NASA Deep Space Autonomous Robotics Challenge: Call for Host Facility Interest
- Client
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Solicitation No.
- —
- Posted
- 10/20/2026
- Category
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Budget
- —
- NAICS
- 541990
- Set-aside
- —
- Contact
- Emma Zemler – Research Technology Mission Directorate
- emma.zemler@nasa.gov
Description
AI GeneratedNASA's Research Technology Mission Directorate seeks information from host facilities to support the NASA Deep Space Autonomous Robotics Challenge. The program aims to advance software solutions for multi-agent robotic systems preparing lunar and Martian infrastructure by providing physical testing footprint spaces in the United States. Academic institutions, private organizations, municipalities, and industry partners capable of providing an indoor, climate-controlled footprint of at least 50 by 50 feet with standard utilities and security protocols are eligible to express interest. Interested entities must submit a single PDF Capability Package of up to three pages via SAM.gov detailing their facility layout, photos, security, and availability windows between February and August 2028. Applicants must direct any questions by email with the specified subject line to the primary point of contact, Emma Zemler. The agency plans non-reimbursable partnerships, such as Space Act Agreements, for physical evaluations conducted over three to six months in 2028 and offers no funding to lease or purchase space.
Key solicitation details
AI-extracted from DSpARCSummary.pdf. Confirm against the original documents before bidding.
NASA is seeking information from academic institutions, private organizations, municipalities, and industry partners capable of providing a physical testing footprint in the United States for the NASA Deep Space Autonomous Robotics Challenge. The effort is structured as a non-reimbursable partnership to evaluate autonomous software for multi-agent robotic systems. The challenge features up to $5 million in total prizes for competing teams.
- Issued by
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Target site availability windows
- between February and August 2028
- Physical evaluations period
- consecutive three (3) to six (6) month period during late Spring and early Summer 2028
- How to submit
- Electronic via SAM.gov
- Submission details
- Compiled into a single PDF document not exceeding three (3) pages.
- Contract term
- Non-reimbursable partnership; physical evaluations held over a consecutive 3 to 6 month period.
- Estimated value
- Up to $5 million in total prizes (non-reimbursable partnership for host facility; no allocated funding to lease or purchase space)
- Place of performance
- United States
Scope of work
- Provide an indoor, climate-controlled testing footprint of at least 50 feet by 50 feet in the United States
- Provide a flat or substantially flat surface suitable for baseline mobile robotics and multi-agent ground operations
- Provide access to standard electrical utilities and reliable Wi-Fi network connectivity
- Maintain facility access controls and security protocols to safeguard hardware, software assets, and personnel
- Host physical evaluations over a consecutive three to six month period during late Spring and early Summer 2028
Minimum qualifications
- Academic institutions, private organizations, municipalities, or industry partners
- Facility located in the United States
- Indoor, climate-controlled footprint offering a minimum continuous surface area of 50 feet by 50 feet
- Flat or substantially flat surface suitable for baseline mobile robotics and multi-agent ground operations
- Access to standard electrical utilities and reliable Wi-Fi network connectivity
- Established facility access controls and security protocols
Documents to include with the bid
- Capability Package (single PDF, maximum 3 pages)
- Brief facility overview
- High-resolution site photographs showcasing the proposed 50’ x 50’ footprint
- Layout schematic
- Details on facility security protocols
- Target site availability windows between February and August 2028
Official SAM.gov notice
- Solicitation number
- 80JSC024R0004
- Agency
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Buying office
- Nasa Johnson Space Center
- Notice type
- Sources Sought
- Responses due
- Jan 31, 2027, 5:00 PM ET
- Posted on SAM.gov
- Oct 19, 2026
- NAICS
- 541990 · All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Product/service code
- R499
- Place of performance
- Washington, DC, 20546
- Contracting contact
- Emma Zemler – Research Technology Mission Directorate
emma.zemler@nasa.gov
Read the official notice description
The purpose of this SAM.gov notice is to announce that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Research Technology Mission Directorate (RTMD) has contracted with the Institute of Competition Sciences to implement the NASA Deep Space Autonomous Robotics Challenge to advance the Agency's goals in managing multi-agent robotic systems tasked with preparing lunar and Martian infrastructure before astronaut crews arrive. Open and carefully read the attached PDF file entitled “DSpARCSummary.” Direct links have been provided for more information on registration for the Challenge and for completing the application for the judging process. After reading the PDF attachment, by email only, address questions or other comments with a subject line to read “NASA Deep Space Autonomous Robotics Challenge Question/Clarification” to the listed primary point of contact.
Source: SAM.gov contract opportunities data (U.S. federal public data).
Incumbent
Likely prior awards for this requirement
Likely matchAwarded by the same buying office (80JSC0) with descriptions matching "nasa deep", performed in DC. The notice does not name its current contract, so confirm before relying on it.
| Vendor and award | Value | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| ZOZUDE LLC80JSC026F0064 · NASA DEEP SPACE AUTONOMOUS ROBOTICS CHALLENGE | $300.0K | Jan 31, 2029 |
Market context
Awards in the same category (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services). This is not this requirement's award history.
Recent similar awards: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NAICS 541990, performed in DC
| Vendor and award | Value | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES80HQTR26FA087 · STUDY - STRENGTHENING PREPARATION FOR THE FUTURE U.S. GEODETIC WORKFORCE | $830.0K | Jun 30, 2028 |
| NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES80HQTR22FA034 · AERONAUTICS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY ROUNDTABLE (ARTR) | $399.3K | Sep 30, 2027 |
| HYDROSAT INC80HQTR26F0021 · CSDA PROGRAM - EVALUATION TASK ORDER | $2.0M | Sep 29, 2027 |
| NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES80HQTR22FA026 · AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ENGINEERING BOARD MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES (ASEB) | $1.8M | Aug 16, 2027 |
| NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES80HQTR26FA055 · STANDING DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES FOLLOW ON DECADEL SURVEY FOR FI | $400.0K | Jun 30, 2027 |
Top vendors in this category: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NAICS 541990, since Oct 1, 2024
429 contract awards in this NAICS over the period.
- 1. PLANET LABS FEDERAL, INC.$43.1M
- 2. LUMINARY LABS LLC$20.5M
- 3. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES$11.6M
- 4. VANTOR INC.$11.2M
- 5. HEROX, PBC$7.5M
Source: USAspending.gov federal award data (U.S. federal public data). A contract is called the incumbent only when the notice or its documents cite it by number.
Verify important details
Document checkConfirm submission instructions and amendments with the issuing agency before responding.
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