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) and will host an Industry Day for its Aeronautics Flight Accelerator (AFA) initiative. This effort seeks information from U.S. industry, academia, and government on potential partnerships for research, development, and flight testing of innovative aeronautics technologies. The goal is to accelerate U.S. competitiveness through rapid, cost-effective flight experimentation.
Purpose & Scope
The AFA initiative aims to shorten the path from concept to flight by integrating NASA capabilities with contributions from external partners. NASA is seeking revolutionary technologies and concepts suitable for cost-shared maturation, leading to flight within three years. Areas of interest include subsonic (vertical lift), supersonic, and hypersonic flight technologies, encompassing propulsion, airframe concepts, integrated systems, power systems, GNC, avionics, sensors, advanced instrumentation, materials, autonomy, airspace operations, and communication technologies. NASA is considering Funded Space Act Agreements, SBIR/STTR Phase III, and similar partnership mechanisms, assuming some level of cost share from respondents. Participation is limited to U.S.-based entities.
Industry Day Details
An Industry Day will be held 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, describe NASA's flight assets and technical capabilities, and include an open Q&A session. Attendees can request 20-minute private one-on-one sessions with NASA. To register for Industry Day, email Jenni Schnarr (jennifer.schnarr@nasa.gov) or Tanjanica Jackson (tanjanica.s.jackson@nasa.gov) by April 17, 2026, 12:00 PM ET, with the subject "AFA Industry Day Request." For one-on-one sessions, a two-page executive summary, utilizing the "AFA Industry Day Response Form," must be submitted by April 14, 2026, 5:00 PM ET. These sessions are in-person only.
RFI Response Requirements
NASA requests input on 12 key topics, including: Technology/Concept Overview, Market, Technical Objectives, U.S. Economic Benefits, NASA Collaboration Requirements, Procurement Mechanism Preferences, and Level of Interest. Responses are limited to 8 pages, single-spaced, 12-point font, and must be submitted electronically in PDF format.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI)
- Set-Aside: None specified.
- Industry Day Registration Due: April 17, 2026, 12:00 PM ET
- One-on-One Executive Summary Due: April 14, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
- RFI Response Due: May 7, 2026, 1:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
- Published: April 14, 2026
Additional Notes
This is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or commitment by NASA. NASA will not pay for information provided. Attendance at Industry Day or one-on-one sessions is not required to submit an RFI response.