Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -3 (NextSTEP-3) Omnibus
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 has released the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -3 (NextSTEP-3) Omnibus, a presolicitation mechanism to foster commercial deep space exploration capabilities. This Omnibus, effective for five years through September 26, 2029, will serve as the foundation for future Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Appendices. These Appendices will solicit proposals for studies, research, technology development, and demonstrations aligned with NASA's Moon to Mars exploration strategy.
Scope of Work
The NextSTEP-3 Omnibus covers concept studies, basic and applied research, and technology development for human space exploration and robotic precursor activities. Future BAA Appendices will detail specific research areas, which may include mission architecture definition, prototype development, capability demonstration, operational concept validation, and end-to-end design, development, test, and in-space evaluation of future flight systems. Offerors are encouraged to provide corporate contributions.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Presolicitation / Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Omnibus. Actual awards will be contracts specified in individual Appendices.
- Duration: The Omnibus is effective for five years, through September 26, 2029. Individual contracts awarded under Appendices may extend beyond this period.
- Anticipated Awards: Range from under $100K for concept studies to several million dollars annually for extensive activities.
- Published: September 27, 2024
- Set-Aside: None specified for the Omnibus; specific Appendices may include eligibility limitations.
Eligibility & Evaluation
- Eligibility: Open to all U.S. and non-U.S. organizations, including educational institutions, industry, and nonprofit organizations. Specific Appendices may impose limitations. Proposals must not involve bilateral participation with China or Chinese-owned entities. A specified corporate contribution is an eligibility requirement.
- Evaluation (for future Appendices): Proposals will be evaluated based on Relevance, Scientific/Technical Merit, and Cost/Price, with each factor carrying equal weight.
- Submission (for future Appendices): Proposals will be submitted electronically in Adobe PDF. A Notice of Intent (NOI) is strongly encouraged.
Additional Notes
This Omnibus document is not a solicitation itself. Detailed solicitations, including specific funding, proposal instructions, eligibility, and selection criteria, will be issued periodically as NextSTEP-3 BAA Appendices. Offerors should monitor nasa.gov/nextstep and sam.gov for updates, amendments, and proposal due dates. In case of contradictions, the Appendices will take precedence over the Omnibus. Contact: NASA ESDMD Moon to Mars Program Office at HQ-NextSTEP-BAA@mail.nasa.gov.