Surface LIDAR Requirements for Extraterrestrial Rovers
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) is issuing a Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI) to gather industry input on Surface LIDAR Requirements for Extraterrestrial Rovers. This effort aims to identify Key Driving Requirements (KDRs) and Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) for LIDAR sensors to support navigation, operations, and mapping for future lunar and Martian rover missions. Responses are due by February 5, 2026.
Scope of Work
NASA seeks information to reduce the risk of LIDAR integration into future missions by understanding industry needs, assessing capability gaps, and identifying routes for LIDAR maturation and infusion. Specifically, respondents should provide input on:
- Mission architecture and LIDAR use cases.
- Limiting factors and requirements driving interest in LIDAR beyond traditional vision-only approaches.
- Sensor candidates and modalities of interest (e.g., spinning, full frame, velocimetry).
- Important factors for LIDAR sensor selection (e.g., SWaP-C, point density, computational offload).
- Concerns with using LIDAR sensors or navigation.
- Whether the requirement would be commercially available or non-commercial.
- Agreement with proposed NAICS (334511) and PSC (6640) codes.
- Potential for subcontracting opportunities.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI)
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Response Due: February 5, 2026, by 22:00:00Z
- Published: December 22, 2025
- Place of Performance: Houston, TX
Evaluation & Path Forward
Responses are voluntary, will remain internal to NASA, and are not considered proposals. NASA plans to use the RFI responses to inform its testing roadmap development and industry engagement strategy for Year 2 of its LIDAR risk mitigation activity. This may include hosting an industry workshop, releasing test data, and offering analog test opportunities.
Submission Details
- Submissions must include company name, address, Point of Contact (POC), telephone number, socioeconomic size classification, years in business, UEI, and CAGE code.
- A description of relevant company capabilities is required.
- Submit replies electronically to Stephen.d.noethen@nasa.gov with the subject line "Surface LIDAR KPP and KDR RFI."
- Proprietary, export-controlled, or confidential information must be clearly marked.
- Responses have a 10-page limit and should use 12-point Times New Roman font, single-spaced.
Contact Information
- Primary Contact: Stephen Noethen
- Email: stephen.d.noethen@nasa.gov
- Phone: 3465287684