Network Extension for User Continuity and Sustainability (NEXUS) Ka-Band Backward-Compatible Relay Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) NextSTEP-3 Appendix E - Draft Solicitation

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a draft solicitation presentation for the Network Extension for User Continuity and Sustainability (NEXUS) program, specifically Appendix E for the Ka-Band Backward-Compatible Relay. NASA's objective is to procure capability development and an in-flight demonstration of an end-to-end Ka-band bent pipe relay capability. This capability must be backward compatible with legacy TDRS users and is intended to address a credible continuity risk in the 2029-2031 timeframe due to aging TDRS constellation.

• Capability: End-to-end Ka-band bent pipe relay, including space, ground, launch, integration, and operations.

• Backward Compatibility: Must be compatible with legacy TDRS users without requiring modifications to their onboard systems.

• Service Life: Technology developed should inform a future operational service model for at least 15 years post-demonstration.

• Demonstration Objectives: Protect continuity of legacy missions, demonstrate a viable relay capability with at least two concurrent paired links (one for Region A, one for a provider-proposed region), verify requirements and performance through on-orbit execution, and generate data for a follow-on acquisition.

• Architecture: Waveform-agnostic, bent-pipe architecture.

• Acquisition Strategy: Phased acquisition strategy involving three CLINs: CLIN 1 (Concept Maturation and Risk Reduction), CLIN 2 (System Integration and Flight Demonstration Readiness), and CLIN 3 (On-Orbit Demonstration and Service Validation).

• Follow-on Activity: A competitive acquisition for full operational services is intended upon successful completion of demonstration objectives. Demonstration performance will inform this future acquisition.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price proposal is anticipated.

• Industry Day: Held on April 14, 2026, to communicate draft solicitation requirements and procurement intent, and receive industry feedback.

• Feedback Deadline: Feedback on the Draft RFP is due April 21, 2026.

• Evaluation Factors: Technical Capability and Management Capability will be evaluated. Subfactors include architectural credibility, performance compliance, design maturity, management approach, risk mitigation, commercial investment structure, and past performance. Intellectual Property Data Assertions and Corporate Contributions will also be evaluated.

• Downselect: A downselect will occur from CLIN 1 to CLIN 2, and from CLIN 2 to CLIN 3, based on performance and progress.

• Not explicitly stated in this presentation, but ITAR applies.

• This is a draft solicitation presentation; the final solicitation will be released on May 15, 2026.

• NASA encourages industry feedback to shape the final solicitation.

• Questions and Answers will be batched and posted approximately every 4-5 business days. Major changes will be released as an Amendment.

• All comments and questions must be submitted via email to MSFC-NEXUS@mail.nasa.gov no later than April 21, 2026.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Appendix E solicits proposals for the NextSTEP-3: Network Extension for User Continuity and Sustainability (NEXUS) project. The primary goal is to develop and demonstrate an on-orbit, end-to-end Ka-band relay service capability within a commercial satellite system architecture. This initiative aims to address NASA's credible risk of losing critical space-to-ground communications for legacy missions due to the aging Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) System and the lack of backward-compatible commercial alternatives. The project focuses on maturing Ka-band specific backward-compatible relay features, including next-generation Ka-band bent-pipe relay services, without duplicating existing commercial capabilities.

• Develop and demonstrate an on-orbit Ka-band relay service with backward compatibility for legacy TDRS missions.

• The capability must include space, ground, launch, integration, operations, and sustainment elements.

• Solutions must support mission communications through a transparent, bent-pipe architecture without onboard regeneration of user data.

• The service must be backward compatible with legacy TDRS-style links and existing user systems for a minimum of 15 years.

• The acquisition will be structured in three phases: Base CLIN 1 (Concept Maturation and Risk Reduction, 6 months), Priced Option CLIN 2 (System Integration and Flight Demonstration Readiness, 15 months), and Priced Option CLIN 3 (On-Orbit Demonstration and Service Validation, 3 months).

