Operations and maintenance of equipment
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) Shared Services Center (NSSC) intends to award a sole source contract to the University of Hawaii for the operations and maintenance of NASA's Plant X biomanufacturing facility. This notice serves as an intent to sole source under FAR 12.102(a), as the University of Hawaii has been determined to be the sole provider. Interested organizations may submit capabilities to challenge this determination. Responses are due April 24, 2026.
Scope of Work
The University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) will provide comprehensive services for NASA's Plant X biomanufacturing facility. Key responsibilities include:
- Site Preparation & Installation: Assisting with site preparation, shipping, and installation of Plant X and its retention tank.
- Facility Operation: Overseeing Plant X operations using NASA-provided SOPs, drawings, and training.
- Maintenance & Troubleshooting: Performing scheduled maintenance, repairs, and troubleshooting on Plant X components, including solar panels, reactors, and growth systems.
- Testing & Evaluation: Conducting water quality testing of influent wastewater and irrigation water, as well as product chemistry from bioreactors. This includes conventional parameters, micropollutants (PFAS), and microbial safety tracking.
- Crop Growth Monitoring: Monitoring the growth system for cotton production.
- Project Closeout: Assisting with decommissioning or handover of Plant X.
- Reporting & Communication: Preparing a pilot demonstration report with performance data and lessons learned, and participating in weekly project status calls.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Notice of Intent to Sole Source (FAR Part 13 for Non-Commercial items/services)
- Intended Recipient: University of Hawaii
- NAICS Code: 611310 (Educational Support Services)
- Set-Aside: None (Sole Source)
- Period of Performance: 8 months, from August 2026 through March 2027.
- Place of Performance: A housing community in eastern Oahu (procuring center is NASA/Kennedy Space Center).
- Capabilities Response Due: April 24, 2026, 3:00 p.m. Central Standard Time.
- Published: April 22, 2026.
Evaluation
Capabilities and qualifications submitted by interested organizations will be evaluated solely to determine if this procurement can be conducted on a competitive basis. The government retains discretion regarding the decision to compete this effort.
Additional Notes
This notice is for informational purposes regarding a proposed sole source action. Oral communications are not acceptable. NASA FAR Supplement Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. Primary Point of Contact: Kacey Hickman, Procurement Specialist, kacey.l.hickman@nasa.gov.