2026 08 03 FFRDC RFI-SSN.pdf

Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) Competitive Procurement Request for Information (RFI) and Sources Sought Notice (SSN)

FFRDC-26-RFI-SSN

August 3, 2026

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is hereby soliciting information regarding potential sources for a new competitive procurement for the management and operation of NASA’s Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. NASA is also seeking input regarding potential procurement strategies.

I. Background

NASA will compete the contract for the management and operation of the NASA’s only FFRDC at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (“Laboratory”). NASA announced its decision to compete this contract on May 22, 2026 (https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-to-compete-contract-for-jet-propulsion-laboratory-management/) based in part on the significant interest received in response to a previous RFI issued July 2025 (https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/9efc387491e24c7ebaaed647d5b8bd9d/view). This combined RFI/SSN is being issued in response to the decision to compete this contract to ensure all interested entities have an opportunity to provide capability statements and other information to support overall procurement strategy development.

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has managed the Laboratory since its inception in the 1930s, and previous NASA contracts for its management and operations have been awarded sole source to Caltech since the facility was transferred from the U.S. Army to NASA in 1958. The competitive procurement process envisions a new contract award in time to allow a sufficient transition before the current, 10-year contract (80NM0018D0004) expires on September 30, 2028.

The Laboratory is a Government-owned facility, supporting NASA and other Government Agencies (with NASA approval), that spans approximately 177 acres at the Main Campus in Pasadena, California; the Laboratory also encompasses additional facilities such as those at the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in Fort Irwin, California, and the Table Mountain Observatory in Wrightwood, California. The Laboratory consists of approximately 140 buildings, encompassing approximately 6,783,000 square feet of office space and 906,000 square feet of non-office space. These facilities are integral to advancing NASA’s science and exploration objectives and enabling the development and execution of complex space missions. Certain staff positions require security clearances rising to the Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmentalize Information (TS/SCI) level and some areas of the Laboratory require a facility clearance. The Laboratory has been an integral part of many NASA successes and NASA entrusts the Laboratory to lead critical, major NASA programs, projects, and tasks such as Mars landings and remote global sensing. For more information about the Laboratory, see https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/.

NASA has identified the Laboratory as the Deep Space and Robotics Center of Excellence, and it has established core capabilities in support of those activities, which also support human spaceflight missions. These core capabilities include highly complex, or first-in-kind, NASA deep space exploration and science missions and instruments, including mission concept development, design, project management, systems engineering, and mission operations, particularly for those missions requiring:

• Advanced science observations, as well as space research and technology development;

• Survival in extreme environments;

• Spacecraft navigation and trajectory design;

• Entry, descent, and landing on planetary surfaces;

• Mobility on planetary surfaces;

• Robotic systems autonomy;

https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-to-compete-contract-for-jet-propulsion-laboratory-management/ https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/9efc387491e24c7ebaaed647d5b8bd9d/view https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/

• Deep space communication system design and development; and

• Integration of radioisotope power systems.

Mission concepts and technology development may involve capabilities that are beyond the current state of the art, which NASA has utilized the Laboratory to investigate, develop, and implement. The Laboratory accomplishes directed and competed missions through program planning, concept engineering, trades, and analysis; development of enabling technologies; mission, system, and instrument design, analysis, development, fabrication, assembly, test and operations; and science data archival and analysis.

In accordance with Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul (RFO) Subpart 35.4, an FFRDC meets special long-term research or development needs that cannot be met as effectively by existing Government or contractor resources. FFRDCs allow agencies to use private sector resources for work integral to the agency’s mission. To fulfill its responsibilities, an FFRDC has special access to (1) Government and supplier data, including sensitive and proprietary information; (2) Government employees; and (3) Government facilities, equipment, and real property. NASA’s engagement with the Laboratory is subject to constraints in working with a Contractor, including limitations and protocols based on OMB Circulars, Office of Federal Procurement Policy, Federal statutes including the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the FAR/RFO, and the contract itself.

