GAO denies Blue Origin and Dynetics protests of NASA's single Starship lander award

SpaceX/Starship HLS

The Government Accountability Office on July 30, 2021 rejected Blue Origin's and Dynetics' protests of NASA's award of a single Moon-lander contract to SpaceX. GAO concluded NASA's announcement allowed a single award, that limited funding justified it, and that proposals were evaluated fairly.

• GAO decision: 30 July 2021; rejected protests from Blue Origin and Dynetics challenging single-award strategy.
• Contract value: ~$2.94 billion to SpaceX for Starship HLS development; GAO found evaluation reasonable and consistent with procurement law.
• NASA confirmed limited HLS program funding justified single award; pledged to plan additional lander opportunities to maintain competition.