Capability Studies for NASA Communications and Navigation Network Direct-to-Earth (DTE) and Lunar Space Relay (LSR) Commercialization Services

NASA intends to release a solicitation under the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships-2 (NextSTEP-2) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) to seek industry led capability studies to explore and demonstrate future enhancements and innovative communication capabilities needed for NASA's communication and navigation missions. These studies and demonstrations are intended to inform NASA and its stakeholders on industry's telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) capabilities and future innovations and concepts that would enable a commercial TT&C marketplace where NASA is one of many customers. The primary objectives of the upcoming Appendix O to the NextSTEP-2 BAA are as follows: (1) understand innovations and advancements in Radio Frequency (RF) compatibility testing that will lead to efficiencies of Near Space Network radio frequency architectures; (2) understand the barriers, challenges, and solutions associated with integration of optical communications ground terminals into the Near Space Network architecture; and (3) understand innovations and advancements in implementation of software defined radios and cloud computing assets into the Near Space Network architecture. Proposals awarded under this Appendix O will be evaluated in accordance with the omnibus BAA, Section 5. The Offeror shall provide a detailed study and demonstrations of innovative tools to be employed in Satellite Ground Operations as defined in the study areas to be highlighted in the Appendix O. NASA reserves the right to select for award multiple, one, or none of the proposals in response to this Appendix. The detailed study requirements and additional information on the overall acquisition strategy will be contained in the forthcoming Appendix O solicitation. NASA will use the information gained through these studies to produce an industry best practices reference guide with lessons learned covering all aspects of supporting commercial ground segment worldwide network(s) for both commercial and government spacecraft operating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO). Technical and programmatic comments and questions may be addressed by e-mail to Neal Barthelme, at neal.f.barthelme@nasa.gov. Submission information, participant eligibility, additional topic information and specific evaluation criteria for the solicitation will be identified in Appendix O when it is released.