SAM #99606e6a6ada455bb561d2fc6e1915d7

NASA Sole Source Intent: Lunar Regolith Geotechnical Analysis to University of Central Florida

NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is planning a sole source procurement for Lunar Regolith Geotechnical Finite Element Analysis and Subsurface Stress Analysis for Lunar Lander Footpads. - Intended sole source awardee: University of Central Florida (UCF), Center for Lunar and Asteroid Surface Science (CLASS) - Location: 3100 Technology Parkway, Suite 201, Orlando, FL - UCF is cited as the only responsible source due to: - Unique academic expertise and resources - Access to the Exolith testbed for large-scale lunar regolith simulant analysis - Ongoing joint research with NASA - The service is critical for the Artemis IV mission - Procurement is under FAR Part 12 as a commercial service - NASA is accepting capability statements from other organizations to assess competitive options, but intends to proceed with UCF - No specific part numbers or product quantities are listed; this is a specialized service requirement - Place of performance: Orlando, FL (UCF) and NASA Kennedy Space Center (contracting office) - Opportunity is not yet an award; it is a notice of intent to sole source

Description

NASA/KSC has a requirement for Lunar Regolith Geotechnical Finite Element Analysis, along with Subsurface Stress Analysis for Lunar Landar Footpads.

NASA/KSC intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire this service from the University of Central Florida (UCF), 3100 Technology Parkway, Suite 201, Orlando, Florida, 32826-3281, in accordance with FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source. NASA has worked jointly with UCF’s Center for Lunar and Asteroid Surface Science (CLASS) for regolith analysis.  UCF possesses the academic expertise and resources required for large lunar regolith simulant geotechnical analysis with their Exolith testbed.  Due to the critical analysis and results required in support of Artemis IV, UCF is the only facility capable of meeting the critical path schedule deadline as a result of ongoing joint research with NASA.

The Government intends to acquire a commercial service using FAR Part 12.

Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Joshua Giraud at joshua.giraud@nasa.gov no later than 8:00 AM ET on May 4, 2026. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at : https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf

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