NASA Research Announcement (NRA) - Development Plan for Open Fan Flight Demonstration

NASA Glenn Research Center is soliciting proposals for the Development Plan for an Open Fan Flight Demonstration through a Full and Open Competition under solicitation number 80GRC026R0002, with a submission deadline of August 3, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EDT. The objective is to develop a comprehensive plan that defines the requirements, scope, and feasibility of an open-fan propulsion system for a next-generation single-aisle transport aircraft targeting fleet introduction between 2035 and 2040, with specific parameters including passenger capacity of 150–180, design range of 3,500 nautical miles, cruise Mach of 0.78–0.82, and a gate span no greater than 118 feet. Proposals must include a final plan detailing investment strategies and market analysis, a roadmap for the evolution of the open fan concept toward a future vision product, and comprehensive risk documentation using a 5x5 Likelihood/Consequence scoring method that identifies the top ten risks with mitigation plans. The technical scope requires analysis of aerodynamic integration, structural impacts, noise and emissions, and propulsion reliability, and must be submitted as a single searchable, unlocked PDF with edit permissions enabled, along with a separate Excel-based Price/Cost Volume using Attachment B’s hybrid template and a Business Volume meeting Section VI requirements. Eligibility is restricted to U.S.-organized entities more than 50% owned and controlled by U.S. nationals, requiring completion of the Eligibility Certification and Supplemental Information Form, and proposers must also submit a Data Rights Assertion Table identifying the lowest segregable level of technical development and asserting rights based on private expense development. Proposals must be submitted via NASA’s EFSS Box portal, with pre-submission coordination required at least 48 hours in advance, including notification of intent to submit and a test file submission for new users. The contract includes two CLINs: CLIN 01 on a Firm Fixed Price basis and CLIN 02 on a Cost Plus Fixed Fee basis, with budget justifications required for each. Evaluation is conducted through a best-value trade-off where technical merit is significantly more important than cost, with past experience serving as a mandatory pass/fail gate—failure to demonstrate relevant experience within the last three years disqualifies a proposal. The selected contractor will be required to use the NASA BOX system for deliveries, comply with NASA-HDB