(50) spools of Hi-Nicalon™ high-performance, continuous silicon carbide fiber (equivalent to 5.5 kg of fiber). Manufacturer Part # is NLH107.

This procurement is a sole-source requirement for fifty spools of Hi-Nicalon™ high-performance continuous silicon carbide fiber, manufacturer part number NLH107, totaling 5.5 kilograms, procured under FAR 12.102(a) as a commercial item. The sole authorized U.S. distributor is COI Ceramics, Inc., and no competitive sourcing is feasible due to the material’s unique technical properties—including high strength, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance—critical for fabricating encapsulating structures in the SR-1 Freedom nuclear electric propulsion vehicle’s reactor core. The fiber must be sourced exclusively through COI Ceramics to ensure conformance to manufacturer specifications and maintain pricing benefits tied to direct distribution from Ube Industries, Ltd. in Japan. Delivery is targeted for summer 2026 to NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, with a critical seven-to-eight-week lead time contingent upon Defense Logistics Agency approval to release material from its strategic stockpile; failure to secure timely release could delay delivery to the end of 2027, risking program milestones. The acquisition is not subject to competitive evaluation, and no evaluation factors, weights, or adjectival ratings apply. No formal contract clauses from FAR Part 52, pricing figures, payment details, accounting codes, or inspection criteria beyond the manufacturer’s specification are provided. Packaging, marking, and labeling requirements are assumed to follow commercial item practices under FAR Part 12 without additional military or specialized standards. The sole point of contact is Shanna Patterson of the NASA Shared Services Center at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, to whom written proposals must be submitted via email by 7:00 a.m. Central Time on June 30, 2026. No subcontracting, options, security clearances, or key personnel provisions are included, and representations or certifications from the vendor are not documented in the solicitation package.