Request for Information (RFI) Advancement of “Science as a Service” for NASA and Commercial Partners
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), through its Science Mission Directorate (SMD), is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to gather industry input for its "Science as a Service (SaaS)" initiative. This RFI aims to leverage existing commercial capabilities and identify areas for government investment to accelerate technology development and transition for operational use across Earth Science, Heliophysics, and Astrophysics. Responses are due by May 7, 2026.
Purpose & Scope
This RFI seeks input from U.S. industry, universities, non-profit organizations, individuals, NASA centers, Federal Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and other U.S. federal, state, local, tribal government agencies, as well as the international science community. The "Science as a Service" initiative is designed to identify where new technology investments by the Government will accelerate technology development, enable testing, validation, and rapid transition of next-generation NASA technologies. Responses are subject to restrictions on bilateral relationships with China (SEC. 526 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024).
Key Areas of Interest
- Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO): Inform the Venture Technology Accelerator (VTA) program, speed technology transition, and identify investment needs and collaboration processes.
- Heliophysics Space Weather Program: Develop strategies for the Space Weather Observations Architecture, exploring public-private partnerships for distributed monitoring stations.
- Astrophysics Division (APD): Identify emerging commercial capabilities for spacecraft buses, telescopes, and observatories, and explore public-private partnerships for space-based astrophysics.
Specific Commercial Perspectives Sought
NASA is interested in:
- Technologies needed to expand commercial business cases with NASA investment.
- NASA mission concepts or technology demonstrations attractive for commercial hosting or adoption.
- Operational and integration needs to align technology development with commercial cycles.
Requested Response Topics
Respondents should address one or more of the following topics:
- Topic A: Commercial Business Case Technology Needs
- Topic B: Demonstration Pathways and On-Orbit Validation Needs
- Topic C: Streamlined Access to Space and Integration Support
- Topic D: Transition from Demonstration to Commercial Operations
- Topic E: Partnerships and Community Ecosystem
- Topic F: Program Design, Funding Models, and Milestone Structures
- Topic G: Market-Driven Application Needs
- Topic H: Commercialization Interest in VTA Earth Science and Space Weather Missions
- Topic I: Other Relevant Topics
Submission Details
- Response Due: May 7, 2026 (supersedes all previous dates).
- Submission Method: Via NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) as a PDF document.
- Important Note: This RFI is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment to award a contract. Responses are not considered offers.
Contact Information
- Primary: Michael Seablom (michael.s.seablom@nasa.gov)
- Secondary: Shawn Domagal-Goldman (shawn.goldman@nasa.gov)