FFRDCs are operated, managed, and/or administered by (1) a university or consortium of universities; (2) a nonprofit organization; (3) an industrial firm, as an autonomous organization or as an identifiable separate operating unit of a parent organization, or (4) potential combinations and partnering across these three alternatives. Long-term relationships between the Government and FFRDCs are encouraged to provide the continuity that attracts and retains highly skilled personnel. This relationship should help the FFRDC stay current in its field(s) of expertise, enable innovation, maintain its objectivity and independence, understand its sponsor’s needs, and provide a quick response capability.

II. Requirements and Procurement Information

Enclosure A contains a draft summary scope of work for the currently envisioned requirements for this effort. The scope of work is broadly characterized as Research, Development, and Formulation; Programmatic; and Institutional as follows:

1. Research, Development, and Formulation Elements:

a. Conducting mission and technology applications research.

b. Performing cutting-edge research for the needs of all NASA directorates and other Government agencies (with NASA approval) to the extent that it achieves National space goals.

c. Development of research proposals for new science, technologies, data analysis, innovative approaches for space applications, and advanced concepts.

d. Enabling the development of advanced mission concepts and design studies.

e. Supporting Research and Analysis (R&A) and Small Business Innovation Research/Small

Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs.

2. Programmatic Elements:

a. Developing and managing NASA-approved projects and missions across NASA directorates and with other Government agencies (with NASA approval).

b. Specialized mission and technology support.

c. Deep Space and Unique Robotic Mission Operations.

d. Engineering, Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA), and Health technical authority.

e. Deep space communication and navigation.

3. Institutional Elements:

a. Organizational culture.

b. Protective services.

c. Fire department/emergency response.

d. Emergency management.

e. Facility operations, master planning, and construction management.

f. Information technology.

g. Environmental management.

h. Logistics management.

i. Outreach and communication activities.

The TENTATIVE procurement schedule is as follows:

Milestone Date Draft Request for Proposal (RFP) 1st Quarter Calendar Year (CY) 2027 Final RFP 2nd Quarter CY 2027 Proposal Due Date 3rd Quarter CY 2027 Contract Award 1st Quarter CY 2028 Contract Start October 1, 2028

III. Capability Statements and Procurement Strategy Input

One of the goals of this synopsis is to assist NASA in determining whether a Small Business Set-aside is a suitable strategy for this procurement. If a full and open competition is ultimately pursued, responses to this synopsis will be used to aid in establishing small business subcontracting goals. Since no decision regarding a set-aside has yet been made, all qualified entities are encouraged to respond.

Therefore, NASA is seeking capability statements from all interested parties, including all socioeconomic categories of Small Businesses (SB) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)/Minority Institutions (MI) for the purposes of determining the appropriate level of competition and/or small business subcontracting goals for this procurement. Vendors are encouraged to demonstrate capabilities as a prime, subcontractor, and/or through a teaming partner arrangement, as NASA is looking for an integrated approach across all scope elements. The Government reserves the right to consider a Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone), Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), and Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB).

The anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for this requirement is 541715, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, and the small business size standard is 1,300 employees.

The following information is requested:

1. Section 1 - Entity Information: Provide responses to the following business information by completing the below table:

Category Response Entity Name and Address Unique Entity ID (UEI) POC (Name, Email, Phone) Entity Size under NAICS Code 541715 Number of Employees Affiliate information: Provide information on parent company, joint venture partners, potential teaming partners/arrangements, prime contractor

(if a potential subcontractor), or subcontractors (if a potential prime contractor) Does your firm intend to submit an Offer as a Prime Contractor, Subcontractor, or part of some other arrangement?

2. Section 2 – Small Business Subcontracting Input: Respondents are requested to provide informed input on realistic and appropriate small business subcontracting and/or participation goals for this specific requirement.

