Request for Information (RFI) and Industry Day for NASA ARMD Aeronautics Flight Accelerator
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's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for its Aeronautics Flight Accelerator (AFA) initiative, seeking partnerships with U.S. industry, academia, and government. The RFI aims to identify technologies and concepts for cost-shared maturation and flight testing within three years. An Industry Day will be held on April 23, 2026, at NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, OH. RFI responses are due May 7, 2026, 1:00 PM PDT.
Purpose & Scope
The AFA initiative seeks to accelerate U.S. competitiveness by promoting rapid, cost-effective flight experimentation and strengthening the aerospace industrial base. NASA is interested in revolutionary technologies across subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic flight, including propulsion, airframe concepts, integrated systems, power, GNC, avionics, sensors, advanced instrumentation, materials, autonomy, airspace operations, and communication. Potential partnership mechanisms include Funded Space Act Agreements and SBIR/STTR Phase III, assuming a level of cost share. Participation is limited to U.S.-based respondents.
Industry Day & One-on-One Sessions
An in-person Industry Day will take place on April 23, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET, at the Ohio Aerospace Institute in Cleveland, OH. The event will provide an overview of AFA objectives, flight assets, and technical capabilities. Participants can request 20-minute private one-on-one sessions. To register for Industry Day and/or request a one-on-one, email Jenni Schnarr or Tanjanica Jackson by April 14, 2026, 5:00 PM ET. One-on-one requests require a two-page executive summary, utilizing the "AFA Industry Day Response Form.docx," due by the same deadline. Attendance is not mandatory for RFI submission.
RFI Response Requirements
NASA requests input on 12 key topics, including technology overview, market, mission/operational objectives, technical objectives, U.S. economic benefits, NASA collaboration requirements, airworthiness/flight/safety oversight, applications/transition, experience/capabilities, procurement mechanism preferences, data rights/IP, and level of interest/investment. Responses are limited to 8 pages, single-spaced, 12-point font (8-point for charts/tables), and must be submitted electronically in PDF format to Jenni Schnarr by May 7, 2026, 1:00 PM PDT. The subject line should be "AFA RFI Response – [Organization Name]".
Important Notes
This is not a solicitation, and NASA is not requesting proposals. Information gathered will assist in finalizing potential requirements. Do not submit confidential, proprietary, or export-controlled information unless clearly marked. Interested parties are responsible for monitoring SAM.gov for future solicitations.