Research and Technologies for Aerospace Propulsion Systems 2 (RTAPS2)

The Research and Technologies for Aerospace Propulsion Systems 2 (RTAPS2) is a multiple-award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract supporting NASA's advanced aerospace research and development initiatives. The contract focuses on developing, demonstrating, and verifying advanced technologies across critical aerospace domains including propulsion systems, communications, structures, materials, and power technologies for both aeronautics and space missions. NASA established this contract to enable long-term aerospace research programs that address complex technological challenges in aerospace engineering and exploration.

The task orders under this IDIQ vehicle predominantly involve research and development efforts with NASA Glenn Research Center and Marshall Space Flight Center as primary funding sources. Key contractors include General Electric Company, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Aerojet Rocketdyne, and MTI Systems, with task order values ranging from approximately $130,000 to $14.7 million. The task orders cover diverse technological research areas such as turbofan engine development, ceramic matrix composite materials, hybrid electric powertrains, circuit breakers, rocket engine redesign, communications technologies, and advanced propulsion system investigations. Most task orders are not set aside for small businesses, and performance locations frequently include Ohio, California, and Maryland. The contract's pricing mechanisms vary, including cost-sharing, firm fixed-price, and cost-plus-fixed-fee arrangements, reflecting the complex and exploratory nature of the research being conducted.