GAO Denies Sierra Nevada's NASA Spacecraft Contract Protest

Sierra Nevada's Dream Chaser (Credit: Sierra Nevada Corporation)

The Government Accountability Office has denied a legal challenge that was filed by the Sierra Nevada Corporation over a NASA contract award to SpaceX and Boeing for crewed commercial flights.

Sierra Nevada was one of three finalists for the Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) contract, which was ultimately awarded to Boeing and SpaceX. Sierra Nevadas bid was for its Dream Chaser an airplane-like spacecraft thats capable of landing on a runway to deliver astronauts to the ISS.

The company challenged NASAs decision to award a contract to its competitors based on factors including the cost of Boeings proposal and concerns over SpaceXs ability to meet the terms of its proposal to NASA.

In its decision which has not been fully released to the public due because, according to the GAO, it contains proprietary and source selection sensitive information the GAO rejected Sierra Nevadas arguments. In its statement, the GAO stated that it had reviewed the conclusions reached by NASA to determine if they were reasonable, and consistent with the evaluation approach NASA set out in its solicitation but made no conclusions as to the relative merits of each proposal.

In a statement issued earlier today, the Sierra Nevada thanked the GAO for reviewing its proposal, and stated its commitment to continue to develop the Dream Chaser spacecraft.

SNC remains fully committed to being a part of returning world-class human spaceflight and enhanced cargo capabilities to low-Earth orbit, the company said in its statement. In doing so, SNC firmly believes that the Dream Chaser will play a central role in shaping the future of space transportation with its unique capabilities which address a wide spectrum of needs.

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GAO Denies Sierra Nevada's NASA Spacecraft Contract Protest