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This notice announces NASA JPL's intent to collaborate internationally on autonomy architecture for mining applications: - NASA JPL plans a non-exclusive agreement with Orica Australia Pty Ltd. to adapt and develop the NeBula autonomy architecture for mining industry use - Focus on hardware, software, and algorithm development for improved mining safety and efficiency - Integration and testing in both simulation and real-world mining environments - Orica will have first right of refusal for exclusive commercial IP rights on any patented IP developed - NASA seeks to identify other interested domestic or international entities for similar technical collaborations - No specific products, part numbers, or quantities are listed; this is not a solicitation for bids or proposals - The work supports NASA's robotics mission objectives and may involve field testing - Primary locations include NASA JPL in Pasadena, CA, and La Canada Flintridge, CA

1. Purpose of the Notice

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) hereby provides notice of its intent to enter into a non‑exclusive international agreement with Orica Australia Pty Ltd., headquartered in Victoria, Australia. The purpose of this prospective agreement is to adapt JPL’s NeBula autonomy architecture and develop autonomy capabilities (hardware, software, and algorithms) for Orica to integrate into their advanced blast services for the mining industry. This work will improve industry worker safety and mining efficiency, particularly in the realms of, mobility, manipulation, and sensing for surface and underground operations in the USA and globally. This work supports NASA’s future surface and subsurface robotics mission objectives, including future multi-agent missions.

This notice is issued to determine whether other domestic or international entities have interest in partnering with NASA JPL to pursue similar technical activities or programmatic objectives as those contemplated under the prospective agreement.

2. Background

Orica, a leading supplier of explosive services and technologies, aims to innovate tele-remote, automated, and autonomous operations in the harsh environments of open cut and underground mines. This initiative is essential as miners explore deeper and more remote mineral deposits, tasks that would not be safe for humans to carry out.

Their goal is to develop a fully autonomous blast loading system, requiring robust navigation and manipulation capabilities that JPL can provide, including GPS-denied navigation, autonomous planning, multi-agent orchestration and semantic reasoning. The proposed collaboration with Orica is intended to enhance the Nebula platform for remote mining applications and result in software and, potentially, hardware designs.

3. Scope of Potential Collaboration

The contemplated activities may include, but are not limited to:

Develop/adapt NeBula autonomy architecture and autonomy capabilities (hardware, software and algorithms) to meet Orica's needs for safe operations, mobility, manipulation, multi-agent coordination and sensing for their on-bench (surface) and underground operations  Develop software and systems, and test in simulation

Develop new hardware prototype designs

Integrate JPL-developed software and systems into Orica's systems and test in relevant field environments with new and existing hardware

Any resulting agreement will be non‑exclusive, and NASA JPL reserves the right to enter into similar agreements with other qualified entities. 

For any intellectual property (IP) developed by JPL under this partnership, the U.S. Government will reserve an irrevocable, royalty-free right to practice the invention or have it practiced on behalf of the United States or on behalf of any foreign government or international organization pursuant to any existing or future treaty or agreement with the United States. Orica will be given first right of refusal for exclusive commercial IP rights on any patented IP.

4. Expressions of Interest

Interested parties should submit a written expression of interest that includes:

Organization name, address, and point of contact information Description of relevant technical capabilities and experience Summary of proposed collaboration concept(s) aligned with the objectives described above Any additional information demonstrating the ability to meet NASA’s technical and programmatic needs

Responses must be submitted electronically to:

Michael Beltran - michael.beltran@jpl.nasa.gov  Small Business Programs Office: smallbusiness.programsoffice@jpl.nasa.gov 

Deadline for responses: Aprl 6, 2026 at 2 PM PT

5. Important Notices

This notice is not a Request for Proposals (RFP), Invitation for Bids (IFB), or Request for Quotations (RFQ). This notice does not constitute a commitment by the U.S. Government to enter into any agreement, contract, or other arrangement. No funds are available to support preparation of responses to this notice. NASA JPL will not reimburse any costs incurred in responding to this notice. Any agreement resulting from this process will be subject to applicable U.S. laws, regulations, and NASA policies.