5 Things You Didn’t Know About the SHIELD Contract & Golden Dome — From an Awardee

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has begun awarding spots on a major new contract called SHIELD, short for Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense. This contract may reach $151 billion over the next ten years. More than 2,400 companies applied, and 1,014 were selected in the first round.

Alluvionic is pleased to announce it was awarded a contract for the Missile Defense Agency Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract with a ceiling of $151B. This contract encompasses a broad range of work areas that allows for the rapid delivery of innovative capabilities to the warfighter with increased speed and agility.

SHIELD is designed to support the government’s plan to build new systems that can better detect and defend against missile threats. It is one of the largest defense contract efforts ever created, and it will shape U.S. homeland defense for years to come.

Here are five things you might not know about the SHIELD contract, from the perspective of a newly selected awardee.

1. SHIELD Was Designed to Attract New Innovators, Not Just Traditional Defense Primes

Many defense contracts focus on long-established, large companies. SHIELD is different — it was built to bring in new voices, new technologies, and new ways of solving problems.

In total, over 2,100 companies have been awarded to date, including many small and medium-sized innovators with skills in:

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Complex hardware and software development
• Cybersecurity
• Data mining
• Systems engineering and architecture
• Systems integration

This approach encourages competition and fresh thinking. For a company like Alluvionic — known for blending engineering discipline with innovative problem-solving — this environment is the perfect fit. Our work supporting large modernization efforts, cybersecurity, and inventing cutting-edge defense technologies demonstrates our ability to help government programs move faster and smarter.

2. SHIELD Is the Behind-the-Scenes Engine Driving America’s New “Golden Dome” Defense System

SHIELD is the contract vehicle the government uses to fund and coordinate the work behind the Golden Dome.

The Golden Dome is a new U.S. homeland missile defense initiative inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome system. It was officially launched in early 2025 under Executive Order 14186, originally described as building an “Iron Dome for America.”

The Golden Dome’s Significance

• Missile threats are becoming faster and harder to track.
• Modern defense requires space-based sensors, not just ground systems.
• The U.S. wants a layered, flexible system that can detect, analyze, and respond in seconds.

The Golden Dome aims to connect satellites, radars, software, and data systems into one unified defense network. Because of its scale, the government needs many companies working together — which is exactly what SHIELD enables.

3. SHIELD Will Revolutionize the Space Force’s Next Generation of Space Technology

A large part of the Golden Dome relies on technology in space. The U.S. Space Force is expected to receive billions through SHIELD to build satellites that can detect threats earlier and more accurately.

This includes satellites that can:

• Spot rocket launches
• Track objects moving at high speeds
• Share data quickly with systems on the ground

This marks one of the biggest shifts in missile defense technology in decades, moving from slow, customized systems to faster, more flexible, and more affordable space assets.

With headquarters located just six miles from Patrick Space Force Base, Alluvionic regularly supports the U.S. Space Force on automation and process-improvement efforts nationwide. Our projects include the first-of-its-kind Rocket Launch Checklist Modernization initiative, which was honored by the Project Management Institute (PMI) as one of only six global finalists for Project of the Year.

4. The Biggest Challenge Isn’t Equipment — It’s Making Systems Work Together

Missile defense isn’t just about sensors or rockets. The hardest part is bringing all the data together in real time and making sure different systems can communicate.

Leaders across the industry say the central challenge is:
We have the data — but it’s not in the right place at the right time.

That’s where companies with strong technical and engineering skills can make a difference.

At Alluvionic, our experience includes:

• Advanced Research & Development
• Space and Missile Defense Support
• Systems Engineering & Program Management
• Cyber, Data, and Technical Integration
• Emergency Response & National Security Readiness

These capabilities directly support the kinds of problems the Golden Dome must solve: fast data, accurate decisions, and seamless communication between many systems.

5. SHIELD Encourages Rapid Development Instead of Years-Long Delays

Traditional defense programs often move slowly due to long approval chains and custom-built hardware. SHIELD is part of a larger effort to speed things up by:

• Allowing more competition
• Using open architecture (plug-and-play systems)
• Reducing vendor lock-in
• Encouraging modern software practices
• Supporting faster prototyping

Alluvionic’s combination of R&D, engineering, automation, cyber, and mission operations experience positions the company to contribute effectively to SHIELD task orders focused on modern missile defense, data integration, and rapid capability development.

From Alluvionic: What Being a SHIELD Awardee Means

As an awardee on the SHIELD IDIQ, Alluvionic is now eligible to compete for projects that may involve:

• Systems and digital engineering
• Data integration and analytics
• AI and automation
• Program and project management
• Technology modernization
• Systems integration and testing

Alluvionic’s blend of research, digital engineering, automation, and mission-focused program support uniquely aligns with SHIELD’s intent to bring innovative, flexible, and technically proven solutions into the nation’s next generation of missile defense.

We are excited to support this national effort and proud to be included among the companies helping shape the next generation of homeland missile defense.