Science Transport & Robotic Innovation for Deployment and Exploration (STRIDE) Program in NASA Research Announcement (NRA): RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN SPACE AND EARTH SCIENCES (ROSES) 2025

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (Amendment 49) to the NASA Research Announcement "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2025" (NNH25ZDA001N) for the C.13 STRIDE program makes the following changes:

• In Table C.13-1, the term "requirements" has been changed to "page limit."

• Under Sections 2.3, 3.3.2, and 5.1, the word "should" has been changed to "must."

• Section 3.3.2 has been clarified.

• New text is indicated in bold, and deleted text is struck through.

• Neither Notices of Intent nor Step-1 proposals are requested.

• Table C.13-1

• Sections 2.3, 3.3.2, and 5.1

• The proposal due date remains unchanged: March 31, 2026.

• Updated FAQs have been posted on the NSPIRES page for C.13 STRIDE.

• The amendment will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage and SARA's ROSES blog around February 23, 2026.

• Primary POCs: Erica Montbach and Lane Painter (HQ-STRIDE@mail.nasa.gov)

• Secondary POC (Contract Specialist): Shana Faris (shana.n.faris@nasa.gov)

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation, ROSES-25 Amendment 43, announces a new opportunity (C.13 STRIDE) for U.S. industry to conduct design studies of advanced robotic surface and aerial mobility systems. These systems should have payload transportation and deployment capabilities for Mars surface operations, with potential for early-stage prototyping of hardware. The goal is to inform the development of Mars-environment capable robotic mobility systems that can traverse challenging terrain and deliver science payloads, identifying necessary development levels for commercial systems and potential capability gaps.

• Design studies of advanced robotic surface and aerial mobility systems.

• Focus on payload transportation and deployment for Mars surface operations.

• Potential for early-stage prototyping of hardware.

• Final study report addressing specific inputs (detailed in "Required Final Report Inputs" document).

• NASA anticipates selecting multiple awards.

• Awards will be firm-fixed-price contracts.

• Subject to availability of funds and programmatic priorities.

• Proposals are due March 31, 2026.

• No Notices of Intent or Step-1 proposals are requested.

• An optional, informational pre-proposal virtual conference will occur February 4, 2026.

• The primary proposing organization must be a "for-profit U.S. organization" of any size.

• Partnerships and subcontracts with other organization types (academia, non-profits, University Affiliated Research Centers) are permitted.

• Reference documents, including a Proposal Information Package (PIP), Executive Summary template, Required Final Study Report Inputs, Model Contract, FAQ, and Pre-Proposal Slides, will be posted on the NSPIRES page.

• The full NASA Research Announcement (NNH25ZDA001N) will be posted around January 30, 2026.

• Primary Points of Contact: Erica Montbach and Lane Painter (HQ-STRIDE@mail.nasa.gov).

• Secondary Point of Contact (Contract Specialist): Shana Faris (shana.n.faris@nasa.gov).

Other / Unclassified

This document is an "Advance Notice of Intent to Solicit" from NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) regarding a new program element under the ROSES-2025 solicitation, titled "Science Transport & Robotic Innovation for Deployment and Exploration (STRIDE)." The program intends to solicit proposals from for-profit U.S. organizations for design studies of advanced robotic surface and aerial mobility systems for Mars operations. This may include early-stage prototyping. The goal is to inform the development of commercial robotic systems capable of operating in Martian environments, transporting and deploying science payloads, and traversing challenging terrain.

This notice is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. No proposals are currently being accepted. It informs potential bidders about a future opportunity expected to result in firm-fixed-price contracts. The STRIDE program aims to identify commercial systems that can enhance cost-effective transportation and deployment of science payloads, address key capability gaps, and advance robotic exploration at Mars. Proposals will be encouraged to demonstrate how their platforms could enhance overall science return. A one-step (direct) proposal submission process via NSPIRES is anticipated. Points of contact for inquiries are provided.