Key Takeaways

  • The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has qualified 1,086 more companies to compete for future awards under its Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) program.
  • The new awards more than doubles the original pool of 1,014 firms granted an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) SHEILD contract.
  • The work to develop new tech and capabilities will continue through December 2035 if all options are exercised.

Strategic Implications

This expansion may indicate MDA’s commitment to diversifying its defense technology portfolio. The sheer scale of the SHIELD program suggests a significant investment in advanced technologies, which could benefit multiple contractors regardless of final award outcomes.