USAX Awarded U.S. Space Force Contract to Advance Its Provenance Engine

The USAX platform will help American leaders visualize capital flows, S&T and RDT&E, signal demand to industry and investors, and support co-investment decisions

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- USAX announces it has been awarded a Direct-to-Phase II contract by SpaceWERX valued at $1,488,444. The effort will advance the USAX Provenance Engine for potential U.S. Space Force applications.

SpaceWERX, the U.S. Space Force’s innovation arm and a division of AFWERX within the Air Force Research Laboratory, supports the Department of the Air Force’s SBIR/STTR programs as part of America’s Seed Fund. The programs fund feasibility studies, prototypes and technology maturation aligned with Guardian needs while supporting transition, commercialization and the U.S. defense industrial base.

Work began on Aug. 6, 2026, and is intended to advance capabilities supporting U.S. national defense.

“The U.S. Space Force and American leaders need the best visualization of capital flows. They need trusted analysis of S&T and RDT&E, and ways to signal demand to industry and investors. When those leaders are ready to decide, the decision must be defensible, backed by data and proof, and it must build institutional knowledge that stays with the mission and supports every co-investment decision. The Provenance Engine powering usax.com is built to deliver.”

“We see demand rising from leaders across the U.S. government, the Department of War, the intelligence community, and national labs. Outside government, we anticipate demand from U.S. pensions, institutions, and allied sovereign funds.”

“USAX is now eligible for SBIR Phase III awards that build on this effort. Phase III awards are sole source and can be made as contracts, IDIQs, or, where an office has OT authority, OTs. Any Department of War command, PEO, program office, or federal agency can fund one, and its contracting officer can award it directly. Leaders ready to put the Provenance Engine to work on their missions can request a capability briefing at usax.com.”

—Chad J. Grills
CEO, USAX

“The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of War, or the U.S. government.”

About USAX
USAX is a veteran-owned, Texas-based corporation. Its flagship technology, the Provenance Engine, powers the platform at usax.com. Investors include Champion Hill Ventures, a first-round investor in Anduril, Castelion, and True Anomaly. To request a capability briefing, contact info@usax.com or visit usax.com.

About SpaceWERX
SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a division of AFWERX, partners with startups, small businesses and nontraditional vendors to accelerate commercial space technologies for Guardians. Headquartered in Los Angeles, SpaceWERX connects industry innovation with defense needs to deliver capabilities faster. In partnership with Space Systems Command’s Commercial Space Office, SpaceWERX bridges innovation and acquisition to accelerate capability adoption. In fiscal year 2025, SpaceWERX awarded more than 300 contracts totaling $510 million. For more information, visit spacewerx.us.

About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory is the Department of the Air Force’s primary scientific research and development center and one of six centers within Air Force Materiel Command. AFRL leads the discovery, development and delivery of technologies for air, space and the multidomain. With a workforce spanning seven mission areas at more than 40 locations worldwide, AFRL conducts research ranging from basic science to advanced technology development. For more information, visit afresearchlab.com.

Company Press Contact:
Chad J. Grills
CEO, USAX
info@usax.com

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