This type of feedback supports NASA’s market research and helps ensure the procurement strategy is aligned with actual market capability. Feedback is requested for:

a. Recommended subcontracting and/or participation goals, with supporting rationale and relevant scope of work areas, per the following table:

Category Goal % Rationale and Relevant Scope of Work

SB

WOSB

SDB

VOSB

SDVOSB

HUBZone

HBCU/MI

b. Barriers that may limit small business participation, such as certifications, unique technical requirements, security needs, specialized tools, and/or high-risk performance areas.

c. Strategies to increase small business participation, including breaking requirements into smaller components, identifying areas appropriate for subcontracting, and consideration of teaming or mentor protégé approaches.

3. Section 3 – Ability to Perform: Submit a capability statement that includes the following:

a. Details on the ability to perform any or all aspects of the Research and Development, Programmatic, and Institutional requirements described in this notice.

b. In addition to a written narrative, responses shall include the following table, filled-in to notate:

1. Whether or not the respondent itself can perform each work element (Internal Capability).

2. Intended approach to meet that capability (i.e., Self-performed as a Prime Contractor;

Performed via another entity through a subcontracting/teaming arrangement; or some other arrangement/approach).

Area Work Element (Summarized)

Internal Capability (Yes/No)

Intended Capability Approach

R

D

Mission and technology applications research Cutting-edge research Developing research proposals Advanced mission concept and design studies Supporting R&A and SBIR/STTR programs

Pr og

Developing and managing projects and missions Specialized mission and technology support Deep space and unique robotic mission operations Technical authority Deep space communication and navigation

In st itu tio na l

Organizational culture Protective services Fire department/emergency response Emergency management Facility operations, master planning, and construction management

Information technology Environmental management Logistics management Outreach and communication

4. Section 4 - Performance/Experience: Provide a list of up to three (3) customers covering relevant work performed within the past three (3) years by providing the following:

Category Response Customer Company Name and Address Customer POC (Name, Email, Phone) Contract Number Contract Value (including all options) Contract Title/Short Description Contract Period of Performance (start and end dates, including all options)

NAICS Code Relevant Work Performed

5. Section 5 – Procurement Strategy Input: Provide information regarding potential procurement strategies to maximize the effectiveness of the anticipated competition and resulting contract performance. Specifically, input on the following is desired:

a. Feedback on the Research and Development, Programmatic, and Institutional element list (i.e., questions, possible gaps, and/or concerns).

b. A listing of any recommended areas where added clarity (including information, data, or examples that NASA could publicly release) would help ensure a more complete and effective future proposal response or otherwise enable a level playing field. Please also identify any considerations if some of the support information may only be available in-person versus released digitally.

c. Overall contract structure considerations to optimize the efficient issuance and management of all Research and Development, Programmatic, and Institutional elements. For example:

i. Preferences for operating the FFRDC Research and Development, Programmatic, and Institutional elements under a single prime contract versus possible separation between these elements into separate contract constructs.

ii. Issuing and managing work via task orders versus core/sustaining work and the optimal approach for doing so to reduce administrative overhead and burden.

d. Requiring the Contractor to be a separate corporate entity (such as a Limited Liability Company, LLC) from its parent organization(s) that is established solely to perform the contract and be totally responsible for all contract activities.

e. The optimal contract type and incentive structure (such as a Cost-Plus-Award-Fee arrangement) and period of performance (including ideal transition time period) to ensure continual contract performance excellence and a collaborative/teaming environment with all NASA stakeholders (including NASA’s other Government and industry partners).

f. In furtherance of Executive Order (EO) 14402, Promoting Efficiency, Accountability, and Performance in Federal Contracting (April 30, 2026), identify any work that could be performed effectively under a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract arrangement, including any recommendations for transitioning cost-reimbursable scope to FFP over a specific contract time period (e.g., Certain scope could transition to FFP within year 2 of the contract because it becomes routine operations or process.).

g. Approach to ensuring a high-degree of incumbent workforce capture and retention, including continuation of employee wellness activities and recognition of current total compensation (inclusive of benefits) to ensure the facility continues to be staffed by world-class scientific and engineering talent.

