COTS Lens Adaptation and Performance Evaluation

NASA is seeking a small business to evaluate commercial off-the-shelf lenses for potential adaptation to the Wide Field Camera Core system, focusing on their performance under space conditions. The work includes a rigorous ruggedization analysis to assess structural and thermal resilience, simulation of the space environment to test durability against radiation, vacuum, and extreme temperatures, and a comprehensive cost-benefit trade study to determine feasibility versus custom optical solutions. The contract is a subcontract under a total small business set-aside, ensuring eligibility is limited to small businesses as defined by the SBA, with NAICS code 541715 covering research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The solicitation was posted on July 28, 2026, with a tight response deadline of July 29, 2026, indicating urgency in securing a partner capable of delivering rapid, high-fidelity technical analysis. Performance is expected to support NASA’s objectives for cost-effective, reliable optical systems in space missions, with all work directed toward enabling mission-critical capability through mature commercial technology.