NASA Launch Services II (NLS II) 2026 On-Ramp

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation, "NASA Launch Services II (NLS II) - Revision T," is an "On-Ramp" clause that allows NASA to invite domestic launch service providers to submit proposals for indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts. These contracts are for launch services for NASA and NASA-sponsored payloads. Proposals are solicited and evaluated during specified "open seasons" each year. The contract(s) will also require performance of non-standard services and special task assignments in support of launch services. The primary goal is to procure launch services that are safe, successful, reliable, and affordable, incorporating commercial best practices.

• Solicitation is for risk category 2 and 3 launch services capable of delivering a minimum of a 250 kg payload to orbit at an altitude of 200 km and a launch inclination of 28.5 degrees.

• Offerors must identify and price, on a not-to-exceed (NTE) basis, standard and non-standard launch services.

• Standard launch services are to be offered for all order years remaining on the NLS II contract (through June 30, 2030).

• Non-Standard and Special Task Assignment Labor Rates are through December 31, 2032.

• Contract type: Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ).

• Guaranteed minimum value: $20,000.

• Maximum potential value of contract number TBD: $15,000,000,000.

• Total maximum potential value of all NLS contracts combined: $15,000,000,000.

• Period of performance: Contract award through June 30, 2030 for launch services.

• Proposals are solicited and evaluated during specified "open seasons" each year.

• Selection for award will be based on evaluation criteria specified in Attachment E3.

• Key requirements for evaluation include:

  • AS9100 certification by the date of contract award.
  • Ability to successfully deliver to orbit at least one payload meeting specified criteria.
  • Ability to meet NASA's performance and launch vehicle certification requirements.
  • Reasonableness of NTE prices and firm fixed-prices.
  • Record of past performance.

• Evaluation factors include Technical Acceptability (Technical Approach and Management Approach) and Past Performance.

• Proposals are due by May 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EST.

• Launch Service Contractor (LSC) must be a domestic LSC pursuant to Section 201 of Public Law 105-303.

• LSC must obtain AS9100 third party certification.

• This acquisition is unrestricted.

• The Statement of Work (SOW) defines NASA's performance requirements.

• Compliance documents are limited to those mandatory from an Agency policy perspective.

• No certified cost or pricing data is required.

• Government insight and approval is limited to items mandatory per Agency policy.

• Proposals may be evaluated sequentially.

• Awards may be made on a rolling basis.

Amendment / Modification

This document, "Matrix of RFP Changes," details numerous updates to the NLS II RFP for the 2026 On-Ramp Effort, Revision T. Key changes include:

• Executive Summary: Updates to RFP Revision#, Order Years, and an added paragraph.
• RFP Section A, SF 1449: Updates to RFP Revision#, Solicitation Issue Date, Telephone, Due Date/Local Time, and Contracting Officer.
• RFP Section B: Modifications to clauses 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, and 1.8 concerning order years, award order date, and maximum quantity.
• RFP Section C: Numerous updates across various clauses, including:
  • Table of Contents revisions.
  • Updates to DEVIATION Nov 2025 for clauses 52.212-4 and 52.216-22.
  • Changes to Special Task Assignments, Public Law Number, and incorporation by reference for clause 33.0.
  • Removal of several FAR clauses (e.g., 52.212-5, 52.203-19, 52.204-4, 52.212-1).
  • Updates to specific clauses related to Limited Rights Notice, NFS, and DOE.
• Attachments D1 and D2: Revisions to Table of Contents, layout, page numbers, document revision numbers, launch site names, payload access doors, telemetry data, flight operations, countdown support, operational support services, and lightning monitoring.
• Attachment E1 and E2: Updates to Table of Contents, clause 1.0 (removal of FAR 52.212-3), clause 6.0 (updated FAR 52.209-7 with Deviation Nov 2025), and clause 2.0 (updated FAR 52.212-1 with Deviation Nov 2025).

This document impacts multiple sections of the RFP, including the Executive Summary, RFP Sections A, B, and C, as well as Attachments D1, D2, E1, and E2.

Bidders should review these changes carefully as they affect various clauses, requirements, and potentially submission details. Specific updates to dates, deviations, and removed/added clauses may impact proposal preparation and evaluation. The removal of the requirement for 6 paper copies of the proposal is also noted.