• NASA intends to progressively downselect contractors through the exercise or non-exercise of options based on performance.

• Proposals will include separate firm-fixed-price (FFP) pricing for each CLIN.

• Proposals are due by 5:00 CT on June 5, 2026.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically as a single searchable, unlocked PDF file (unless otherwise specified).

• Evaluation will be based on Technical Capability (700 points) and Management (300 points). Price will be evaluated for reasonableness but will not receive a score.

• Key evaluation subfactors include Architectural Credibility, Design Maturity, Concept of Operations, System Resilience, Project Management Approach, Risk Management Strategy, Commercial Strategy, and Past Performance.

• Eligible offerors are United States institutions only.

• Specific companies are listed as ineligible due to Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI).

• Offerors must comply with all U.S. export control laws and regulations (ITAR, EAR).

• Proposals must not include bilateral participation, collaboration, or coordination with China or any Chinese-owned company.

• A pre-solicitation notification was released on March 23, 2026.

• Written questions are due no later than April 21, 2026.

• A final solicitation industry day is tentatively scheduled for May 14, 2026.

• NASA does not anticipate that access to classified information will be required.

• Offerors should propose meaningful corporate contributions.

Statement of Objectives (SoO)

This Statement of Objectives (SoO) aims to define mission objectives, measurable performance outcomes, and constraints for industry to propose commercially scalable, technically credible, and secure solutions for the Network Extension for User Continuity and Sustainability (NEXUS) program. The goal is to validate service readiness and inform the transition to sustained commercial relay services.

Key objectives for the NEXUS demonstration include:

• Protecting continuity of legacy NASA missions operating with TDRS Ka-band relay.
• Demonstrating operational capability with no fewer than two concurrent paired links, providing coverage for at least two regions (one being Region A - CONUS).
• Ensuring persistent coverage in proposed demonstration regions.
• Generating technical, operational, and cost data for follow-on commercial relay services.
• Ensuring backward compatibility with heritage TDRS Ka-band users without requiring modifications to their onboard systems.

The provider shall demonstrate functional and performance outcomes to validate backward-compatible relay service capability. Specific requirements are detailed in Attachment B – NEXUS Service Requirements Document (SRD). The system must provide continuous, global Ka-band communication services, supporting bidirectional Forward (control center to vehicle) and Return (vehicle to control center) services. The system must support 8 concurrently operational, paired Forward and Return links across designated coverage regions (A, B, and C) with minimum relay line-of-sight elevation angles of ≥10 degrees. The service volume includes altitudes from 0 km to 1,500 km and latitudes between +/- 75 degrees.

• Ka-band Forward Service: Compliance with NTIA and ITU spectrum allocations, meeting stringent signal quality parameters for backward compatibility.

• Ka-band Return Service: Similar compliance with spectrum allocations and signal quality parameters.

• Security and Privacy: Comprehensive cybersecurity, information assurance, cryptographic, and cloud security controls across the entire service architecture, including NIST SP 800-53 compliance and adherence to CNSA 2.0 cryptography requirements.

• Scheduling and Controlling: Role-based access control for external interfaces, configuration, and monitoring.

• Testing: Secure testing interfaces for RF compatibility testing.

• Spectrum and Regulatory Compliance: NASA is responsible for Ka-band space-to-space link authorization; the Provider is responsible for other spectrum authorizations (e.g., FCC).

• Infrastructure and Routing: Prohibited from operating within or traversing countries listed in Country Group D.

• Transition Alignment: Demonstrated architecture must be scalable and supportable for a minimum 15-year service life, transitioning from two concurrent links to eight.

• Verified compliance with performance requirements in Attachment B.

• Validated system function and performance through on-orbit execution.

• Demonstrated viability of relay services.

• Successfully supported heritage TDRS customer vehicles without requiring modifications.

• Reduced technical and integration risks.

• Produced sufficient data to inform sustained services acquisition.

