Draft RFP and Pre-solicitation Synopsis: Engineering Services and Science Capability Augmentation (ESSCA) II

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Virtual Industry Briefing for the Engineering Services and Science Capability Augmentation (ESSCA) II acquisition, related to a Draft Request for Proposal (DRFP) with solicitation number 80MSFC26R0002. The primary purpose of the contract is to acquire engineering and science skills augmentation support and related services for the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), including the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) and Stennis Space Center (SSC). The scope also includes potential support for NASA Headquarters and other NASA Centers. The briefing aims to highlight key requirements of the DRFP and serve as an aid in proposal preparation.

• Contract Type: Hybrid Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract, allowing for Cost-Plus-Award-Fee (CPAF), Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF), and Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) task/delivery orders.

• NAICS Code: 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences).

• Size Standard: 1,300 employees.

• Work Categories: Skills augmentation support and end-item deliverables.

• Performance Work Statement (PWS) Elements: Includes Contract Scope, Contract Management Operations and Control (e.g., Program Management, Planning and Control, Facilities, ATOMS Suite, Order Management, Financial Management, Contractor Procurements, Technology/Innovation, Phase-In/Out, Technical Direction, IT Purchase Authorization, Section 508 Compliance, Records Management), Contract Major Skill Categories (e.g., Aerosciences, Avionics, Flight Software, Materials Research, Operability, Optics, Propulsion, Scientific Disciplines, Structural/Mechanical, Systems Analysis, Test Design, Thermal/Fluids), and End-Item Deliverables (e.g., concepts of operations, trade studies, designs, analyses, hardware, software, training, operating manuals).

• Key Deliverables: Products may include concepts of operations, trade studies, designs, analyses, hardware, software, training materials, and operating manuals.

• Special Requirements: Includes adherence to Section 508 Compliance, IT Purchase Authorization, Records Management, Safety and Health regulations, and potential Top Secret facility clearance for offerors.

• Maximum Potential Value: $3,248,200,000 (including options).

• Period of Performance: Includes a phase-in period (not to exceed 4 months), a 5-year base ordering period, and a 3-year optional ordering period, with a 6-month option to extend services (FAR 52.217-8).

  • Phase-in: October 1, 2026 - January 31, 2027
  • Base Ordering Period: February 1, 2027 - January 31, 2032
  • Optional Ordering Period: February 1, 2032 - January 31, 2035
  • Option to Extend Services: February 1, 2035 - July 31, 2035

• CLIN Structure: Detailed CLINs for Phase-In, Base Ordering Period, Optional Ordering Period, and Option to Extend Services are provided, with varying contract types (CPAF, CPFF, FFP).

• Proposal Submission: Full and open competition. Proposals are tentatively due January 15, 2026, but the schedule is being re-planned. Proposals are to be submitted in four volumes: Mission Suitability (175 pages), Cost (No Page Limit), Past Performance (50 pages), and Contract (No Page Limit). Attachment L-2 (Past Performance Questionnaire) is excluded from page limits.

• Evaluation Factors: Best value tradeoff between Mission Suitability, Cost, and Past Performance. Mission Suitability is the most important individual factor, followed by Past Performance, then Cost. Mission Suitability and Past Performance combined are significantly more important than Cost.

• Mission Suitability Subfactors: Management and Technical Approach (450 points), Workforce Sustainment and Total Compensation (400 points), and Small Business (150 points).

• Cost Volume: Will be evaluated using an Excel Pricing Model (EPM). Offerors must use the provided model and not alter WYE requirements or skill mix. Consistency between Mission Suitability and Cost volumes is critical.

• Past Performance: Evaluated based on federal, state, local government, and private contracts within the last five years, with a minimum of 12 months of performance. Limited to six described contracts/subcontracts. Not numerically scored, but assessed using adjectival ratings.

• Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI): An OCI Plan is required with the proposal and will be evaluated as an eligibility requirement.

• Small Business Goals: Specific subcontracting goals are outlined for various socioeconomic categories, including Small Business (40.0%), WOSB (10.0%), SDB (5.0%), VOSB (6.0%), SDVOSB (5.0%), HUBZone (3.5%), and HBCU/MI (0.6%).

