SAM #80ARC026LTCS

NASA Ames Research Center Seeks University Lunar Tracking and Communications Services

NASA Ames Research Center (ARC), part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), is seeking university partners for lunar tracking and communications services to support lunar and cislunar missions. - Government Buyer: - NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific OEMs or vendors are named; universities with antenna and ground system capabilities are targeted - Products/Services Requested: - Lunar Tracking and Communications Services - Antenna-based communications and tracking for cislunar space, lunar orbit, NRHO, and lunar surface missions - Ground system support - Limited mission integration for compatibility and onboarding - Deliverables: service capability descriptions, operations plans, integration packages, test records, schedules, event logs, monthly reports, and final summary - Unique/Notable Requirements: - University ownership of suitable antenna and ground systems - Ability to provide both communications/tracking and mission integration support - Excludes broad research or analytical tasks unrelated to operational service provision - NASA requests capability statements from interested parties, including Small Businesses and Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions, to inform competition and subcontracting goals

Description

NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) is hereby soliciting information from potential sources for the University Provided Lunar Tracking and Communications Services contract. A draft statement of work (SOW) is provided for information and planning.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) ARC is seeking capability statements from all interested parties, including all socioeconomic categories of Small Businesses (SB) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)/Minority Institutions (MI) for the purposes of determining the appropriate level of competition and/or small business subcontracting goals for University Provided Lunar Tracking and Communications Services. Vendors are encouraged to demonstrate capabilities as a prime, subcontractor and/or teaming partner. The Government reserves the right to consider a Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), HUBZone, Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, and Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) business set-aside based on responses received.

NASA seeks to acquire operational communications and tracking services from a university possessing antenna and associated ground system capabilities suitable for satellite communications service delivery for lunar and cislunar mission support. In addition to service provision, limited mission integration support may be required to onboard supported missions and ensure compatibility with the university’s service capability.

Respondents are requested to provide informed input on realistic and appropriate SB subcontracting and/or participation goals for the specific requirement. This type of feedback supports NASA’s market research and helps ensure the acquisition strategy is aligned with actual industry capability. Industry feedback is requested for:

1. SB Subcontracting goals;

2 Barriers that may limit SB participation, such as certifications, unique technical requirements, security needs, specialized tools, or high-risk performance areas and/or

3. Strategies to increase SB participation, including:

• Breaking requirements into smaller components

• Identifying areas appropriate for subcontracting

• Considering teaming or mentor protégé approaches

No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov. Interested firms are responsible for monitoring this website for the release of any presolicitation or solicitation notice.

Interested firms having the required capabilities necessary to meet the above requirement described herein should submit a capability statement of no more than 10 pages indicating the ability to perform all aspects of the effort. Your capability package should reflect your qualifications to accomplish the SOW and discuss your familiarity with similar efforts.

Please advise if the requirement is considered a commercial or commercial-type product. A commercial product and commercial service is defined in FAR Part 2, Definitions.

All responses must be submitted electronically via email to Erik Whitehill at Erik.C.Whitehill@nasa.gov no later than September 26, 2026 5:00 PM EDT. Please reference 80ARC026LTCS in any response.

This sources sought notice is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.

Respondents deemed fully qualified will be considered in any resultant solicitation for the requirement. 

NASA intends to publicize a listing of respondents to facilitate teaming arrangements. Should your firm desire not to be included in this listing, clearly indicate this desire in your response.

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