite industry to meet a variety of satellite communications requirements.
Tip Osterthaler, President and CEO of SES WORLD SKIES USG Solutions noted, “GSA and DISA are to be applauded for their vision and effort to provide a means for the U.S. Government to expand its communications capabilities through commercial industry providers and satellite operators. We’re pleased to have an additional means through which we can continue to provide bandwidth and services to meet a wide variety of government needs.”