Relationship to Other NextSTEP-3 Solicitations

Relationship to Other NextSTEP-3 Solicitations (Scope Boundary) Offerors should carefully note the distinction between the recently released Appendix A (Lunar Enabling Infrastructure Accelerator [LEIA]) and Appendix B (Moon Base Demonstrations).
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Appendix A (Technology Development) focuses on early research and componentto-system-level development (typically achieving up to TRL 5 or 6). It is intended for technologies that still require fundamental engineering maturation in laboratory or controlled analog environments.
Appendix B (Concept Demonstrations) is reserved for system-level integration and lunar demonstrations (TRL 6 and beyond). Technologies proposed under Appendix B must have already completed fundamental proof-of-concept and component development. Proposals here must focus on demonstrating integrated capabilities in relevant ground-based analogs and culminating in flight or lunar surface demonstrations.

Guidance to Offerors: If the proposed concept requires fundamental engineering maturation, component-level invention, or laboratory-based testing to advance toward TRL 6, it is considered out of scope for Appendix B and should be evaluated against the objectives of Appendix A. Conversely, if the system is mature enough (TRL 6+) to be integrated into an operational prototype for lunar surface deployment, it belongs in Appendix B. While both mechanisms include ground testing, Appendix B must show a path tied to flight and lunar surface demonstration.
If your effort…

→ Appendix A (LEIA)

→ Appendix B (Demonstrations)

Objective

Technology Development of
low-TRL concepts

Technology Demonstrations of
mid/high-TRL concepts

Demonstration
environment

Ground / lab / relevant test
only

Ground-analog AND lunar / inspace

Target maturity

Advance toward TRL 5–6

Mature TRL 6 → 7+

Process

Single-step proposal

Two-step: White Paper → invited
Proposal

Duration

≤ 3 years

Per phase structure

Notice ID

80GRC026R0008

80MSFC26R0003