# SAM #80ARC027C0002

NASA Ames sole-source award for HelioSwarm mission Phases C–F

**Buyer:** NASA Ames Research Center
**Posted:** November 04, 2026
**Identifier:** 80ARC027C0002
**NAICS:** 541715, 927110, 336414

NASA Ames supports a sole-source award to Southwest Research Institute for continued development and execution of the HelioSwarm mission.
- Award and scope
  - The justification supports contract 80ARC026C0001 with Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) for Phases C–F of NASA’s HelioSwarm Medium-Class Explorers mission.
  - The mission will investigate the three-dimensional, dynamic mechanisms governing plasma turbulence and supports objectives selected and funded by NASA Headquarters.
- Work involved
  - Phase C: complete detailed spacecraft and software design, produce hardware, code software, and prepare for the Critical Design Review.
  - Phase D: assemble, integrate, verify, and validate the mission systems, and support launch and commissioning.
  - Phase E: conduct mission operations and collect data.
  - Phase F: safely dispose of the mission assets and complete final reporting.
- Mission participants and equipment
  - Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation provides the Hub and Node spacecraft; the University of New Hampshire provides mission instruments.
  - No discrete quantities, part numbers, or separately priced products are identified.
- Period of performance: November 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027 (six months, as stated in the initial release summary).

### Description

<p>This notice provides the Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) supporting the sole-source award for HelioSwarm (HS) Medium-Class Explorers (MIDEX) mission. This mission is a transformative mission designed to explore the three-dimensional, dynamic mechanisms controlling the physics of plasma turbulence, a ubiquitous process occurring throughout the heliosphere and the plasma universe at large. The required period of performance is November 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027.</p>

<p>NASA/ARC has awarded Contract 80ARC027C0002 to Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(a)(1), &ldquo;Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.&rdquo; SwRI is the only responsible source capable of performing the requirements of this action because SwRI is the only responsible source that can continue to meet vital HS requirements and this procurement directly supports achieving mission objectives already selected and funded by NASA HQ.</p>

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