h. Inputs on contract transition considerations, including approaches or areas of concern and opportunities to enhance or ensure a timely and successful contract transition.

i. Any recommended unique contract clauses and supporting rationale for managing and operating a FFRDC (e.g., indemnification clauses; invoicing, payment, and financing approach; approach to ensuring full and complete data access for NASA as the Government sponsor).

j. Recommendations for the most effective source selection evaluation approach, including recommended evaluation factors and input on written and/or oral proposals.

k. Considering NASA has priority to the Laboratory, recommended approaches for attracting and managing “outside work” (within the confines of FFRDC regulations and with value to NASA) to help balance personnel expertise and facility availability with ebbs and flows in the NASA mission.

l. Feedback on potential Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) issues and approaches to avoid, mitigate, or neutralize potential OCIs to ensure the FFRDC continues to operate in the public interest with objectivity and independence.

IV. Submission Requirements

Responses shall not exceed 20 pages using single spaced, 11-point Times New Roman font, and 0.75-inch page margins.

Responses shall be submitted by 3:00 PM Eastern Time on August 24, 2026, via NASA’s Enterprise File Sharing and Sync Box (EFSS Box), a FedRAMP Moderate certified platform, at the following location:

https://nasagov.app.box.com/f/f8d2392df94b4cfa886747f6ef681d60.

1. Specific instructions can be found here: https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/other/EFSS-Box- Offeror-Proposal-Submission-Instructions.pdf

2. Please reference “FFRDC-26-RFI-SSN” in any response.

3. Electronic submissions shall not contain hidden formulas, tables, be locked, be password protected, or contain links to data not included in the electronic copy. All electronic submissions shall be searchable and shall not contain scanned documents, except those documents that must be provided in their native format (e.g., signature pages). Documents shall be free from viruses and malware, as documents determined by NASA to contain a virus or malware will not be opened or reviewed.

4. If the response contains more than one file, please include the entire response within a single .zip file. The electronic filename shall be limited to letters, numbers, dashes, and single spaces, except for the period that is required before the file extension (e.g., .zip, .pdf), in order to successfully upload and download files from the EFSS Box system. File names shall not include special characters “/” or “\”. The file cannot exceed 100 MB. The submitted file shall not include password protection.

5. Immediately after the response file has been uploaded, potential sources shall notify Michael Kaszyca, Contracting Officer, at michael.kaszyca@nasa.gov, and Christopher Jenkins, Contract Specialist, christopher.l.jenkins@nasa.gov, with the filename that was submitted via EFSS Box.

Potential sources are responsible for ensuring their capability statement reaches the Government office by the date and time specified in this notice. The Government is not responsible for any failure attributable to the transmission or receipt of documents submitted using electronic means. Please note that uploading the document via EFSS Box and the transmission of the files from the potential source to the Government may not be instantaneous. To ensure timely delivery, potential sources are encouraged to submit their capabilities at least 24 hours prior to the due date specified in this notice.

https://nasagov.app.box.com/f/f8d2392df94b4cfa886747f6ef681d60 https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/other/EFSS-Box-Offeror-Proposal-Submission-Instructions.pdf https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/other/EFSS-Box-Offeror-Proposal-Submission-Instructions.pdf mailto:michael.kaszyca@nasa.gov mailto:christopher.l.jenkins@nasa.gov

V. Discussions with Potential Sources

NASA invites interested entities to participate in virtual one-on-one discussions with members of the NASA Source Evaluation Board (SEB) during the dates of September 1-2, 2026. These one-hour discussions will allow for a more focused exchange of information and to provide an opportunity for potential sources to present additional details about their capabilities, ask specific questions, and provide feedback relevant to this procurement.

These meetings are not evaluations or part of any proposal review. Information shared by potential sources during these meetings will be considered and handled as Source Selection Information (per FAR/RFO 2.101 and 3.104) and will not be disclosed outside of the NASA SEB.

Please state your interest in having a one-on-one discussion, any desired dates/times, and a listing of all participants (including name, title, entity, and email address) in your response to the RFI/SSN. NASA will do its best to accommodate all requests and will send out a Microsoft Teams meeting notice with the meeting details.

VI. Other

All questions shall be directed to Michael Kaszyca, Contracting Officer, at michael.kaszyca@nasa.gov, and Christopher Jenkins, Contract Specialist, christopher.l.jenkins@nasa.gov. Please reference “FFRDC-26-RFI- SSN” in any email.

A procurement website has been established that will supplement the information posted on www.sam.gov, including, but not limited to, a procurement library populated with data/information related to the current management of the Laboratory and the names of SEB voting and non-voting members. This website can be found here: https://www.nasa.gov/ffrdc/

This synopsis is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the review.

No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released it will be synopsized in www.sam.gov. It is the potential Offeror’s responsibility to monitor this site for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.

All information submitted in response to this RFI/SSN, including the names of the respondents, will be considered and handled as Source Selection Information (per FAR/RFO 2.101 and 3.104) and will not be disclosed outside of the NASA SEB.

mailto:michael.kaszyca@nasa.gov mailto:christopher.l.jenkins@nasa.gov http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.nasa.gov/ffrdc/ http://www.sam.gov/

ENCLOSURE A

Draft Summary Scope of Work

This summary scope of work is broadly characterized as Research and Development Formulation, Programmatic, and Institutional. While the majority of work is directly in support of NASA, other industry partners and Government agencies may be supported as directed and approved by the Contracting Officer (CO).

The Contractor shall, except as otherwise specified, furnish all personnel, expertise, training, facilities, equipment, materials, transportation, and management necessary to perform the following major categories of work in accordance with all applicable Federal, State, and Local laws and regulations, and all applicable NASA policies, directives, and requirements:

1. Research, Development, and Formulation Elements: The Contractor shall support NASA mission goals and objectives by conducting mission and technology applications research; performing cutting-edge research for the needs of all NASA directorates and other Government agencies (with NASA approval) to the extent that it achieves National space goals; supporting and encouraging the development of research proposals for new science, technologies, data analysis, innovative approaches for space applications, and advanced concepts; and enabling the development of advanced mission concepts and design studies.

The Contractor shall foster and sustain a culture of innovation, expertise, and proactive collaboration that actively encourages the exploration, maturation, and infusion of emerging technologies into future NASA missions developed either by the Laboratory or by NASA Centers.

The Contractor shall contribute to establishing a national capability for next generation observation sensors, ensuring the U.S. maintains leadership in advanced remote sensing technologies. This includes maintaining the unique manufacturing and testing facilities when needed to fabricate first-in-kind hardware that cannot be readily procured through commercial vendors. As part of this commitment, the Contractor shall pursue and evaluate transformative approaches, including but not limited to emerging capabilities such as quantum sensing, and optimization of mass, size, and production of components for optimal space mission use which have the potential to significantly enhance measurement precision, sensitivity, and mission performance.

The Contractor shall support Research and Analysis (R&A) and Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs and programmatic or mission technologies as outlined under the Programmatic Elements which follow in Section 2.

2. Programmatic Elements:

a. Developing and Managing Projects and Missions: The Contractor shall, in conjunction with the NASA Office of JPL Management and Oversight (NOJMO) and the appropriate NASA HQ sponsor, manage the execution of NASA projects and missions across NASA directorates and with other Government agencies (with NASA approval). The Contractor shall develop project plans for mission concept development, formulation, implementation, and operations for highly complex, high-risk, and unique/first-in-kind NASA missions and for specific systems/elements or instruments.

The Contractor shall conduct scientific research, mission analysis and requirements development;

system engineering, technology development, and system development; integration, test and evaluation; project management, system security, and mission operations in a manner to minimize overall mission risk, manage cost and maximize the probability of meeting all mission requirements and success criteria.

