Commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Development Program Phase 2 Industry Acquisition Update

Other / Unclassified

This document is an industry update regarding NASA's Commercial LEO Destination (CLD) Phase 2 Certification and Services acquisition. It provides an overview of the baseline acquisition strategy, key updates, and the evolutionary approach NASA plans to take.

This update is highly relevant for potential bidders interested in providing commercial Low Earth Orbit destinations and associated services. Key takeaways include:

• Baseline Strategy: NASA aims to purchase end-to-end mission services from commercial CLD operators, including crew/cargo transport, accommodation, and support for NASA missions and research.
• Acquisition Updates: Key changes include NASA providing government-furnished crew and cargo transportation, offering additional government-furnished services/equipment, and allowing interim short-duration missions.
• Transportation: Initially, NASA will provide transportation, but plans to transition to CLD end-to-end services. CLD providers can propose alternative transportation approaches.
• Evolutionary Approach: NASA will allow CLD providers to propose an evolutionary approach, with requirements for Minimum Initial Operating Capability (Min IOC) by December 2029 and Full Operating Capability (FOC) by December 2031. This includes continuous crew missions.
• Schedule: A notional schedule is provided, with a Draft RFP anticipated in June 2025 and a Final RFP in Fall 2025, leading to an award in Summer 2026.
• Key Dates: Important milestones include the LMCR Kickoff & Initial Decomp (Dec 2024), Refine Program Plans/Requirements (Mar 2025), and Workshops for Industry and IP feedback (July 2025).
• Industry Engagement: Upcoming touchpoints include a Requirements and Safety Workshop (Jan 2025) and an Industry Day prior to the Draft RFP.

Note: All content is considered draft and subject to change prior to the final RFP release.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to questions regarding NASA's Commercial LEO Destinations (CLD) Phase 2 procurement, offering clarifications on the procurement strategy, contract details, and operational plans.

• Commercial Viability Assessment: NASA will provide more information on specific metrics for assessing commercial viability at an industry forum and/or in the Draft RFP. The evaluation may consider a provider's ability to show viability beyond just a government customer and may account for incremental actual costs and prior R&D investments.
• Contract Type: NASA is currently anticipating a FAR Part 15-based contract, which may include IDIQ Task Orders. The agency plans to award none, one, or multiple awards based on funding and proposal merit. An "On-Ramp" clause is also anticipated.
• Phase 2 Procurement: NASA does not plan to compete additional Funded Space Act Agreements for Phase 2 development; it will be competed as a FAR-based contract.
• Private Capital Investment: NASA may consider private capital investments in hardware development when evaluating proposals, looking at their impact on financial capability and business case.
• Transportation Services: Initially, NASA plans to procure crew and cargo transportation directly from certified providers, but CLD Providers may propose alternative approaches. NASA will also reserve seats for International and/or non-NASA astronauts.
• Minimum Initial Operating Capability (IOC) & Full Operational Capability (FOC): Details on IOC (required by December 2029) and FOC (required by December 2031) are still being evaluated and will be provided at an industry forum and/or in the Draft RFP. NASA aims for continuous human presence in LEO by December 2030.

Many details regarding evaluation criteria, contract specifics, operational requirements, and timelines are still under evaluation and will be released in the Draft RFP and/or at upcoming industry forums. Bidders should monitor these future communications for comprehensive information.

Other / Unclassified

This document is an "Industry Acquisition Update" for NASA's Commercial LEO Destination (CLD) Phase 2 Certification and Services. It provides an overview of the acquisition strategy, challenges, and updates related to the development and certification of commercial space destinations in Low Earth Orbit.

This update is highly relevant for potential bidders interested in providing services for NASA's Commercial LEO Development Program. Key information for bidders includes:

• Acquisition Strategy: NASA intends to purchase end-to-end mission services, including crew training, transport, accommodation, and payload support. The strategy aims to maximize CLD partner involvement while NASA focuses on crew safety and mission objectives.
• Competition: A full and open competition among U.S. commercial providers is planned.
• Timeline: Key milestones include a Draft RFP in June 2025 (TBD), Final RFP in July 2025, and an award in Summer 2026. The LEO Transition Schedule indicates CLD Operations are expected to begin around 2029-2031.
• Requirements: A Minimum Initial Operating Capability (Min IOC) is required by December 2029, with full capability by December 2031. NASA will require a minimum of two astronauts continuously living in LEO by 2031.
• Updates: NASA will initially provide transportation for missions and is considering offering more support/services than previously planned, including potentially requiring NASA-provided Exploration subsystems.
• Industry Engagement: Ground rules for industry questions (submit via SAM.GOV), a Virtual Industry Day, and a Requirements and Safety Workshop are mentioned.
• Draft Status: All content is considered draft and subject to change prior to the final RFP release.