Space Communications and Networking (SCaN) & Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRS) Support
Updated
Sources Sought from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, for work in Huntsville, Alabama. Due Nov 5, 2026, 3:00 PM (UTC-6), 6 days left.
| Solicitation number | 80MSFC27ENG1026 |
|---|---|
| Agency | National Aeronautics and Space Administration |
| Office | NASA Marshall Space Flight Center |
| Notice type | Sources Sought |
| Set-aside | None |
| Trade (NAICS) | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715) |
| Product or service code | R425 |
| Place of performance | Huntsville, Alabama |
| Posted | Oct 29, 2026 |
| Response deadline | Nov 5, 2026, 3:00 PM (UTC-6) (6 days left) |
| Add the deadline to | Google Calendar · Apple / Outlook (.ics) |
Federal prevailing wage rates for this place: Alabama Davis-Bacon and SCA wage determinations.
Description
NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is hereby soliciting information from potential sources capable of providing engineering team support for Space Communications and Networking (SCaN) specifically focusing on mission?critical Ka?band communications services that ensure continuity of service for users of NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRS). The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) 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 in support of TDRS.
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. 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:
- SB Subcontracting goals;
- Barriers that may limit SB participation, such as certifications, unique technical requirements, security needs, specialized tools, or high-risk performance areas and/or
- Strategies to increase SB participation, including: • Breaking requirements into smaller components • Identifying areas appropriate for subcontracting • Considering teaming or mentor protégé approaches This requirement provides critical engineering skills, manpower, and technical capability support for NASA’s mission-critical Ka-band communications; providing continuity of service for TDRS users.
The engineering team supporting NASA is required to provide expertise and utilize developed tools and skills to support systems engineering, integration, verification, test, and operations in the deployment of NASA technology. The anticipated period of performance is two (2) years and is anticipated to include fewer than ten Work Year Equivalents (WYEs). All work is expected to be performed on-site at NASA/MSFC.
NASA/MSFC seeks information regarding contractor capabilities to provide the TDRS communications services and technical support described herein, including required clearances and experience. Requirement will include the following seven (7) major skill categories in support of TDRS: Materials and Mechanisms Propulsion and Thermal Control Systems Avionics, Power Systems, and Batteries Aerospace Flight Software and Guidance, Navigation, and Control Systems General Software and Infrastructure Systems Hardware Qualifications, Acceptance, and Functional Test Radio Frequency (RF) Communication (Comm) 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 parties should submit a capability statement in either Microsoft Word, PowerPoint or PDF format.
Files should not be greater than five (5) pages (no less than 12-point font) and contain the following information: Company name, address, point of contact, and business size (e.g., large, small, SB/WOSB/SDVOSB, etc.). Registration with GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) and state whether currently registered and provide contract vehicle information. Any relevant experience to MAS category Special Item Numbers (SIN) 541715 Engineering Research and Development and Strategic Planning.
Demonstrate capability to provide personnel to work in a classified environment at the Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) level. All personnel shall maintain a TS/SCI security clearance while supporting any future contract. Also demonstrate verified International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) compliance.
Description of relevant experience providing mission?critical TDRS Ka?band communications services specifically identifying any relevant NASA or GSA contract numbers under which work was performed. Any additional information that would assist NASA in understanding industry capability and readiness. All responses must be submitted electronically via email to the Contracting Officer, Cynthia Hubbard, at [email protected] no later than 4:00 P.M. CST November 5, 2027.
Please reference SCaN/TDRS Support 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.
Contracting contact
- Cynthia Hubbard · [email protected]
- Annette Hawkins · [email protected]
As published on the official notice. Ask questions in writing and before any questions deadline the notice sets.
Is your business small enough?
For NAICS 541715, a business counts as small if it has no more than 11 employees (SBA size standard, with exceptions in the notes). This notice is set aside, so only businesses under that size, or in the named program, can bid. SBA table, current as of Oct 15, 2026.
Companies that win this kind of work
Federal contractors paid for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences work, who also hold NASA contracts (last 12 months): possible competitors, or partners to team with.
- California Institute Of Technology $2.2 billion in this trade
- The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC $1.9 billion in this trade
- The Aerospace Corporation $1.1 billion in this trade
- Lockheed Martin Corp $817.1 million in this trade
- Booz Allen Hamilton Inc $791.0 million in this trade
About the buyer
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $16.6 billion in contracts in the last 12 months; its biggest suppliers were California Institute Of Technology, The Boeing Company and Blue Origin, LLC. See what NASA is buying now.
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences contracts right now
There are 278 open government contract opportunities in this trade (NAICS 541715), 49 posted in the last 7 days; 32% are set aside for small businesses. The agencies buying the most are Department of the Air Force, Department of the Army and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Most of the work with a stated place is in Maryland, District of Columbia and New Mexico. A notice in this trade gives a median of 56 days from posting to deadline; this one gives 7 days.
All open research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts
Coming up in this trade
Planned contracts from the agencies' procurement forecasts, often months before a solicitation. Plans can change.
Recent awards in this trade
- Yale Univ NEW Haven $8.6 million · Department of Veterans Affairs · Oct 29, 2026
- ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. $2.9 million · Environmental Protection Agency · Oct 29, 2026
- UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM Madison WI $1.8 million · Department of the Army · Oct 22, 2026
- The Sherwin-Williams Company $497,806 · Department of the Army · Oct 21, 2026
- Orefine LLC $1.9 million · Department of the Army · Oct 19, 2026
From the award notices agencies publish.