Lunar Enabling Infrastructure Accelerator (LEIA) -Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) NextSTEP-3 Appendix A

NASA’s Glenn Research Center is preparing to issue an appendix under the NextSTEP-3 Broad Agency Announcement to solicit proposals for advancing critical technologies essential to establishing a sustainable lunar presence. The Lunar Enabling Infrastructure Accelerator initiative targets high-priority areas including vertical solar arrays, in situ resource utilization systems for oxygen production, Stirling radioisotope generators, in-space manufacturing, and advanced nanomaterials production. These technologies must undergo further development and ground-based demonstrations to reach Technology Readiness Levels 5 to 6, reducing technical risk and enabling future lunar missions. Proposals are expected from U.S. institutions and will directly support NASA’s broader Moon Base objectives by creating foundational infrastructure for long-term human exploration. The solicitation is forecasted for release on July 1, 2026, with no set-aside classification specified, and is classified under NAICS code 541715 for research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Point of contact for inquiries is Matthew L. Curtin, with Robert E. Watts serving as the Small Business Specialist. The place of performance remains to be determined, and all proposals will be managed through NASA’s official procurement forecasting portal.