TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Passive Smart Container (MSC-TOPS-36)
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), through its Technology Transfer Program, is offering a licensing opportunity for its Passive Smart Container (MSC-TOPS-36) technology. This system uses RFID circuits to monitor and track small, difficult-to-tag items within a container. NASA is seeking companies interested in commercializing, manufacturing, and marketing this technology. Expressions of interest are due by February 27, 2027.
Scope of Technology
NASA's Johnson Space Center developed the Passive Smart Container to address challenges in tracking dense quantities of small items at the individual level, where traditional RFID is insufficient. The technology identifies the fill level in a container, making it suitable for industries such as individual healthcare management, pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution, and retail/supply chain inventory management. It can manage inventory for bulk grain foods, liquids, pills, mechanical parts (nuts, bolts, washers), and small electronic components.
Licensing Process
Companies interested in obtaining license rights (exclusive or nonexclusive, potentially with specific fields of use) must submit a license application through NASA’s Automated Technology Licensing Application System (ATLAS) at https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/MSC-TOPS-36. NASA provides no funding in conjunction with these potential licenses. For questions, contact Agency-Patent-Licensing@mail.nasa.gov, referencing the technology title.
Key Dates
- Response Due: February 27, 2027
- Published: March 3, 2026
Important Considerations
This is a Special Notice for technology transfer and licensing; it is not a procurement opportunity. NASA does not manufacture products for commercial sale and provides no funding. Responses are used for market research to gauge public interest and potential for future licensing. No follow-on procurement is expected from responses to this notice.