1. Demonstration (This solicitation): Establish a demonstration capability validating critical functions, backward compatibility, and operational readiness.
2. Commercial Relay Services (Follow-on activity): A future competitive acquisition for full operational services (24/7/365, 8 concurrent links, 15-year service life).

• Attachment B - NEXUS Service Requirements Document (SRD)

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a draft "Award/Contract" form (SF 26) for a solicitation, identified as 80MSFC26C0006. It outlines the terms and conditions for a contract with an effective date of August 18, 2026. The contract is for "Network Extension for User Continuity and Sustainability (NEXUS), Ka-Band Backward-Compatible Relay (TRDRS-Compatible)" as detailed in the Statement of Work (Attachment 01).

• The Statement of Work (Attachment 01) is the primary document detailing the requirements.

• The Service Requirements Document (SRD) (Attachment 02) and Data Requirements Descriptions (DRDs) (Attachment 03) are also referenced.

• Specific requirements related to "New Technology" and "Rights in Data" are detailed in Sections G and H, respectively.

• The contract is structured into multiple CLINs (Contract Line Item Numbers) covering different phases:

  • Base CLIN 1 (Phase 1): Concept Maturity and Risk Reduction (Period of Performance: August 18, 2026 - February 17, 2027).
  • Priced Option CLIN 2 (Phase 2): System Integration and Flight Demonstration Readiness (Period of Performance: February 18, 2027 - March 17, 2028).
  • Priced Option CLIN 3 (Phase 3): On-Orbit Demonstration and Service Validation (Period of Performance: March 18, 2028 - September 17, 2028).

• The total contract value is "TBD" (To Be Determined).

• The overall period of performance is from August 18, 2026, through September 17, 2028.

• The document references "Evaluation Factors for Award" in Section K, but details are not provided in the excerpt.

• Submission of invoices and payment procedures are detailed in Section G.

• The document references "Small Business Plan" (Attachment 09) and "NASA Small Business Supplier Development Program" (NFS Clause 1852.219-77), indicating potential considerations for small businesses.

• This document is a "DRAFT" and is subject to change.

• Various attachments are referenced, including Statement of Work, SRD, DRDs, Milestone Payment, OCI, Corporate Contribution, GFR, GTA, and Small Business Plan placeholders.

• Numerous FAR and NFS clauses are incorporated by reference, covering areas such as data rights, export licenses, limitations of funds, reporting, and security requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "C_Data Requirements Deleiverables.pdf", outlines the Data Requirements Descriptions (DRDs) for the NEXUS service. It details various deliverables required from the contractor, including their purpose, submission requirements, and interrelationships with other project documents.

• Service Requirements Compliance Matrix (SRCM): Traces requirements to verification methods and evidence.
• Service Demonstration & Validation Plan (SDVP): Defines the approach for validating service performance against NASA requirements.
• Verification Closure Notices (VCN): Documents the rationale and evidence for closing out verified service requirements.
• External Interface Control Documents (ICDs): Defines technical and operational interfaces between NEXUS and NASA user systems.
• Security Architecture Definition (SAD): Details the cybersecurity architecture, controls, and protocols for the NEXUS service.
• Service Transition Plan (STP): Outlines the strategy and criteria for transitioning the NEXUS service from demonstration to operational capability.
• Intellectual Property & Data Rights Management Plan (IPDRMP): Describes the contractor's approach to managing IP and data rights.
• Service Financial & Pricing Structure Definition (SFPSD): Establishes the financial framework, business model, and pricing for the NEXUS service.
• Training Emulator: Provides an interface emulator for testing and training without requiring access to the operational system.
• Continuity of Service Operations Plan (CSOP): Details the contractor's strategy for maintaining service continuity and recovering operations after disruptions.

