Integration and flight support for EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope (EXCITE) Balloon Mission Gondola System science flight.
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
AI Contract Overview
NASA/NSSC is seeking integration and flight support for the EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope (EXCITE) Balloon Mission Gondola System science flight. The scope of work involves providing compatibility and in-flight commissioning support for the 2026/2027 science flight, with performance located at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Key technical requirements include verifying gondola flight readiness, ensuring communications between the science instrument and the gondola system, and validating telemetry links via Starlink, Iridium, and TDRSS. Additionally, the vendor must perform in-flight tuning of the pointing system using reference stars and science targets. The period of performance is scheduled from November 20, 2026, through December 31, 2027, and requires personnel approved for travel to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, for the FY27 summer season. This procurement is being conducted under FAR Part 12 for commercial items and services, utilizing NAICS code 541715. NASA/NSSC intends to issue a sole source contract to Starspec Technologies Inc, having determined them to be the sole provider capable of meeting the mission's specific mechanical, electrical, and software requirements. Currently, the government is requesting capability statements by November 2, 2026, to evaluate whether the procurement can be conducted on a competitive basis. All submissions must be sent in writing to the primary point of contact, Laura Quave, and must reference the notice ID. NASA FAR Supplement Clause 1852.215-84 regarding the Ombudsman is also applicable to this acquisition.
General Info
Place of Performance
MS, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Response Deadline
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
SPECIAL NOTICE:
VENDORS MUST REFERENCE THE NOTICE ID WHEN SUBMITTING A CAPABILITY STATEMENT.
NASA/NSSC has a requirement for Integration and flight support for EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope (EXCITE) Balloon Mission Gondola System science flight.
NASA/NSSC intends to issue a sole source contract to STARSPEC TECHNOLOGIES INC 402 Harmony Road Units 8-11 Ayr, Ontario N0B 1E0 Canada under the authority of FAR 12.102(a). It has been determined that STARSPEC TECHNOLOGIES INC is the sole provider of Integration and flight support for EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope (EXCITE) Balloon Mission Gondola System science flight.
NASA/NSSC will be the procuring center for this effort. Performance will be located at NASA/ Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).
The Government intends to acquire Commercial items or services using the provisions, clauses and procedures prescribed in FAR Part 12 for Commercial
The NAICS Code for this procurement is 541715.
Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 12:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on 11/2/2026. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government.
Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.
NOTE: Quotes received in response to this notice will NOT be considered and will not be evaluated by NASA’s Technical End User Team. We are currently only requesting Capability Statements.
NASA FAR Supplement Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf .
Primary Point of Contact:
Laura Quave
Procurement Specialist II
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