NASA’s mission focus includes the following and will evolve over time consistent with NASA objectives:

i. Planetary and Lunar Projects and Missions: Complex deep space navigation; support of radioisotope power systems integration; entry, descent and landing (EDL) on lunar and planetary surfaces; mobility on lunar and planetary surfaces including autonomous and fast roving; planetary defense applications; and/or survival in extreme environments.

ii. Astrophysics and Heliophysics Projects and Missions: High contrast imaging of exoplanets, cryogenic systems including telescopes and instruments, large deployable structures, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technologies for Heliophysics system studies and large format detectors.

iii. Earth Science Projects and Missions: Radars (such as Synthetic Aperture Radar) for remote sensing of clouds, precipitation, surface deformation and change, and soil moisture, and swath radar altimeters; highly sensitive spectrometers; multispectral and hyperspectral remote sensing technologies; passive microwave and sub millimeter limb sounding remote sensors and radiometers; microwave scatterometers; large deployable full and sparse aperture microwave antennae; microwave and laser instruments for gravity field measurements; and GNSS technologies for Earth system studies.

iv. Biological and Physical Sciences Projects: Continuous scientific operations, performing routine and preventive maintenance, troubleshooting and resolving technical issues, supporting experiment scheduling and execution, and facilitating data collection and dissemination; provide technical support to visiting scientists and engineers; maintain and operate the Cold Atom Lab (CAL) on the International Space Station (ISS) and coordinate with NASA and partner agencies for upgrades and enhancements to the CAL; maximize scientific output, maintain operational reliability, and support NASA’s mission objectives for fundamental physics research in microgravity environments.

v. Aeronautics Instruments and Operations: Aeronautics instruments and operations in support of airborne science campaigns.

vi. Support to human spaceflight and related precursor missions: Robotic, EDL, surface mobility, imaging, autonomy, and communications related systems or instrumentation development and testing in support of human mission requirements for LEO, sustained presence on the moon, and missions to Mars; applied expertise in mission development, surface sampling, and spacecraft systems survival in Lunar and Martian surface environment conditions.

b. Specialized Mission and Technology Support: The Contractor shall perform, whether competed for or

NASA-assigned, advanced technology research and development efforts that enable and enhance new NASA missions, utilizing accepted NASA and Government processes.

The Contractor shall perform, with direction from NASA, reimbursable work and technology transfer to other Government agencies and the private sector that advance National space priorities for activities that include, but are not limited to, management of and access to sensitive or classified workspace in meetings, laboratories, or testing areas as required for specific missions or products.

The Contractor shall perform these tasks in both principal and supporting roles (as directed by NASA) to enable effective project implementation to the extent that the efforts further technological capabilities for future NASA requirements.

c. Deep Space and Unique Robotic Mission Operations: The Contractor shall operate a mission operations center for the operation of Contractor developed and managed spacecraft, as well as for related deep space network support, utilizing consolidated and efficient operational strategies and common platforms to minimize mission risk while also reducing costs to the missions. The Contractor shall incorporate these operational strategies early into the project lifecycle during mission formulation and development planning. The Contractor shall focus on collaboration, partnering with other Agency assets, and capturing of best practices in mission operations and execution.

d. Engineering, Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA), and Health Technical Authority: The Contractor shall apply engineering, health, and safety and mission assurance principles (in compliance with NASA policies, applicable federal, state, and local safety and health requirements, regulations, and standards) to the execution of technical projects as the accountable provider for projects and missions.

The Contractor shall provide technical authority for the protection of the public, workforce, high-value equipment and property, environment, and assessment of risk to mission objectives from potential harm resulting from Laboratory activities, operations, and mission development/execution.

e. Deep Space Communication and Navigation: The Contractor shall provide management, operations, maintenance, sustainment, technical expertise, research, cybersecurity compliance, and all other activities necessary to enable reliable deep space communications in accordance with the Agency’s requirements for all California-based Deep Space Network (DSN) sites as well as the central control center that integrates operations across the three DSN complexes.

The contractor shall manage operations for the DSN Aperture Enhancement Project (DAEP) and the Deep Space Network Lunar Exploration Upgrades (DLEU).

