NASA Underwater Training and Testing
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
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Johnson Space Center (JSC) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) titled "NASA Underwater Training and Testing." This RFI seeks to identify potential industry partners capable of providing comprehensive services for a multi-day Underwater Training/Testing Capability Demonstration. The primary objective is to demonstrate and evaluate the contractor's ability to perform spaceflight-analog training, with a secondary focus on human research and technology maturation within a subsea environment. This is strictly for market research and does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ) or Request for Proposal (RFP).
Scope of Work
The required services, detailed in the Performance Work Statement (PWS), include:
- Supporting four (4) NASA participants in a subsea saturation habitat for a minimum of five continuous days at a minimum depth of 12 meters.
- Providing umbilical-based helmet diving operations for up to four (4) NASA participants.
- Delivering real-time, bi-directional audio and video streaming between the control center and divers.
- Operating a facility control center (shore- or vessel-based) for monitoring and interaction.
- Collecting, monitoring, and integrating human research, performance, health, medical, vehicle, and environmental data, ensuring federal data protection compliance.
- Providing standardized interfaces for NASA-provided payloads, mockups, and software tools.
- Establishing real-time bi-directional connectivity with NASA JSC, including a communications latency emulator.
- Maintaining compliance with all state and federal safety and environmental regulations.
- Ensuring mission timelines, durations, and crew allocations remain flexible.
Key Tasks and Deliverables
Key tasks outlined in the PWS include:
- Planning & Facility Readiness: Establishing operational baselines, facility validation, developing joint test plans, conducting site visits, and supporting participant processing.
- Training & Facility Demonstration Mission: Executing initial training blocks and a baseline saturation mission (minimum 5-day).
- Integrated Space Analog Demonstration Mission (Option 1): Developing a Joint Test Plan, conducting a Mission Readiness Review, and executing a minimum 5-day integrated space analog mission.
- Integrated Artemis Surface Mission Rehearsal (Option 2): Developing a Joint Test Plan and IRB-approved protocol, executing a minimum 10-day integrated Artemis surface simulation mission, and supporting advanced operations training.
Contract & Timeline
- Opportunity Type: Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI)
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Response Due: July 6, 2026, by 21:00 ET
- Published Date: June 22, 2026
- Department/Office: National Aeronautics And Space Administration / NASA JOHNSON SPACE CENTER
- Place of Performance: Texas (TX), 77058, United States
Evaluation
Responses will be used by NASA JSC to determine if an industry partner exists that can provide these services on a commercially available platform. This RFI is for planning purposes only and does not guarantee a future solicitation.
Contact Information
- Primary Contact: Johnny Vuong (johnny.h.vuong@nasa.gov)
- Secondary Contact: Jesus Cueto (Fabian) (jesus.f.cueto@nasa.gov)