Space weather Observations at L1 to Advance Readiness (SOLAR) Series X-ray Irradiance Sensor (XRIS)
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) Goddard Space Flight Center has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Space weather Observations at L1 to Advance Readiness (SOLAR) Series X-ray Irradiance Sensor (XRIS) acquisition. This opportunity seeks a contractor to design, develop, fabricate, and support two flight XRIS sensors to provide critical X-ray irradiance measurements for NOAA's space weather predictions. This is a full and open competition. Proposals are due July 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST.
Scope of Work
The selected contractor will be responsible for the full lifecycle of two flight XRIS sensors (one primary, one spare), including design, analysis, development, fabrication, integration, testing, calibration, evaluation, and support for launch and on-orbit checkout. Key deliverables include Ground Support Equipment (GSE), Ground Processing Algorithms (GPAs), and support for the Mission Operations Center (MOC) until mission handover. Post-delivery support is also required. The first flight unit (FM-1) is due by November 2029, and the second (FM-2) by May 2030, targeting a SOLAR-B Observatory launch in October 2032.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Primarily Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) for flight instruments and post-delivery support (CLINs 001, 002, 003). Time & Materials (T&M) for additional engineering analysis (CLIN 004) with a ceiling of $350,000.
- Period of Performance: Anticipated from November 2, 2026, through January 2034, or 15 months after FM-2 launch.
- Set-Aside: Full and Open Competition.
- NAICS Code: 336414 (Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing), 1,300-employee size standard.
- Place of Performance: Offsite at the Contractor's facility.
Submission & Evaluation
Proposals must be submitted electronically via NASA's Enterprise File Sharing and Sync Box (EFSS Box) by July 6, 2026, 5:00 PM EST. Questions are due by June 18, 2026, to Daniel S. Han (daniel.s.han@nasa.gov). The Government reserves the right to award a contract without negotiations. Evaluation will consider technical capabilities, past performance, and financial capability. Offerors must submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan, Quality Assurance Plan, Funding Profile, and T&M Rates. Disclosure of intent to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) during contract performance is required.
Key Compliance Requirements
Contractors must adhere to stringent Mission Assurance Requirements (MAR), Radiation Hardness Assurance Requirements (RHARD), and IT security protocols (ISSP, C-SCRM). Extensive data reporting, including Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL), IT Capital Planning and Investment Control (CPIC), and Commercial IT Authorization Reports (CITAR), is mandatory. An Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI) Plan will be required post-award.