• Small Business Subfactor: A small business prime will automatically receive 150 points for the Small Business subfactor.

• The final solicitation will take precedence over any remarks in this briefing.

• Acquisition schedule and contract period dates are subject to change; monitor SAM.gov for updates.

• Questions/comments must be submitted electronically by December 15, 2025, 2:00 p.m. CT.

• Industry briefing charts and attendee lists will be posted to SAM.gov.

• NASA MSFC intends to align the ESSCA II acquisition with regulatory changes from the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul.

Other / Unclassified

This document is an attendee list for the "80MSFC26R0002 ESSCA II Virtual Industry Day". It provides the names, companies, and contact information for individuals who attended the virtual event.

This list can be valuable for potential bidders by identifying key personnel and companies that participated in the industry day. It offers direct contact information for networking, follow-up inquiries, and understanding the competitive landscape or potential teaming partners related to the ESSCA II opportunity.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an "Interested Parties List" dated as of December 15, 2025, for the ESSCA II opportunity. It serves to identify companies that have expressed interest in the opportunity.

• Lists company names.
• Provides optional contact names.
• Includes phone numbers.
• Provides email addresses for contacts.

This list can help potential bidders identify other interested parties, potential teaming partners, or competitors for the ESSCA II opportunity. It provides contact information for companies that have already shown interest.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment J-12-A Installation Accountable Property List.xlsx", provides a detailed list of accountable property associated with the installation. This list is likely intended for bidders to understand the existing assets or equipment that may be relevant to the opportunity, potentially for inventory, maintenance, or transfer purposes.

The spreadsheet contains the following columns:

• Equipment Control Number
• Item Name
• Manufacturer
• Model number
• SerialNo.
• End User Org Code
• FSC Code

Bidders should review this list to understand the scope of government-furnished property or existing assets that may be part of the contract requirements. This information is crucial for assessing the resources already in place and any potential responsibilities related to managing, maintaining, or accounting for this property.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation (Solicitation Number: 80MSFC26R0002) for services related to the MSFC, SSC, and other NASA centers. It outlines a single-award, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract for skills augmentation support and end-item deliverables.

• Skills Augmentation Support: Provided via Task Orders (TOs), potentially using Cost-Plus-Award-Fee (CPAF) or Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract types. This includes support for MSFC/SSC and Other Centers.

• End-Item Deliverables: Provided via Delivery Orders (DOs), potentially using Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) or Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract types for MSFC end-item deliverables.

• Performance Work Statement (PWS): Detailed in Attachment J-1.

• Data Requirements: As identified in the Data Requirements List (DRL) of the Data Procurement Document (DPD).

• Security: Requires access to classified information (up to Top Secret) and compliance with NASA IT security requirements.

• Other Requirements: Includes packaging and marking, inspection and acceptance, contract administration, and special contract requirements.

• Contract Type: Single-award, IDIQ.

• Period of Performance: The contract period is from 10/01/2026 through 01/31/2032, with potential for extension.

• Maximum Potential Value: The maximum potential not-to-exceed (NTE) value, including options, is $3,248,200,000.

• Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs): Various CLINs are defined for different phases (Phase-In, Base Ordering, Optional Ordering) and types of work (Skills Augmentation, End-Item Deliverables), with different contract types (FFP, CPAF, CPFF).

• Proposal Submission Deadline: Offers are due by 2:00 PM CT on 1/15/2026.

• Evaluation Criteria: Not explicitly detailed in the provided sections, but typically includes factors outlined in Section M.

• Period for Acceptance: Offers are valid for 60 calendar days from the receipt date.

• No specific set-aside information is immediately apparent in the provided sections.

• The document includes numerous FAR and NFS clauses incorporated by reference and in full text.

• Potential organizational conflicts of interest (OCI) are noted, particularly concerning skills augmentation and access to proprietary information.

• Specific requirements for employee badging at Stennis Space Center are included.

• The document references several attachments (J-1, J-7, J-12, J-13, J-20, J-24) which contain further details.

Forms / Attachments / Pricing Sheets

This Excel file, "80MSFC26R0002 ESSCA II DRFP Attachment L-1 Excel Pricing Model.xlsx", serves as the Pricing Model (Attachment L-1) for the ESSCA II DRFP (80MSFC26R0002). Offerors are instructed to complete all areas highlighted in yellow within this workbook to ensure an accurate proposal submission.

