What the buyer needs
AI summaryNASA/NSSC requires compatibility and in-flight commissioning support for the 2026/2027 EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope (EXCITE) balloon mission science flight. The selected vendor must verify gondola flight readiness, confirm communications across all telemetry links, tune the pointing system in flight, and provide in-person field support at NASA long duration balloon facilities. Work performance will occur at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, with a contract period of performance running from November 20, 2026, through December 31, 2027. NASA/NSSC intends to issue a sole source contract to StarSpec Technologies Inc., but interested organizations may submit written capability statements to demonstrate their ability to perform the effort. Eligible vendors must possess detailed knowledge of the EXCITE gondola systems and have personnel approved for travel to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, for the FY27 summer season. Capability statements must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on November 2, 2026, and quotes will not be considered.
Scope of work
- Verify telemetry links between gondola and ground systems including Starlink, Iridium, and TDRSS
- Verify gondola flight readiness and demonstrate laboratory pointing and functionality of required systems
- Perform in-flight tuning of the pointing system on reference targets and science targets
- Provide in-person field support at NASA long duration balloon facilities for compatibility, launch, and commissioning
Minimum qualifications
- Personnel approved for travel to McMurdo Station, Antarctica for the FY27 summer season
- Capable of operating the EXCITE gondola, including detailed knowledge of all mechanical, electrical, and software systems and interfaces
Documents to include with your response
- Capability Statement
How to submit
- Method
- In writing
- Instructions
- Submit capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact. Quotes will NOT be considered.
Incumbent and award research
No incumbent history found for this requirement. The notice does not cite a current contract, and no earlier award from this buying office matches it.
Market context
Awards in the same category (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)). This is not this requirement's award history.
Recent similar awards: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NAICS 541715
| Vendor and award | Value | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| BLUE ORIGIN MANUFACTURING, LLC80MSFC23CA014 · RAPID DDT&E AND DEMONSTRATION OF S SUSTAINABLE HUMAN LANDING SYSTEM INTEGRATED LANDER. | $2.2B | Apr 3, 2032 |
| PARAGON SPACE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION80JSC026F0112 · THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO ORDER CLIN 0001 AND 0002 SERVICES AND SUPPLIES FOR FI | $371.2K | Sep 30, 2031 |
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| RAYTHEON COMPANY80GSFC24CA038 · PROVIDE THREE LANDIS FLIGHT INSTRUMENT UNITS AND RELATED SERVICES, INCLUDING THE DESIGN, E | $227.0M | Mar 10, 2031 |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THE80MSFC26C0010 · TRUSS OPTICAL BENCH WILL BE UTILIZED BY THE ST14 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OFFICE ON THE SUPE | $548.0K | Dec 31, 2030 |
Top vendors in this category: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NAICS 541715, since Oct 1, 2024
3,348 contract awards in this NAICS over the period.
- 1. CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY$4.6B
- 2. THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC$957.7M
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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.