Lunar Freezer System
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 Johnson Space Center issued a Final Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Lunar Freezer System (LFS), a critical system for returning temperature-sensitive science payloads from the Moon and Gateway Space Station to Earth. This was a Full and Open competition for a Single Award, Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee IDIQ contract. The Source Selection Statement has been posted, indicating the completion of the award process.
Purpose
The LFS acquisition was for safe, reliable, and cost-effective hardware and software systems to return lunar geological, human research, and biological experimentation samples. The system was designed for integration into launch vehicles, transport to the Moon and Gateway, and return via the Orion Crew Module.
Scope of Work
The contract covered the full lifecycle of the LFS, including:
- Design, development, manufacture, test, delivery, and deployment (post-launch).
- Engineering support.
- Specific Statement of Work (SOW) sections included Requirements and Preliminary Design, Design, Development, Test, and Evaluation (DDT&E), Flight Integration and Operations, Post Mission Support, Additional Tasks/Studies, and Maintenance/Sustaining.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Single Award, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Delivery Orders.
- Period of Performance: Potentially 7.5 years (66-month Base Period + two 12-month Option Periods).
- NAICS Code: 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences).
- Size Standard: 1,000 employees.
- Set-Aside: Full and Open competition, with specific small business subcontracting goals (e.g., 3% Small Disadvantaged, 3% Woman-Owned).
- Place of Performance: Contractor's facilities.
Evaluation Factors
Proposals were evaluated based on:
- Technical Acceptability (most important)
- Past Performance (more important than Cost)
- Cost
Key Dates
- Original Proposal Due: March 6, 2025, at 5:00 PM CST.
- Pre-Proposal Conference: February 11, 2025, at 2:00 PM CST (virtual).
- Questions Due: February 18, 2025, by 5:00 PM CST.
- Source Selection Statement Posted: January 5, 2026.
Status
The Source Selection Statement for the Lunar Freezer System (LFS) opportunity has been posted, signifying the conclusion of the evaluation and award decision process.
Contacts
- Contracting Officer: Jonathan Anzures (jonathan.anzures@nasa.gov)
- Contract Specialist: Victoria N. Miller (victoria.n.miller@nasa.gov)