Press SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell on Nov. 9 explained that the contract pays for launch services but also covers expenses for infrastructure and other items required for national security launches.
The $316 million contract was the first awarded to SpaceX under the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 launch service procurement.
The other provider selected in this program, United Launch Alliance, was awarded $337 million to launch two missions comparable to the one awarded to SpaceX.
Source: SpaceX explains why the U.S. Space Force is paying $316 million for a single launch – SpaceNews