This document serves as a comprehensive list of required deliverables for potential bidders. It provides insight into the technical, security, financial, and operational documentation expected throughout the project lifecycle, helping bidders understand the scope and complexity of the contract.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a worksheet designed to capture a bidder's proposed "Corporate Contribution" to an opportunity. It details the fair market value of un-reimbursed costs that the bidder intends to contribute, which are not funded by the U.S. Government. External state or private funding is acceptable.

• Fair market value of un-reimbursed use of equipment and Facilities: 0.0
• Cost (not including fee) of un-reimbursed Direct Labor: 0.0
• Un-reimbursed Materials and Other Direct Costs (inc. Travel, not including fee): 0.0
• Overhead and/or General & Administrative costs (not including fee, and if not added above): 0.0
• Coincident Internal Research and Development projects: 0.0%
• TOTAL: 0.0

Bidders must complete this worksheet to detail any corporate contributions they are offering. The "Supporting Information" tab (referenced in the document) requires additional details regarding these proposed contributions and their relevance. This information may be a factor in proposal evaluation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) for the NextSTEP-3 Appendix E solicitation. It is used to gather feedback from organizations that have had first-hand experience with an offeror's past performance on contracts or other work efforts. This information is crucial for the government's evaluation of an offeror's ability to perform the proposed effort.

The questionnaire is divided into several sections:

• Contract Identification: Details about the contract being reviewed (number, type, period of performance, dollar value, description of work, competitive award status, contractor's role).
• Customer or Agency Identification: Information about the customer or agency that received the services.
• Respondent Identification: Details about the person completing the questionnaire.
• Performance Information: This section includes detailed questions covering:
  • Technical Performance: Understanding of scope, quality of deliverables, adherence to standards, system engineering process, quality assurance, and technical depth.
  • Program Management: Overall contract management, personnel assignment, problem resolution, responsiveness, handling of changes, subcontractor management, communication, and flexibility.
  • Cost Performance: Accuracy of cost forecasting, performance within budget, notification of unforeseen costs, and timeliness of cost reporting.
• General Comment: A section for overall remarks and a statement regarding the likelihood of awarding to the contractor again.

This document is critical for any entity that has previously worked with the offeror. The responses provided in this questionnaire will directly impact the offeror's past performance evaluation, which is a significant factor in source selection. Bidders should be aware that their past performance will be assessed based on feedback from previous customers. The deadline for submitting responses is June 15, 2026. Completed questionnaires can be emailed to Jennifer George at msfc-nexus@mail.nasa.gov.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a pricing worksheet designed to assist offerors in calculating and summarizing their proposed costs for the opportunity. It provides a structured format for detailing prices by Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs), including any proposed Government Furnished Property (GFP) and Government Task Agreements (GTA).

• Tab A (Summary of Total Price): Summarizes total prices by CLINs, including proposed values for GFP & GTAs. Populated from Tab B.
• Tab B (Total Evaluated Price by CLINs): Requires offerors to manually input prices for CLINs 001-003 and the value of any offeror-selected Government equipment, property, or facility use. Includes an optional notes section for clarifications.
• Tab C (Total GTA and OGFPA Summation): Requires offerors to manually input all GTAs and Optional Government Furnished Property Agreements (OGFPAs), including task number, associated CLIN, description, and price.
• Tab D (Fully Burdened Labor Rates): Requires offerors to manually input labor categories and their fully burdened not-to-exceed labor rates by Government Fiscal Year (GFY).

This worksheet is critical for bidders to accurately calculate and present their pricing in accordance with the solicitation requirements. It directly impacts the total evaluated price and is essential for proposal submission. Offerors must ensure all yellow-highlighted cells are completed and that totals reconcile between Tab B and Tab C.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides instructions and a template for Government Task Agreements (GTAs). GTAs are used to document requests for limited Government support or access to Government resources for specific, bounded tasks. They are intended to assist contractors in areas like legacy compatibility validation, access to unique facilities, or limited mission integration support, but do not shift responsibility for the end-to-end service capability from the contractor to NASA.