The pricing model is structured across multiple sheets, each detailing specific cost components:

• Index: Provides an overview of the workbook's tabs and general instructions.
• Tab A (Summary of Total Cost Calculated): Summarizes the total contract cost, including phase-in, labor, subcontracting, and Other Direct Costs (ODCs). It is linked to other tabs and largely auto-populates.
• Tab B (IDIQ Rate Development): Used by offerors and subcontractors to detail the development of fully burdened labor rates. This includes mapping labor categories, applying fringe, overhead, CMO, and G&A rates, and calculating individual contractor/subcontractor costs based on assigned hours.
• Tab C (Productive Hours per WYE Conversion Table): Identifies proposed productive hours per labor category for each contract year and requires notes on calculation methodology.
• Tab D (Contract Management Overhead Rate Development): For the prime offeror to compute a Contract Management Overhead (CMO) rate.
• Tab E (Schedule of Overhead, G&A and Other Indirect Rates Calculation): Provides insight into the composition of proposed indirect rates and requires cost history.
• Tab F (Fringe Benefit Rate Calculation/Detail): Details the development of the fringe benefit rate.
• Tab G (Composite IDIQ Rate Development by Year): For the prime offeror to develop composite IDIQ rates by contract year and center.
• Tab H (Cognizant Audit Office Form): Identifies the Cognizant Audit Agency.
• Tab I (Table of WYE Distributed by Percentage): For the prime to account for the distribution of prime/subcontractors by labor category.
• Tabs B-1 through B-11 (IDIQ Rates Development by Center): Specific sheets for various NASA centers (MSFC, AFRC, ARC, GRC, GSFC, HQ, JSC, KSC, LaRC, MAF, SSC) for detailed labor rate development.
• Tab C - Prod Factor: Contains a productive hours conversion table.
• Tabs D, E, F, G, H: Further detail CMO, Indirect Rates, Fringe Benefits, Composite IDIQ Rates, and Cognizant Audit Office information.

This document is critical for bidders to accurately calculate and present their proposed costs. It outlines the required format for labor rates, indirect costs, and overall pricing structure. Offerors must pay close attention to the highlighted yellow fields and ensure all calculations are consistent across the various tabs and with other proposal sections.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Draft Request for Proposal (DRFP) for the Engineering Services and Science Capability Augmentation (ESSCA) II requirement. The primary goal is to provide engineering and science capability skills augmentation support and related services to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), and Stennis Space Center. Support may also extend to NASA Headquarters and other NASA Centers. The contract will also include scope for MSFC end-item deliverable requirements.

• Broad spectrum of engineering and science disciplines, including research, design, development, analysis, testing, operations, and sustaining engineering.

• End-item deliverables may include software, trade studies, support equipment, prototypes, flight hardware, electronic systems, etc.

• Requires adherence to NASA IT security, safety, health, and environmental standards.

• Offerors must submit an Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) Plan.

• A Top Secret facility clearance is required at the time of proposal submittal.

• Full and open competition.

• NAICS Code: 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences), Size Standard: 1,300 employees.

• Hybrid indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract with potential for Cost-Plus-Award-Fee (CPAF), Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF), and Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) orders.

• Contract duration: Four-month phase-in period, five-year base ordering period, with an option for a three-year additional ordering period.

• Anticipated award date: September 9, 2026.

• Anticipated phase-in start: October 1, 2026.

• Final RFP planned release: Week of November 17, 2025.

• Proposals due approximately 30-45 calendar days after Final RFP release.

• Virtual Industry Day: October 17, 2025.

• Comments and questions due by October 20, 2025.

• Proposals to be submitted via NASA's Enterprise File Sharing and Sync Box (EFSS Box).

• Full and open competition.

• NAICS Code: 541715, Size Standard: 1,300 employees.

• This is a Draft Request for Proposal (DRFP) and not a solicitation for proposals.

• Offerors are encouraged to comment on all aspects of the DRFP.

• Formatting inconsistencies may exist due to a new NASA contract writing system.