NASA sets 2029 commercial station deadline

NASA released a draft solicitation on July 6 that sets a 2029 crewed flight-test requirement for companies seeking to build and operate private space stations for the agency after the International Space Station’s planned retirement. The draft request for proposals is part of NASA’s second phase for commercial low Earth orbit destinations and asks industry to comment before the agency issues a final competition. NASA said it intends to use firm-fixed-price, multi-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts. The agency also said the structure could keep more than one contractor in the race through early development before later task orders for final design, test, evaluation, certification and services. ### Why did NASA put a 2029 crewed test into the draft? The draft solicitation requires a provider to be ready to support a crewed flight test in 2029 as part of certification to fly and host NASA astronauts, according to NASA and Aviation Week’s review of the document. That date places a specific milestone on station developers as NASA prepares for a transition away from the ISS by 2030. (nasa.gov) Jared Isaacman, NASA’s administrator, said in the agency’s July 6 statement that industry had told NASA it could meet the timelines and that “a viable commercial marketplace exists where NASA is one customer among many.” NASA said the draft RFP followed a request for information released on March 25 and reflected industry feedback gathered during the acquisition process. (nasa.gov) ### How is NASA structuring the competition? NASA said the procurement would use firm-fixed-price, multi-award IDIQ contracts supporting development, certification and services for a commercial low Earth orbit destination. The agency said that approach would allow it to select “two or more contractors” through early development, then compete later task orders for final design, testing, evaluation, certification and services from one or more providers. (nasa.gov) The Johnson Space Center procurement page lists the effort as the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destination Contract, or CLDC. NASA’s acquisition page says the draft RFP was posted July 6 and identifies Ashley Chaves as contracting officer and Matthew Windemuth as contract specialist. ### What services would the winners have to provide? NASA wrote in the draft solicitation that contractors would “design, build, and operate” the destination and cover development and certification work including design, manufacturing, demonstration and testing, qualification, production, transportation vehicles, operational cargo and crew missions, and post-certification utilization activities. (nasa.gov) Aviation Week reported that NASA may provide transportation for a limited period if a company asks for government-furnished transportation and support services as part of an alternative approach. (nasa.gov) NASA also said the work could involve classified information or work in a security area up to the Top Secret level. Aviation Week reported the draft says offerors must obtain and maintain a national security facility clearance up to Top Secret and provide personnel clearances where NASA identifies that need. ### Where does the draft stand now? (aviationweek.com) SAM.gov shows NASA updated the notice on July 7 and kept the response deadline at July 24 at 8 a.m. Central, while NASA’s public statement said industry feedback is due July 27. The agency’s procurement page says it held an industry briefing on July 9 at Johnson Space Center in Houston and scheduled one-on-one meetings for July 13 through July 15. (aviationweek.com) Aviation Week reported NASA expects a final RFP in late August, with proposals due about 60 days later and contract awards expected in spring 2027. NASA’s procurement page says interested parties should keep monitoring SAM.gov and the acquisition website for amendments and the final solicitation. (aviationweek.com) (sam.gov)