On Monday, NASA released a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking feedback from U.S. companies on the next phase of its commercial space station strategy, aimed at ensuring a smooth transition of low-Earth orbit activities from the International Space Station.

“NASA’s review reflects what we have been hearing from industry throughout this process. Industry believes it can meet the deadlines and that a viable commercial market exists where NASA is one customer among many,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “We are focused on supporting those efforts, enabling the capabilities that make this transition possible, and doing everything we can to ensure the United States maintains a continued human presence in low-Earth orbit.”

The draft RFP is based on the agency’s request for information published March 25. Based on industry input, NASA will continue its original plan to procure commercial services through FAR-based contracts awarded through full and open competition. Industry has indicated that there is significant capital investment behind this approach and has expressed great confidence in its ability to attract additional capital investment and expand future market opportunities after NASA awards the award.

NASA intends to award firm-fixed-price, multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts that support development, certification, and services. This approach would allow NASA to select two or more contractors through initial development, followed by a competitive task order for final design, testing, evaluation, as well as certification and services from one or more contractors.

Industry comments are due by Monday, July 27. NASA will also hold an industry briefing on Thursday, July 9 at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston to provide a high-level summary of documents and expectations.

The draft RFP provides companies the opportunity to review and comment on the planned acquisition approach for future commercial space station services, helping to shape the agency’s path forward as it moves forward with its original commercial strategy. This strategy will provide the government with reliable, secure and cost-effective services through commercial partners, allowing NASA to focus on the next step in humanity’s deep space exploration while continuing to use low Earth orbit as an ideal training environment and testing ground for the Artemis missions to the Moon and future human exploration of Mars.

Learn more about commercial space stations at:

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialspacestations