This Sources Sought opportunity from National Aeronautics And Space Administration was posted on September 4, 2026. The submission period has ended. Browse the details below for market research, or find similar active opportunities.
NASA Launch Services II (NLS-II) 2026 On-Ramp
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
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The NASA Launch Services II (NLS II) program, managed by the NASA Kennedy Space Center, utilizes an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract structure to secure launch services for NASA-owned or sponsored payloads. The Request for Proposal (RFP10-99-0021-Rev_U) and its associated ordering period remain valid through June 30, 2030. A key feature of this acquisition is an innovative on-ramp provision that allows the government to accept proposals from new launch service providers and existing IDIQ contractors, such as United Launch Services, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, SpaceX, and Blue Origin, typically every August or as established via synopsis. To be eligible, offerors must be domestic launch service providers and hold AS9100 certification by the date of contract award. Proposed launch vehicles must be capable of being certified to risk mitigation Category 2 and 3 per NASA Policy Directive 8610.7D and must meet minimum performance capabilities of delivering a 250kg payload to an orbit altitude of 200km with a launch inclination of 28.5 degrees. For the 2026 on-ramp opportunity, interested parties were requested to notify NASA in writing by October 5, 2026, providing their intent to propose, launch vehicle configurations, and current flight manifests.
General Info
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FLSet-Aside
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Submission Closed
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
The NASA Launch Services (NLS) II Request for Proposal (RFP) remains open until June 30, 2030 through the use of an innovative on-ramp provision found in Section C, Clause 2.0. The NLS II contract’s ordering period remains valid through June 30, 2030. The RFP has resulted in the award of Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) task order contracts to United Launch Services, LLC; Orbital Sciences Corporation (currently known as Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation); Space Exploration Technologies; and Blue Origin, LLC. Each August during the life of the solicitation, or at any other time established via synopsis, the Government will accept proposals from new launch service providers for IDIQ contracts and proposals from existing IDIQ contractors for additional launch services. The Government is currently contemplating opening an on-ramp opportunity.
Launch services proposed under the NLS II solicitation shall only include launch vehicles capable of being certified to risk mitigation Category 2 and 3 in accordance with NASA Policy Directive 8610.7D, Launch Services Risk Mitigation Policy for NASA-Owned and/or NASA-Sponsored Payloads/Missions. These launch services, at a minimum, shall be capable of delivering a 250kg payload to orbit at an altitude of 200km and a launch inclination of 28.5 degrees. This acquisition is restricted to domestic sources. Minimum contract requirements will be set forth in Attachment E3, Paragraph 1.0 of the NLS II RFP when released. Specifically, in addition to the launch vehicle requirements described above, offerors must be domestic launch service providers and must be AS9100 certified by the date of contract award.
It is requested that any interested party notify NASA in writing no later than October 5, 2026, of your intent to submit a proposal during this on-ramp period as well as a description of the launch vehicle configuration(s) you intend to propose and current flight manifest. If the Government chooses to conduct an On Ramp by issuing a solicitation notice, new launch service providers and current IDIQ contractors will be allowed to submit proposals, within the notice's stated response time. An ombudsman has been appointed in accordance with NFS 1852.215-84.
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