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

UPDATE 6: Final Solicitation Release Question Submittal Window: Closes end of day June 9, 2026 Proposal Due Date: 10:00 a.m. Central Time, July 7, 2026 Update 6 constitutes the final solicitation release and supersedes all prior versions. This notice does not commit the Government to award, nor will the Government reimburse any costs incurred in preparing responses. NASA hereby releases the NextSTEP‑3 APPENDIX E: Network Extension for User Continuity and Sustainability (NEXUS) Backward‑Compatible Ka‑Band Relay Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), Solicitation 80MSFC26R0006. NAICS: 541715 Set‑Aside: None Foreign Participation: Not permitted NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, applies. Current Ombudsman information is available at https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf. All questions, comments, suggestions, or requests regarding the NEXUS TDRS‑BC acquisition must be submitted only to: Jennifer George Lead Contracting Officer, NASA/MSFC/PS50 MSFC-NEXUS@mail.nasa.gov This final solicitation includes a Service Requirements Document (SRD) which contains ITAR-controlled technical data. The clause at NFS 1852.225-70 (Export Licenses) has been incorporated. Therefore, access to these materials is restricted to contractors with valid ITAR/EAR 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 this solicitation attachment, 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.  Offerors will not be granted extensions to the proposal submission due from resultant delays in ITAR/EAR export clearance procedures. Communications outside the instructions provided in this SAM.gov posting or its associated attachments will not be considered. Only the information contained in the final solicitation is binding. Interested offerors must review the final solicitation in full for any content changes. Any previously posted briefings or presentations are non‑binding and subject to change.                  _________________________________________________________________________ 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 tra