Request for Information (RFI) Enabling Commercial Lunar Transportation to Support a Sustained Lunar Base
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 Marshall Space Flight Center has issued a Request for Information (RFI), titled "Enabling Commercial Lunar Transportation to Support a Sustained Lunar Base", seeking industry input to shape a future acquisition strategy for Artemis Commercial Lunar Transportation Solutions. This RFI aims to identify concepts capable of supporting the sustained buildup, logistics resupply, and crew rotation tempo required for a permanent, continuously crewed U.S. lunar base, aligning with the Executive Order "Ensuring American Space Superiority." Responses are due by April 23, 2026, 11:59 PM EST.
Purpose & Scope
This RFI is for planning purposes only and is not a request for proposal. NASA is interested in transportation concepts from established commercial providers and new industry entrants. The scope includes "end-to-end" lunar transportation, defined as from Earth launch through arrival at an orbital transfer location and return to Earth. Surface delivery is not directly in scope, except for informing docking/transfer operations with Human Landing System (HLS) providers. NASA assumes two commercial providers for this capability, with an initial cadence of one crewed mission per provider per year, delivering to the surface every six months.
Key areas of interest include:
- Proposed human transportation systems capable of rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) with existing HLS providers.
- Architectures demonstrating a clear path to supporting future Artemis architecture requirements.
- Trajectories, staging orbits, and operational profiles that best support current HLS vehicles and future Artemis needs.
- How systems can evolve existing capabilities or introduce new architectures.
- For new entrants, a clear path to human-rating certification.
Submission Requirements
Responses must be submitted electronically via a provided Box link by April 23, 2026, 11:59 PM EST. Submissions should include a 2-page Executive Summary (incorporating content from Section 4 and 5 of the RFI) and a 10-page detailed response, with an optional 5-page appendix. These page limits apply to the overall submission. While a 12-point font is generally required, flexibility is allowed for tables or figures, provided content remains clear and legible. Respondents should not include classified export-controlled data but are permitted to submit properly marked proprietary, EAR, ITAR, or other sensitive but unclassified (SBU) information. NASA will not reimburse respondents for any costs associated with this RFI.
Key Details
- Opportunity Type: Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought
- Agency: National Aeronautics And Space Administration (NASA)
- Office: NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
- Response Due: April 23, 2026, 11:59 PM EST
- Published: April 6, 2026
- Set-Aside: None specified. Respondents are asked to indicate if they qualify as a small business, small disadvantaged business, or other socioeconomic category.
- Primary Contact: Jason Arnold, jason.l.arnold@nasa.gov
- Secondary Contact: Stacey Hadavi, stacey.e.hadavi@nasa.gov