The Contractor shall provide engineering operations expertise, support to maintenance activities, and technical guidance as directed by NASA for the overseas DSN complexes in Canberra, Australia, and Madrid, Spain.

3. Institutional Elements:

a. Organizational Culture: The Contractor shall cultivate an organizational culture of effective engagement and reporting with customers and stakeholders, while proactively balancing the conduct of activities in every aspect of performing the contract. The Contractor shall allocate resources and leadership focus to ensure mission deliverables and desired outcomes are achieved in a timely manner with activities that are safe, secure, and efficient, and shall ensure the continuity of leadership and technical capability necessary to reduce risk, enable transparency, and ensure alignment with NASA leadership, processes, and objectives. The Contractor shall include organizational culture improvement and trust-building as part of its strategic planning activities.

b. Protective Services: The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, material, supervision, and any other items necessary to perform comprehensive protective services. The Contractor shall provide integrated safeguards and security to protect Laboratory assets, personnel, property, and information, to sustain the mission in a manner commensurate with risks.

The Contractor shall perform Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) activities and integrate such activities within the NASA protective services system.

c. Fire Department/Emergency Response: The Contractor shall provide comprehensive fire protection and emergency response services to support the Laboratory and designated surrounding areas. These services include delivering fire suppression and prevention capabilities, providing Basic Life Support (BLS) medical response, and coordinating effectively with local emergency service agencies to ensure integrated, timely incident management. The Contractor shall maintain qualified personnel, ensure equipment readiness, and follow all applicable Federal, State, and Local standards while supporting mutual‑aid activities as requested.

d. Emergency Management: The Contractor shall lead the development, implementation, and administration of a comprehensive emergency management capability for the Laboratory, ensuring readiness through appropriate planning, personnel, and equipment. The Contractor shall activate and oversee operations of the on-site Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during emergency events to maintain coordination and support.

The Contractor shall conduct Continuity of Operations (COOP) coordination, with responsibility for COOP planning, preparedness, and execution. The Contractor shall direct COOP activities and provide guidance to Laboratory Mission Essential Infrastructure to ensure continuity of critical functions under emergency conditions. The Contractor shall design, conduct, and evaluate annual COOP exercises to validate readiness and strengthen organizational resilience. The Contractor shall coordinate all emergency management activities with NASA and in consideration of Government COOP activities.

e. Facility Operations, Master Planning, and Construction Management: The Contractor shall deliver integrated and comprehensive facilities maintenance, operations, construction, and infrastructure support services at the scale, complexity, and mission critical sensitivity of the Laboratory. The Contractor shall maintain continuous situational awareness and operational readiness of facilities, systems, and infrastructure essential to the Laboratory’s mission, including individual laboratories, technical facilities, administrative buildings, specialized research spaces, testing environments, and mission critical assets supporting spacecraft development, telemetry, communications, and science and exploration activities.

The Contractor shall respond rapidly to operational needs, manage a diverse portfolio of project types, and execute work in coordination with NASA’s technical, safety, environmental, and real property management organizations. The Contractor shall provide full visibility and access to NASA into all facility management systems, documentation, and reports utilized and generated in performance of this contract.

The Contractor shall perform preventive, predictive, and reliability centered maintenance across all facility systems, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, utilities, structural components, fire protection, security systems, building automation systems, roads and grounds, janitorial, and associated support infrastructure. The Contractor shall implement industry standards, NASA maintenance philosophies, and lifecycle management practices to ensure safe, reliable, and energy efficient operation of the Laboratory environment. The Contractor shall manage day-to-day operations such as work control, recordkeeping, facilities monitoring, utility operations, service/trouble calls, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, and the preservation and protection of Government property. The Contractor shall perform maintenance activities in a manner that ensures mission continuity and minimizes disruptions to scientific, engineering, and operational work, and in consideration of any imposed “mission freeze” periods.

