SAM #80NSSC27947883Q

NASA seeks EXCITE balloon mission gondola integration and flight support capability statements

NASA is assessing whether to compete specialized integration and science-flight support for its EXCITE balloon mission. - Agency and mission: NASA/NSSC is seeking support for the EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope (EXCITE) Balloon Mission Gondola System, with work at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and NASA long-duration balloon facilities. - Procurement approach: NASA intends to pursue a sole-source award to STARSPEC TECHNOLOGIES INC, identified in the notice as the sole provider. It is requesting capability statements to determine whether competition is appropriate; this is not a request for quotes, and quotes will not be evaluated. - Technical scope: Verify gondola flight readiness and laboratory pointing; check telemetry links with Starlink, Iridium, and TDRSS; verify motors, mechanisms, control loops, and sensors; and tune the pointing system in flight using reference stars and, if applicable, science targets. - Field and personnel requirements: Provide in-person compatibility, launch, and commissioning support at NASA balloon facilities. Personnel must be approved to travel to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, for the FY27 summer season and have detailed knowledge of the gondola’s mechanical, electrical, and software systems and interfaces. - Mission timing: Support is for the 2026/2027 science flight. The stated period of performance is November 20, 2026, through December 31, 2027. - Response deadline: Capability statements are due by 12:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on November 2, 2026. Responses must reference the notice ID; oral responses are not accepted. - Products and quantities: No separate products, quantities, or part numbers are specified.

Description

 SPECIAL NOTICE:

VENDORS MUST REFERENCE THE NOTICE ID WHEN SUBMITTING A CAPABILITY STATEMENT.

NASA/NSSC has a requirement for Integration and flight support for EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope (EXCITE) Balloon Mission Gondola System science flight. 

NASA/NSSC intends to issue a sole source contract to STARSPEC TECHNOLOGIES INC 402 Harmony Road Units 8-11 Ayr, Ontario N0B 1E0 Canada under the authority of FAR 12.102(a). It has been determined that STARSPEC TECHNOLOGIES INC is the sole provider of Integration and flight support for EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope (EXCITE) Balloon Mission Gondola System science flight.

NASA/NSSC will be the procuring center for this effort. Performance will be located at NASA/ Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).

The Government intends to acquire Commercial items or services using the provisions, clauses and procedures prescribed in FAR Part 12 for Commercial

The NAICS Code for this procurement is 541715.

Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 12:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on 11/2/2026. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government.

Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.

NOTE: Quotes received in response to this notice will NOT be considered and will not be evaluated by NASA’s Technical End User Team. We are currently only requesting Capability Statements.

NASA FAR Supplement 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 .

Primary Point of Contact:

Laura Quave

Procurement Specialist II

laura.a.quave@nasa.gov

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