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Early Stage Innovations (ESI26)

Active
NNH26ZTR001N-26ESI_B2Grant

Contract Overview

Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.

AI Contract Overview

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The Early Stage Innovations (ESI26) solicitation, issued under NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate as Appendix B2 to the SpaceTech REDDI 2026 NRA, seeks proposals for the development and proof-of-concept demonstration of autonomous or supervised robotic systems to enhance the deployment, commissioning, inspection, and servicing of surface power assets in space environments. The primary focus is on technologies that enable robotic handling of power generation and distribution elements such as VSAT, Fission Surface Power systems, radiators, and cabling, with goals including reduced operational overhead, extended temporal and regional coverage, improved robustness against failure modes, and minimized landed mass. Proposals must include a comprehensive technical and management plan with defined milestones, success metrics, risk mitigation strategies, and a clear discussion of the current and projected Technology Readiness Level. The funding ceiling is $750,000 per award, with no single year exceeding $250,000, and the anticipated award duration is up to three years. At least 70% of the proposed budget must support U.S. institutions of higher education, with a minimum of 50% directed to the proposing institution. All budget submissions must be anonymized to comply with the Dual-Anonymous Peer Review (DAPR) process, which ensures objective technical evaluation by separating identifying information into a non-anonymized expert validation document. Proposal submission must occur through NSPIRES in searchable, unlocked PDF format, with a mandatory Preliminary Proposal due by August 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET, and full proposals invited only after preliminary review. Late submissions are rejected without consideration. All applicants must be registered in SAM.gov with an active Unique Entity Identifier and must comply with NASA-specific certification requirements through NSPIRES, including adherence to federal regulations governing grants and cooperative agreements under 2 CFR 200, 1800, 170, 175, 182, and 183. Contract awards are governed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation and the NASA FAR Supplement, excluding FAR Part 12 contracts. Allowable costs follow 2 CFR 200 Subpart E for grants, while contracts require adherence to FAR Part 31 and NFS Part 1831, with a Certificate of Current Cost or Pricing Data mandated if the proposal exceeds $2,000,000. Small business subcontracting plans apply to non

General Info

NASA seeks early-stage tech proposals from U.S. entities with cost share, due August 13, 2026, via designated portal.

Agency

National Aeronautics And Space Administration → Space Technology Mission DirectorateView Agency

NAICS

541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)View NAICS

Place of Performance

Not specified

Set-Aside

NONE

Documents

(14)

ESI26 Technical FAQ Topic 5 for SpaceTech REDDI 2026

PDF•q-and-a

ESI-summary-chart-template.pptx

PPTX

ESI26 Technical FAQ Topic 6 for SpaceTech REDDI 2026

PDF•q-and-a

NASA SpaceTech REDDI 2026 NASA Research Announcement NNH26ZTR001N

PDF•nra

ESI26 Technical FAQ Topic 3 Oxidation-Resistant Refractory Alloys

PDF•q-and-a

ESI26 Technical FAQ Topic 2 for SpaceTech REDDI 2026

PDF•q-and-a

ESI Summary Chart Template for Space Technology Research

PDF•other

NASA SpaceTech REDDI 2026 Early Stage Innovations Appendix B2

PDF•presolicitation

NASA Guidelines for Proposers Responding to SpaceTech REDDI DAPR Appendices 2026

PDF•guidelines

ESI26 Technical FAQ Topic 7 Large Surface Area Electrospray Thruster

PDF•q-and-a

ESI26 Appendix Early Stage Innovations 2026 FAQ

PDF•q-and-a

ESI26 Technical FAQ Topic 8 for SpaceTech REDDI 2026

PDF•q-and-a

ESI26 Technical FAQ Topic 1 for SpaceTech REDDI 2026 Appendix

PDF•q-and-a

ESI26 Technical FAQ Topic 4 - Entry-Induced Fracture Modeling

PDF•q-and-a

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Timeline

PhaseSolicitation
Posted

Solicitation

Response Deadline

Submission deadline

Response Deadline

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Organization & Contact Information

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AgencyNational Aeronautics And Space Administration → Space Technology Mission Directorate
ContactsNo contacts available
OfficeUS
Organization / Agency
National Aeronautics And Space Administration → Space Technology Mission Directorate
View Agency Profile
Office AddressUS
ContactsNo contact information available

Full Description

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............................ 4 3. Agency Contact Information ............................................................................................... 4 B. Eligibility ................................................................................................................................... 5 1. Eligible Applicants .............................................................................................................. 5 2. Cost Sharing ........................................................................................................................ 5 3. Other Eligibility Criteria ...................................................................................................... 5 C. Program Description ................................................................................................................ 6 D. Application Contents and Format .......................................................................................... 7 1. Notice of Intent to Propose .................................................................................................. 7 2. Proposal Format and Contents............................................................................................. 7 E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines ............................................................................ 11 1. How To Request an Application Package ........................................................................ 11 2. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM) .................. 11 3. Registration Information .................................................................................................. 11 4. Submission Instructions ................................................................................................... 11 5. Application Submission Deadline .................................................................................... 12 6. Other Submission Requirements ...................................................................................... 12 F. Application Review Information .......................................................................................... 13 1. Application Evaluation Criteria ........................................................................................ 13 2. Review and Selection Process .......................................................................................... 13 3. Process for Appeals .......................................................................................................... 15 G. Award Notices ......................................................................................................................... 16 1. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates .................................................... 16 2. Notice of Award ...............................................................................................................

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