• GTA Purpose: To document requests for discrete Government-furnished resources or services.
• Submission: Proposed GTAs must be submitted as attachments to proposals.
• Content Requirements: Each GTA must identify the specific resource/service, purpose, scope, period of performance, schedule dependencies, and proposed cost.
• Evaluation: Proposed GTAs may be considered in the Total Evaluated Price and are subject to Government review, approval, modification, or rejection.
• Post-Award: Approved GTAs may be amended, revised, added, or discontinued via contract modification.
• Data Rights: Data and software developed under a GTA are subject to contract data rights provisions.
• Data Delivery: Deliverables are due within 60 days of GTA completion, in the format specified by the contract.
• Cost: GTA support costs are documented in the GTA and may be reimbursable, non-reimbursable, or a credit.
• Performance: GTAs require Government approval before work or resource use can commence, and are subject to prerequisites like funding, safety, and facility access approvals.
• Template: A specific GTA template is provided for use.

This document is crucial for bidders who anticipate needing specific Government resources or support to fulfill contract requirements. It outlines the process for requesting such support, the information required in the request, how these requests will be evaluated, and the conditions under which they will be approved and managed. Bidders must understand these instructions to properly incorporate GTA requests into their proposals and to manage any approved GTAs during contract performance.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Optional Government-Furnished Property Agreement (OGFPA) template and instructions. It is used by an Offeror or Contractor to formally request the use of optional Government-Furnished Property (GFP) or Government-Furnished Information (GFI), collectively referred to as Government-Furnished Resources (GFR), for use during the performance of the NEXUS contract. It also outlines the process for inquiring about and obtaining such resources.

• Instructions: Details the purpose, usage, and inquiry process for optional GFR.
• Inquiry Process: Offerors should email MSFC-NEXUS@mail.nasa.gov to inquire about available GFR. GFR must be unique and not reasonably available commercially.
• OGFPA Template: A form to be completed for each requested item of GFR, including:
  • Task and WBS details
  • Points of Contact (Offeror and NASA)
  • Resource Name and NASA Center
  • Name, Description, and Quantity of GFR requested
  • Agreed Upon No Later Than (NLT) Date
  • Cost of GFR (to be filled in by NASA)
  • Any Other Pertinent Information (justification, loan status, assumptions, etc.)
• Contract Performance: Approved OGFPA will become an attachment to the contract.
• Terms: GFR is provided "as-is" and the Contractor is responsible for transportation, integration, interface costs, and bears the risk of loss.

This document is crucial for bidders who anticipate needing specific government-furnished equipment or information to perform the contract. It outlines the procedure for requesting such resources, the information required in the request, and the terms and conditions associated with their use. Bidders should review this to determine if their GFR needs can be met and to understand the associated responsibilities.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Organizational Conflict of Interest Disclosure," serves as Attachment I to the NEXUS Solicitation. It requires offerors to disclose any actual or potential Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI) as part of their proposal submission, in accordance with FAR Subpart 9.5.

• OCI Status: Offerors must declare if they have no known OCI or if they have an actual/potential OCI.
• Conflict Description: If an OCI exists, details regarding the conflict, its source, affected work, and potential impact must be provided.
• Mitigation Plan: Offerors must submit a plan with controls and procedures if an OCI is identified.
• Affiliate/Subcontractor Disclosure: Identification of any related entities (parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, subcontractors) with potential OCIs.
• Related Contracts: Listing of any contracts that may create an OCI, including customer, contract number, performance period, and description.
• Certification: A statement certifying the accuracy and completeness of the submission, requiring signature and date from an authorized official.

This form is critical for bidders to complete accurately. Failure to disclose potential OCIs or to provide a sufficient mitigation plan could impact proposal evaluation and award. It ensures compliance with federal regulations regarding conflicts of interest in contracting.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, titled "REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER STATEMENTS," contains various clauses and provisions that offerors must review and, in some cases, complete or certify. It outlines requirements related to federal transactions, tax liability, contracting with certain entities, and telecommunications equipment.

