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

NASA/Glenn Research Center (GRC) plans to issue an Appendix under the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnership (NextSTEP-3) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), titled Appendix A- Lunar Enabling Infrastructure Accelerator (LEIA) on behalf of the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD).

NASA's STMD is responsible for accelerating the technological readiness of key systems and closing capability gaps critical to lunar surface and cislunar architecture.  Paramount to this endeavor is a competitive and robust U.S. industrial base, which NASA relies upon as partners in the design, development, testing, and evaluation of innovative, industry-driven solutions to U.S. space priorities. Through the Appendix that NASA GRC plans to solicit, STMD seeks proposals from U.S. institutions to mature and demonstrate capabilities in the areas of vertical solar arrays, in situ resource utilization (ISRU) oxygen production systems, Stirling radioisotope generators, in-space manufacturing, and advanced nanomaterials production. These targeted technology areas require further risk reduction and ground demonstrations to advance competing solutions to Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 5-6. The efforts supported under this solicitation advance the technology objectives of NASA’s Moon Base by demonstrating critical systems and accelerating the development of transformative capabilities essential to near-term mission success.

Accordingly, NASA GRC is seeking capability statements from all interested parties, including all socioeconomic categories of Small Businesses and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)/Minority Institutions (MI) for the purposes of determining the appropriate level of competition and/or small business subcontracting goals for LEIA. The Government reserves the right to consider a Small, 8(a), Women-owned (WOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran (SD-VOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-owned Small Business (EDWOSB) or HUBZone business set-aside based on responses received.

Vendors having the capabilities necessary to meet or exceed the stated requirements are invited to submit appropriate documentation, literature, brochures, and references.

The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial product or commercial service using FAR Part 12.   

The NAICS Code and Size Standard are 541715 and 1,000, respectively.

The anticipated release date of the Draft BAA is on or about June 2026. The anticipated release date of the Final BAA is on or about August 2026 with an anticipated offer due date of on or about September 2026. These dates are tentative.

NASA GRC also plans to hold an Industry Day; however, the date, time, and location for the Industry Day have not yet been determined. These details will be included in the Draft BAA, if released.

NASA 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

When a solicitation is released, then it and any additional documents will be available on Sam.gov.

No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor this website for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any). 

Prospective offerors are encouraged to notify this office of their intent to submit an offer. All contractual and technical questions must be submitted electronically via email to Linda Nabors (linda.m.nabors@nasa.gov) & Ian Park (ian.park@nasa.gov) not later than June 3, 2026, at 5:00 PM EDT. Telephone questions will not be accepted.