Space Electronic Systems Prototype Development
Updated
Sources Sought from the Department of the Navy, for work in Washington, District of Columbia. Due Nov 6, 2026, 4:00 PM (UTC-5), 8 days left.
| Solicitation number | N00173-27-R-0001 |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of the Navy |
| Office | Naval Research Laboratory |
| 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 | AR13 |
| Place of performance | Washington, District of Columbia |
| Posted | Oct 28, 2026 |
| Response deadline | Nov 6, 2026, 4:00 PM (UTC-5) (8 days left) |
| Add the deadline to | Google Calendar · Apple / Outlook (.ics) |
Federal prevailing wage rates for this place: District of Columbia Davis-Bacon and SCA wage determinations.
Description
This is a presolicitation notice issued in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 5.101, Presolicitation notice, in preparation for the anticipated release of a Request for Proposal (RFP). This notice does not constitute an RFP, Request for Quotation, or Invitation for Bid. The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is not requesting proposals at this time.
NRL reserves the right to cancel this acquisition at any time. NRL anticipates issuing RFP No. N00173-27-R-0001, titled “Space Electronic Systems Prototype Development (SESPD) Phase III,” in the near future. This acquisition will be conducted through full and open competition in accordance with FAR Part 6, using competitive negotiated procedures under FAR Part 15.
The solicitation will specify the source selection procedures and evaluation criteria. The requirement will support NRL’s Spacecraft Engineering Division (SED) in conceiving, developing, integrating, testing, and demonstrating space and aerospace systems to meet Department of War (DoW), Department of the Navy, and national mission needs. The effort encompasses a broad range of space and airborne research and development (R&D) activities, including spacecraft electronics, experimental payloads, and mission systems.
The scope spans the system development lifecycle, from concept formulation and design through prototype development, integration, testing, operational demonstration, and transition to mission use. The contractor will provide multidisciplinary technical support, including systems engineering, prototype development, integration and testing, launch and mission operations support, data analysis, and documentation.
The resulting contract is anticipated to be an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract with a five-year ordering period. An initial task order with a two-year period of performance is anticipated to be issued at contract award. Task orders may include option periods, as appropriate.
This structure will support evolving R&D requirements and phased design, prototype development, integration, testing, and operational demonstration of spacecraft electronic systems. The anticipated aggregate level of effort is approximately 531,280 labor hours for task orders issued during the five-year ordering period. The effort will include a mix of labor categories and designated key personnel.
The total labor hours ultimately solicited and required may differ from this estimate. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541715 — Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). The applicable small business size standard is 1,000 employees.
The Product Service Code (PSC) is AR13 — Space R&D Services; Space Flight, Research and Supporting Activities; Experimental Development. Interested parties may submit questions or feedback concerning this notice by November 6th, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) to both of the following points of contact: Erica Turner, Contract Specialist: [email protected] Graham Irby, Contracting Officer: [email protected] Include “N00173-27-R-0001 – SESPD Phase III Presolicitation Notice” in the email subject line.
Telephone inquiries regarding this notice will not be accepted. The forthcoming solicitation will be available electronically only. No hard copies will be provided.
When issued, the solicitation and associated attachments will be available through SAM.gov Contract Opportunities at sam.gov.
Prospective offerors are responsible for monitoring SAM.gov for the solicitation, amendments, and other acquisition updates. Once the Request for Proposal has been posted, all responsible sources may submit a quotation, bid, or proposal, as appropriate, which will be considered by the agency. Prospective offerors must satisfy the System for Award Management (SAM) registration requirements specified in the solicitation and applicable regulations.
Registration information is available at sam.gov.
Contracting contact
- Erica N Turner · [email protected]
- Graham Irby · [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 Navy contracts (last 12 months): possible competitors, or partners to team with.
- Fluor Marine Propulsion, LLC $4.3 billion in this trade
- The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC $1.9 billion in this trade
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About the buyer
The Department of the Navy awarded $132.1 billion in contracts in the last 12 months; its biggest suppliers were Electric Boat Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation and RTX Corporation. See what Navy is buying now.
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences contracts right now
There are 274 open government contract opportunities in this trade (NAICS 541715), 46 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 Virginia. A notice in this trade gives a median of 60 days from posting to deadline; this one gives 9 days.
All open research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts
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From the award notices agencies publish.