This Sources Sought opportunity from National Aeronautics And Space Administration was posted on August 20, 2026. The submission period has ended. Browse the details below for market research, or find similar active opportunities.
Optical Engineering and Optomechanical Engineering Services RFI
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The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is seeking information from qualified vendors capable of providing comprehensive Optical Engineering and Optomechanical Engineering services to support a diverse portfolio of advanced space instruments, including off-axis reflective telescopes, cryogenic imaging systems, hyperspectral imagers, and multiband systems. Vendors must demonstrate expertise across the full engineering life cycle, including high-level optical design and modeling, complex optomechanical hardware development, Structural Thermal Optical Performance analysis, automated test equipment, and hands-on cleanroom integration, precision alignment, and verification. Due to the sensitive nature of some projects, partners must be able to operate effectively in both unclassified environments and on highly classified missions requiring TS/SCI clearance, demonstrating institutional flexibility to manage mixed classification workloads. The work also involves building multiple identical flight systems, necessitating close collaboration with JPL personnel to transfer and institutionalize proprietary alignment and test methodologies. Responses are required by 3:00 PM Pacific Time on August 21, 2026, and will be used solely for planning purposes to assess potential sources and determine eligibility for future procurements, including potential Small Business Set-Asides under NAICS code 541715 with a size standard of 1,000 employees. All submitted information will be treated as provided with unlimited rights to JPL, which assumes no liability for its use, disclosure, or reproduction. The contracting office is located in Pasadena, California, and all submissions must be sent electronically to Shannon Grover, JPL Subcontracts Manager. This RFI does not represent a solicitation or obligation to award any contract, and respondents bear all costs associated with their submissions.
General Info
Place of Performance
Pasadena, CA, 91101, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Submission Closed
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is seeking information from qualified vendors regarding their capability to provide Optical Engineering and Optomechanical Engineering services.
As our Optics & Spectroscopy Section proposes new work, we are forecasting potential resource shortfalls across upcoming flight programs. To mitigate this, JPL is seeking external partners capable of supporting the full engineering life cycle of specialized instruments. Specifically, our pipeline involves development across a diverse portfolio of complex architectures, including off-axis reflective telescopes, cryogenic imaging systems, hyperspectral imaging systems, and multiband imaging systems.
Qualified organizations must possess the capabilities to perform high-level optical design and modeling, complex optomechanical hardware design, Structural Thermal Optical Performance (STOP) analysis, test equipment automation, and hands-on integration, precision alignment, and verification within cleanroom environments.
Due to the mixed classification levels of the targeted instrument portfolio, some but not all the work may require an active TS/SCI clearance. Partners must have the institutional agility to support both unclassified engineering work packages and highly secured, classified project components.
Furthermore, because select projects involve building multiple copies of identical instruments, our technical strategy requires a structured technology transfer process. Partners will be expected to collaborate closely with JPL personnel to teach, share, and institutionalize custom alignment and test methodologies.
This RFI is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or commitment to procure any services. Neither JPL nor the U.S. Government will be responsible for any costs incurred by you in furnishing any information. Responses received will be carefully reviewed by JPL and may be considered as part of a future solicitation. Prospective subcontractors are advised that any information provided shall be deemed to be furnished with unlimited rights to JPL, with JPL assuming no liability for the disclosure, use, or reproduction of such data.
This RFI is to also gather information of potential qualified sources and to obtain your business size relative to the following NAICS code: 541715 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) with a size standard of 1,000 Employees. Responses to this RFI may be used by JPL to make appropriate decisions regarding a Small Business Set-Aside procurement.
All responses shall be submitted by 3:00 PM Pacific Time on Friday, August 21, 2026, electronically to the undersigned.
Information about JPL can be found at: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/who-we-are/.
Thank you,
Shannon Grover
JPL Subcontracts Manager
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