• Incorporated by Reference: Lists FAR clauses (e.g., 52.203-11, 52.209-11, 52.225-25) with their effective dates.
• Incorporated by Full Text: Details FAR clause 52.204-8 (Annual Representations and Certifications), including NAICS code (541715), small business size standard (1,000 employees), and conditions for HUBZone price evaluation preference.
• Specific FAR Provisions: Lists numerous FAR provisions that apply to the solicitation, such as those related to:
  • Payments to influence federal transactions (52.203-11)
  • Prohibition on contracting with Iran-related entities (52.225-25)
  • Telecommunications and video surveillance services/equipment (52.204-24, 52.204-26)
  • Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders (52.204-29)
  • Responsibility matters (52.209-5, 52.209-7)
  • Tax matters (52.209-12)
  • Cost Accounting Standards (52.230-1)
• Offeror Actions: Requires offerors to either complete representations electronically in SAM or provide specific information within their offer, depending on the provision.

This document is critical for bidders as it details mandatory representations, certifications, and disclosures required for proposal submission. Failure to comply with these requirements can impact responsibility determinations and potentially lead to disqualification. Bidders must carefully review each provision to understand their obligations and ensure accurate completion or certification.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the milestone payments and acceptance criteria for CLIN 1, CLIN 2, and CLIN 3 of the "NEXUS" opportunity. It details specific deliverables, acceptance criteria, and payment percentages tied to the achievement of these milestones.

CLIN 1:

• Milestone 1: V&V Compliance Assessment and Preliminary Design Report.
  • Acceptance Criteria: Government acceptance of demonstrated requirement traceability, verification methods, planned timing, identification of on-orbit requirements, and an interim design report.
  • Payment: 30% of CLIN 1 value.

CLIN 2:

• Milestone 1: Integration Checkpoint (Integration maturity review).
  • Acceptance Criteria: Government acceptance of Baseline maturity for SRCM, SDVP, Updated VCNs, ICDs, SAD, STP, IPDRMP, SFPSD, and Training Emulator.
  • Payment: 10% of CLIN 2 value.
• Milestone 2: Demo Ground Test Complete (System assembly, integration, ground verification, RF compatibility testing).
  • Acceptance Criteria: System realization, integration, configuration alignment, successful ground testing, RF compatibility, anomaly resolution, and performance evidence.
  • Payment: 10% of CLIN 2 value.
• Milestone 3: Demo Readiness Review (DRR).
  • Acceptance Criteria: Hardware/Software/Ground Readiness, Launch & Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, and a stable Architecture & Schedule.
  • Payment: 20% of CLIN 2 value.

CLIN 3:

• Milestone 1: Capability launch (Payload in-orbit by June 30, 2028).
  • Success Criteria: Successful payload deployment to orbit.
  • Payment: 35% of CLIN 3 value.
• Milestone 2: Demo Performance Validation Complete (On-orbit demonstration and delivery of Phase 3 DRDs).
  • Success Criteria: End-to-end on-orbit demonstration, backward-compatible relay service, met demonstration success criteria, resolved anomalies, validated commercial viability, and delivery of required data.
  • Specific DRD Criteria: Final VCNs (NEXUS-DRD-003) with Level 1 requirements closed.
  • Payment: 10% of CLIN 3 value.

This document is critical for bidders as it defines the specific performance objectives, deliverables, and timelines that will trigger payments. Understanding these acceptance criteria and milestones is essential for developing a compliant proposal and managing project execution to ensure timely and successful contract performance and payment.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the Commercial Architecture Security Questionnaire (CASQ), an Excel spreadsheet intended to gather information regarding the security posture of a proposed commercial satellite communication (COMSATCOM) solution. It requires vendors to respond to specific questions related to network security, encryption, access control, and other information assurance (IA) and cybersecurity controls.

