Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerators

NASA Langley Research Center established this Master IDIQ on October 1, 2022, for the design, manufacturing, and testing of inflatable aerodynamic decelerators across three technical tracks: Track A (inflatable structures), Track B (flexible thermal protection systems), and Track C (solid-state gas generators). The vehicle remains active through September 30, 2027, with 14 months of ordering authority remaining.

The vehicle is heavily concentrated among five prime contractors. Jackson Bond Enterprises, LLC holds 8 orders valued at $5.4 million combined potential value, while Anasphere, Inc. and Ryzing Technologies LLC hold $3.7 million and $2.7 million respectively. Airborne Systems North America of CA Inc. and Miller Scientific Incorporated hold the remainder. Jackson Bond and Anasphere together represent approximately 70% of the vehicle's $13 million combined potential value. All 20 task orders issued to date fund NASA Langley work exclusively.

Task ordering has accelerated substantially: 1 order in 2022, 4 in 2023, 7 in 2024, and 8 through September 2025, reflecting growing program momentum. The vehicle is nearly fully obligated at $12.2 million of $13 million combined potential value (93%). Task orders span both firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee pricing, with durations typically 12–24 months and individual ceiling values ranging from roughly $50 thousand to $3.5 million. The most recent large order, issued September 25, 2025 to Track A for aeroshell integration support, carries a $1 million ceiling; a Track C gas generator order from the same period carries a $3.5 million ceiling.

Set-aside activity is minimal: 85% of orders carry no set-aside designation, while 15% are total small-business set-asides concentrated in Track B work. The vehicle's originating solicitation contemplated Track B and C as small-business reserved, though realized set-aside usage remains limited. Recent ordering momentum and low remaining potential value suggest limited growth opportunity; however, the September 2027 ordering deadline provides a narrow window for new primes to enter or existing primes to compete for residual work before the vehicle closes.

Provide the development of Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerators (IAD) technology for space vehicle aerocapture and entry, descent, and landing for atmospheric entry applications in hypersonic, supersonic, transonic, and subsonic regimes.