Overview

• The Missile Defense Agency moved the SHIELD proposal due date from Oct. 10 to Oct. 16 after receiving more than 1,500 industry questions, citing the volume of answers for companies to review rather than major solicitation changes.
• SHIELD is a 10‑year, up‑to‑$151 billion indefinite‑delivery, indefinite‑quantity contract that anchors procurement for the Golden Dome missile‑defense effort.
• The administration envisions layered defenses using interceptors on Earth and in orbit against ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic threats, with Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein overseeing the effort and prototype bids for space‑based interceptors requested in September.
• Funding and cost estimates remain far apart, with $25 billion appropriated so far, the president citing about $175 billion, and a CBO analysis projecting $542 billion to $831 billion over 20 years.
• Experts warn the architecture—especially space‑based interceptors—will be technically complex and costly, and a SpaceNews op‑ed highlights geopolitical risks and allied buy‑in debates, including a claimed $71 billion ask to Canada to participate.