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REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

to Enable Development/Enhancement

Domestic Bedrest Studies (DBS)

June 30, 2026

This is strictly a request for information. The Government has no obligation for award. If interested, please provide a capabilities statement.

SUMMARY

The Human Research Program (HRP) investigates and mitigates the highest risks to astronaut health and performance in exploration missions. The goal of the HRP is to provide human health and performance countermeasures, knowledge, technologies, and tools to enable safe, reliable, and productive human space exploration. The scope of these goals includes both the successful completion of exploration missions and the preservation of astronaut health over the life of the astronaut. Due to the cost and complexity of spaceflight opportunities, deconditioning analogs such as head-down tilt bedrest are often utilized to evaluate potential technologies and countermeasures prior to spaceflight implementation.

The HRP is requesting information on head-down tilt bedrest research capabilities in the United States that could support human spaceflight related research studies as well as other multi-discipline research objectives requiring periods of up to 90 consecutive days of bedrest (30-60 days more typical).

Appropriate responses to this RFI should address:

1. Recommendations for general approaches to bedrest research (for example, independent lab/research facility or aligned with a research hospital or other medical facility; full-service study implementation by the facility or operational participation by investigators).

2. Recommendations for effective research participant recruiting and screening processes to achieve targeted study criteria.

3. Recommendations regarding the trades between number of participants in a study and corresponding resources to implement the study (participants/beds, clinical and infrastructure resources, number of campaigns to meet study N).

4. Recommendations regarding implementation of unique equipment, tests, operational contexts (for example, unique exercise devices; interactive group environment for participants; lumbar punctures).

5. Recommendations for implementation of nutraceutical/pharmaceutical research studies in a bedrest environment.

6. Recommendations for improving efficiencies for long-duration head-down tilt research studies and strengthening collaborative relationships with bedrest research facility providers.

7. Recommendations for food / metabolic kitchen approach to ensure weight remains consistent.

8. Recommendations for ensuring strict head down tilt is maintained, which may include console observation and/or subject alarm reminders, etc.

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9. Recommendations for strict head down tilt hygiene including showers.

10. Recommendations on importance on the consistency of room sizes and consistency of single / double occupancy in rooms for bedrest.

Description

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Human Research Program (HRP) is requesting information on head-down tilt bedrest research capabilities in the United States that could support human spaceflight related research studies as well as other multi-discipline research objectives requiring periods of up to 90 consecutive days of bedrest (30-60 days more typical).

Background

NASA research has demonstrated that prolonged bedrest at 6-degrees strict head-down tilt (HDT) simulates some of the physiological and psychological adaptations experienced by astronauts during spaceflight. ‘Strict’ head-down tilt ensures adherence to the head-down tilt protocol at all times including dining, personal hygiene activities, sleep, and task/test completion. To better understand and characterize the impact of extended micro-gravity periods on the human body, the HRP conducts research into areas considered to be of significant risk during spaceflight. Bedrest studies of 30 to 60 days are currently used to study the onset of Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS), impacts on sensorimotor function, and effectiveness of potential countermeasures to mitigate or eliminate risks to astronauts.

For reference, a bedrest research facility capable of supporting NASA research would be able to support 4 (minimum) to 12 bedrest test participants for up to 90 consecutive days (with 30 to 60-day studies more typical) in strict HDT, with on-site or nearby medical and laboratory facilities. The facility staff would provide test participant recruitment, study planning and implementation, medical monitoring, clinical care and reconditioning of test participants, hygiene, food and nutrition, data and sample collection/storage/distribution, and implementation of specific study measures and tests within a safe environment.

Typical HRP bedrest studies require sophisticated infrastructure to support the test participant care and research requirements. Very few facilities in the world can meet all the HRP bedrest study requirements. NASA is interested in enabling additional bedrest research facility capabilities in the U.S.

to support upcoming research pivotal to expanding spaceflight travel and operations outside low Earth orbit.

NASA is seeking recommendations for enhancing approaches to implementation of long-duration bedrest research studies, achieving process and facility efficiencies, and increasing bedrest research collaborations within the United States.

The Human Research Program

The Human Research Program investigates and mitigates the highest risks to astronaut health and performance in exploration missions. The goal of the HRP is to provide human health and performance countermeasures, knowledge, technologies, and tools to enable safe, reliable, and productive human space exploration, and to ensure safe and productive human spaceflight. The scope of these goals

80JSC026DB066 Attachment A Page 3 of 3 includes both the successful completion of exploration missions and the preservation of astronaut health over the life of the astronaut.

HRP has developed an Integrated Research Plan (IRP) to describe the requirements and notional approach to understanding and reducing the risks to human health and performance. The IRP describes the Program’s research activities that are intended to address the needs of human space exploration and serve HRP customers. The IRP illustrates the HRP’s research plan through the timescale of exploration missions of extended duration.

The Human Research Roadmap (https://humanresearchroadmap.nasa.gov) is a web-based version of the IRP that allows users to search HRP risks, gaps, and tasks.

https://humanresearchroadmap.nasa.gov/