Special Test Equipment (STE) Vacuum Chambers, Thermal Shroud, and Thermal Conditioning Units (TCU)
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 NASA/Glenn Research Center (GRC) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to understand industry capabilities and development needs for Special Test Equipment (STE), specifically vacuum chambers, thermal shrouds, and Thermal Conditioning Units (TCU). This RFI is for information and planning purposes only, seeking feedback on feasibility, reasonableness, Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) costs, and lead times. Responses are due by April 27, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST.
Scope of Work
NASA GRC is seeking information on the development of various STE components:
- Vacuum Chambers:
- Two large chambers (1&2): Approximately 10' tall x 11' wide x 20' long, accommodating ~4500 kg test articles. Must achieve 5x10^-8 Torr, 5x10^-9 STD ATM CC/SEC leak rate, #4 machine polished internal surfaces, and operate from 77K to 340K. Desired to be set in a recessed pit with a loading floor.
- Three smaller chambers (3,4,5): Approximately 9' tall x 9' wide x 18' long, accommodating 1000 kg test articles. Must achieve 5x10^-8 Torr, 5x10^-9 STD ATM CC/SEC leak rate, #4 machine polished internal surfaces, and operate from 77K to 425K. Desired to be set flat on a concrete floor with a swinging door.
- All chambers require welding and fabrication to meet ASME BPVC Section VIII, Div. 1.
- Thermal Shrouds:
- For large chambers (1&2): Capable of rejecting 100 kW heat load, handling fully flooded Liquid Nitrogen, and featuring interior high emissivity paint. Must accommodate and support 4500 kg test articles and be fully instrumented.
- For smaller chambers (3,4,5): Capable of rejecting at least 1 kW heat load (with pricing for up to 10 kW), handling fully flooded Liquid Nitrogen, and heat up to 475K. Must feature interior high emissivity paint and accommodate and support 1000 kg test articles.
- Thermal Conditioning Units (TCUs): For chambers 3,4,5. Must be controllable from 90K to 425K, with at least 10 kW refrigeration and 10 kW heating capacity, using N2 as the working fluid. Examples include Dynavac TCU400 to TCU1500 or similar.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Response Due: April 27, 2026, 3:00 PM EST
- Published: April 2, 2026
- Product Service Code: 6636 - Environmental Chambers And Related Equipment
Submission Requirements
Interested parties should provide feedback on the reasonableness and feasibility of the equipment, recommendations, Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) costs, and lead times. Responses must be in PDF format, no more than 50 pages, and may include external links. Submissions should be sent electronically to paige.e.foreman@nasa.gov, referencing 80GRC026RFI01.
Additional Notes
This RFI is solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract. NASA will not consider classified material, and proprietary information must be clearly marked. Responses may be used for future solicitations or public correspondence.