The Contractor shall perform construction, revitalization, modification, repair, and demolition activities under NASA’s Construction of Facilities (CoF) Program and related authorities. These activities include constructing, restoring, relocating, removing, altering, and installing facilities and infrastructure. The Contractor may be required to provide architectural, engineering, design, cost estimating, project planning, construction management, activation, commissioning, and turnover services. The Contractor shall adhere to NASA real property management requirements, facility project approval processes, applicable federal and state regulations, and the standards applied to NASA’s Minor Revitalization and Construction (MRC) and Environmental Compliance and Restoration (ECR) projects. The Contractor shall coordinate with NASA on project approvals, scope changes, and reporting requirements. The Contractor shall utilize specific NASA forms and processes (e.g., NF-1509 and related documentation) where applicable.

The Contractor shall support NASA’s institutional responsibilities in real property stewardship, master planning alignment, sustainability objectives, disposal and deconstruction activities, occupancy management, and coordination with NOJMO. The Contractor shall manage excess and surplus property consistent with NASA policies and support facility related audits, inspections, safety assessments, and compliance reviews.

f. Information Technology: The Contractor shall utilize NASA enterprise services and managed infrastructure, including NASA-managed cloud environments, data management platforms, and computing infrastructure, for the development, hosting, and operation of all data systems under this contract; when equivalent NASA enterprise services are not available, independent procurement or development of separate data system infrastructure is permitted, with a prior waiver approved by the Contracting Officer.

The Contractor shall manage information technology materials on behalf of NASA and assets to meet NASA scientific and space exploration mission requirements for Core Information Technology, which consists of, but not limited to, mission requirements and integration with NASA; data protection; mission applications and integration with NASA; network services; and equipment.

g. Environmental Management: The Contractor shall manage environmental regulatory compliance and restoration and remediation functions, including, but not limited to Air Emissions Management, Cultural and Natural Resources Management, Hazardous Materials Management-EPCRA, NEPA, Noise, Pollution Prevention (P2), Regulated and Solid Waste Management, Water Quality (Drinking Water) Management, Pesticide Management, Petroleum, Oils and Lubricants (POL) Management, Storage Tank Management, Toxic Substances Management (e.g., Asbestos, PCBs), and Wastewater/Stormwater Management.

The Contractor shall ensure the Laboratory remains in compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations (e.g., Federal, State, Regional, Local), NASA Policy Directives (NPDs), and NASA Procedural Requirements (NPRs). The Contractor shall comply with all Federally mandated energy and water conservation requirements, reporting, and goals. The Contractor shall provide NASA any reports required by Federal, State, and local regulation, Executive Orders, NPDs, and NPRs within the timeframe(s) established by the regulatory requirements or NASA.

The Contractor shall support NASA (NASA has the primary role) in performing groundwater cleanup and restoration actions under the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly known as Superfund.

h. Logistics Management: The Contractor shall provide, operate, and continuously improve comprehensive and integrated logistics services within NASA’s policies, procedures, systems, and governance structure to ensure responsible stewardship, lifecycle management, regulatory compliance, operational readiness, and sustained support for operations. The Contractor shall perform supply and materials management (including consumables, propellants, and hazardous materials); equipment and personal property accountability; personal property disposal; mail management; freight and small-package shipping;

transportation planning and management; fleet management; and product support management and lifecycle support.

i. Outreach and communication activities: The Contractor shall make broadly available to the public innovations developed at the Laboratory for exploration and discovery, maximizing the benefit to the Nation. The Contractor shall coordinate all outreach and communication activities with NASA on size and scope of personnel and efforts to ensure consistent messaging with NASA communications and mission needs as approved by the Agency. The Contractor shall perform as communications embeds with Laboratory projects to provide timely information and support actions to plan, manage, coordinate, and/or execute activities intended to inform, engage, informally educate, conduct outreach to, and/or represent NASA to audiences. The Contractor shall support, contribute to, and help lead such efforts as appropriate, including but not limited to written products, digital products, social media, developing engagement opportunities, and media events.