# SAM #80NSSC27948394Q

NASA sole-source BP-1 lunar regolith simulant testing for touchdown simulations

**Buyer:** NASA Shared Services Center
**Posted:** October 30, 2026
**Respond By:** November 04, 2026
**Identifier:** 80NSSC27948394Q
**NAICS:** 541715, 541380

NASA is seeking urgent testing of lunar regolith simulant to support Human Landing System touchdown simulations.
- **Agency:** NASA, through the NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC); testing is to be performed at NASA Langley Research Center.
- **Acquisition approach:** NASA intends a sole-source award to Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA). The notice invites written capability statements; quotations are not requested or evaluated.
- **Services requested:** Test URGENT-BP-1/BP-1 lunar regolith simulant, including minimum and maximum void-ratio tests under ASTM D4254 and ASTM D4253, direct shear tests at six target densities, and at least one hydrostatic compression test.
  - Direct shear testing must use at least three normal forces at target densities of 1.500, 1.560, 1.600, 1.700, 1.735, and 1.800 kg/m3.
  - Hydrostatic compression testing must be at 1.800 kg/m3 and include at least five intermediate unloading cycles, three between 0.0 MPa and 1.0 MPa.
- **Key requirements and deliverables:** NASA provides the simulant. The contractor must use the same batch previously delivered under contract 6NSSC8P686, prepare and oven-dry samples using a NASA-approved procedure until mass stabilizes, and provide tabular and graphical results plus test data in Microsoft Excel format.
- **Sole-source rationale:** NASA says consistent material, equipment, procedures, and analysis methods are needed to compare the new results with ARA's earlier testing. Different methods or datasets could create risk for accurate landing-dynamics models.
- **Performance period:** Estimated 60 calendar days after contract award (the statement of work describes 60 calendar days from contract initiation).
- **Items and value:** No physical products, quantities beyond the single testing effort, part numbers, or estimated contract value are stated.

### Description

<p>** THIS IS A SOLE SOURCE REQUIREMENT ** for&nbsp;URGENT-BP-1 Lunar Regolith simulant Compressibility Testing</p>

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