Network Extension for User Continuity and Sustainability (NEXUS) Ka-Band Back...

UPDATE 5:  Update summary level description, and two draft attachment updates incorporated as follows: A_NEXUS TDRS-BC Statement of Objectives (SOO)_20260522 (Draft), and B_Service Requirements Document_CUI_ITAR_20260522 (Draft) NASA intends to release a BAA under Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP-3), Appendix E, for Project NEXUS, Ka-band Backward- Compatible Relay. As the aging Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) declines, NASA’s objective is to acquire an end-to-end Ka-band relay service (end-to-end must include: space, ground, launch, integration, and operations elements) that is backward compatible with legacy TDRSS users for a minimum of fifteen years. This capability is needed to support select on-orbit missions that cannot feasibly modify flight hardware or transition to non-compatible commercial services. To reduce growing continuity risk in the 2029- 2031 timeframe, industry is asked to develop and demonstrate this end-to-end capability. The BAA will be a phased competitive Research and Development (R&D) acquisition. NASA anticipates multiple initial Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) awards. NASA does not anticipate being the sole commercial customer and anticipates proposed solutions to be supported by a broader commercial business case beyond NASA. NAICS: Phases 1–3: 541715. NASA seeks to accelerate maturation of commercially viable capabilities through competitive research demonstrations to support transition to future operational services,. All proposed satellite orbit solutions are acceptable notwithstanding that the proposed solutions will be expected to include all elements necessary for industry to develop, deliver and sustain the end-to-end relay service capability, including, but not limited to: Space segment, associated launch services, as applicable, ground and network infrastructure, and service operations and maintenance. Accordingly, NASA may use knowledge gained through this BAA, including demonstration results, technical data, and operational insight, to inform future acquisition strategies for operational services. Participation in this BAA does not guarantee eligibility for or award of any future procurement. NASA may also issue R&D phase-out and service transition contracts to one or more BAA participants while pursuing a broader acquisition strategy for long-term operational services. This effort is intended to support NASA’s transition to commercially provided, backward-compatible Ka-band relay services for a minimum 15-year service period. NAICS: Phases 4 & 5: 517810 (All Other Telecommunications) and/or 517410 (Satellite Communication). The BAA is expected to be structured as follows: CLIN 1 (6 months) Concept Maturation and Risk Reduction Option CLIN 2 (up to 24 months) System Integration, Flight Demonstration and Capability Verification and Validation Option CLIN 3 (up to 6 months) Additional Demonstration, Anomaly Resolution and Service Validation The Anticipated BAA acquisition schedule is as follows:  Presolicitation Notification/Synopsis released March 23, 2026. Draft solicitation released April 9, 2026. Draft solicitation industry day conducted April 14, 2026.  Industry site visits and 1:1 meetings conducted April 14-April 29, 2026, this window of opportunity has officially closed. Participation in a site visit or a one-on-one was voluntary. NASA extended this offer to all interested parties to further its market research and collaborative partnerships in advance of finalizing the solicitation. A final BAA solicitation release is anticipated to occur in the May 29, 2026 – June 5, 2026 time frame. The proposal due date is anticipated to be June 26, 2026 - July 7, 2026. Specific instructions and firm due date will be identified in the full final BAA release. Set aside: None; full and open competition. No foreign offerors permitted. The draft and final solicitation include a Service Requirements Document (SRD) which contains ITAR-controlled technical data. The clause at NFS 1852.225-70 (Export Licenses) will be incorporated. Therefore, access to these materials is restricted to contractors with valid ITAR export clearance per NASA export-control procedures; such data will not be publicly posted on SAM.gov at any point. Interested parties seeking access to Draft Solicitation Attachment B, Service Requirements Document (SRD), must send a copy of its Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) Letter, or equivalent, to MSFC-NEXUS@mail.nasa.gov and requests access to the secured document in sam.gov.  AFTER NASA verifies the required ITAR clearance, then access to the controlled data will be granted in the secure sam.gov system.  Release of this document in sam.gov WILL NOT BE granted until an appropriate DDTC letter, or equivalent, is received and verified by NASA as outlined in the above process. This update 5 notification supersedes all prior releases. This update is for informati