• Header Information: Basic details such as Task Order Number, Vendor, Period of Performance, End User, and Satellite(s) & Operator(s).
• Network Connectivity Questions: Basic questions about the TT&C network's connection to the internet and separation from other networks.
• COMSATCOM IA Questionnaire: A detailed list of security controls categorized under Space System Security, Access Control, Awareness and Training, Audit and Accountability, Assessment/Authorization/Monitoring, Configuration Management, Contingency Planning, Identification and Authentication, Incident Response, Maintenance, Physical and Environmental Protection, Personnel Security, Risk Assessment, and System/Communications Protection.
• Vendor Response Fields: For each IA control, vendors are expected to provide their response, and evaluators will provide a rating and comments.

This questionnaire is critical for any vendor proposing a COMSATCOM solution. Bidders must carefully review each security control requirement and provide accurate, detailed responses. The responses will be evaluated as part of the overall security assessment of the proposed solution, directly impacting the bid's acceptability and potential award. Failure to adequately address these security requirements could lead to disqualification.

Statement of Objectives (SoO)

This Statement of Objectives (SoO) outlines NASA's mission objectives, measurable performance outcomes, and constraints for a commercially scalable, technically credible, and secure solution for long-term commercial relay services. The goal is to demonstrate service readiness and inform the transition to sustained commercial relay services.

• Protect continuity of legacy NASA missions operating with existing TDRS Ka-band relay services.

• Demonstrate an operational capability that functions as a service by providing no fewer than two concurrent paired forward and return links, with one link covering Region A (CONUS) and a second link covering another region proposed by the Provider.

• Ensure persistent coverage in proposed demonstration regions.

• Verify and validate performance, coverage, concurrency, and operational execution through on-orbit demonstration.

• Generate sufficient technical, operational, and cost data to inform a follow-on competitive acquisition for sustained services.

• Ensure services are backward compatible with heritage TDRS Ka-band users and do not require modifications to customer vehicle onboard systems.

• Provide continuous, global Ka-band communication services (Forward and Return) between customer control centers and supported vehicles.

• Deliver bidirectional services with sufficient RF bandwidth to ensure mission data delivery, telemetry, command and control, and operational continuity without requiring modifications to legacy customer vehicle onboard systems.

• The system must support 8 concurrently operational, paired forward and return links across three defined regions (A, B, and C) with a minimum 15-year service life for full operational services.

• Implement comprehensive cybersecurity, information assurance, cryptographic, and cloud security controls.

• Provide secure external interfaces to customer Mission Operations Centers (MOCs) and mission data systems.

• Support scheduling, configuration, monitoring, and control functions via web-based and API access.

• Meet Ka-band signal acquisition and tracking performance under customer vehicle flight dynamics conditions.

• Backward Compatibility: All proposed services must be backward compatible with heritage TDRS Ka-band users.

• Spectrum: Compliance with NTIA and ITU spectrum allocations is required. NASA is responsible for Ka-band space-to-space link authorization; the Provider is responsible for other spectrum authorizations (e.g., FCC).

• Security: Implementation of NIST SP 800-53 controls (High impact for availability/integrity, Moderate for confidentiality) is mandatory. Compliance with recognized industry frameworks may be demonstrated.

• Infrastructure: Certain countries are prohibited for infrastructure placement or routing.

• Transition: The demonstrated architecture must be scalable for transition to full operational services.

• Verified compliance with performance requirements (Attachment B).

• Validated system function and performance through on-orbit execution.

• Demonstrated viability of relay services.

• Successfully supported heritage TDRS customer vehicle communications without requiring modifications.

• Reduced technical and integration risks.

• Produced sufficient data to inform sustained services acquisition.

1. Demonstration (This Solicitation): Establish a demonstration capability validating critical functions, backward compatibility, and operational readiness with at least two concurrent paired links.
2. Commercial Relay Services (Follow-on): A future competitive acquisition for full operational services (8 concurrent links, 24/7/365, 15-year life).

• Attachment B - NEXUS Service Requirements Document (SRD)