Autonomous Space-Based Situational Awareness Software Development - Starling Mission Follow-On
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) intends to award a sole-source contract to EraDrive, Inc. for Autonomous Space-Based Situational Awareness Software Development for the Starling mission. This presolicitation seeks capabilities from other interested organizations by April 28, 2026, 5:00 PM PDT, to determine if a competitive acquisition is feasible.
Purpose & Scope
NASA/ARC requires software development services to enhance the Starling formation-flying mission. The contractor will develop and deliver software upgrades enabling autonomous swarm space situational awareness and control for four 6U CubeSats in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Key functionalities include resident space object identification and tracking, autonomous orbit determination, swarm geometry maintenance and reconfiguration, onboard conjunction assessment, and multi-satellite autonomous orbit determination using optical sensors. All software must execute autonomously on-orbit using the CubeSats' existing computational resources.
Contract Details
- Type: Presolicitation (Intended Sole-Source)
- Authority: FAR 6.302-1 (Only one responsible source)
- Intended Contractor: EraDrive, Inc.
- Reason for Sole-Source: EraDrive, Inc. holds proprietary autonomy software currently integrated into and operating on the Starling CubeSats. No other source possesses the technical data, codebase, or institutional knowledge required to perform this effort within the available performance window.
- Acquisition Method: Commercial product or service using FAR Part 12.
- Period of Performance: Date of award through January 20, 2027.
- Set-Aside: None specified.
- PSC: AJ12 - General Science And Technology R&D Services; General Science And Technology; Applied Research
- Place of Performance: Palo Alto, CA.
Response & Evaluation
Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications electronically to Joshua Taggart, Contracting Officer, at joshua.d.taggart@nasa.gov. Submissions are due by 5:00 PM PDT on April 28, 2026. Responses will be evaluated solely to determine whether to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete is solely within its discretion.
Additional Notes
NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable.