2026 10 28 FFRDC Industry Event at JPL - Summary.pdf

Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) Competitive Procurement Amendment 3 to FFRDC-26-RFI-SSN

October 28, 2026

Summary of Industry Engagement Event at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory October 21-22, 2026

The purpose of this amendment to the subject notice is to provide the following information from the Industry Engagement Event:

1. General summary of questions and answers.

2. Listing of all attendees.

3. Copies of all presentations.

General Summary of Questions and Answers

1. Question: Does NASA plan to issue a draft RFP with opportunity for questions/comments before the final RFP is published? When is the RFP coming out?

Answer: Per the procurement website (https://www.nasa.gov/ffrdc/), the release of the Draft RFP is currently estimated for the 1st Quarter of calendar year (CY) 2027 and the Final RFP in the 2nd Quarter of

CY 2027.

2. Question: Please clarify NASA’s anticipated approach for existing Caltech/JPL major subcontracts whose periods of performance extend beyond, or overlap with, the current Caltech contract with NASA.

Examples may include Deep Space Network support, Information Technology Infrastructure Services, IT Management Services, Facilities Maintenance and Operations, and Temporary Support Services.

Specifically, how does NASA anticipate these existing contractual arrangements [to] be addressed or potentially impacted by the future operating model and transition?

Answer: In general, we expect that the successor Contractor will identify an overall plan and will collaborate with the predecessor Contractor during the transition period to identify the appropriate agreements for novation/transition to the successor Contractor to ensure mission continuity. Any potential scope changes, as noted in the draft statement of work that was released for comment on September 29, 2026, will be defined in the solicitation.

3. Question: What specific improvements is NASA seeking through this competition, and what would success look like during the first three to five years of the new contract?

Answer: NASA is emphasizing efficiency and speed in mission delivery, within cost, across the Agency;

this especially includes mission continuity for the work at JPL. The exact strategy and procurement approach is still under development, and the draft solicitation will contain further details on what is important to NASA for both the procurement evaluation/selection and performance under the new contract.

4. Question: Which scope elements does NASA currently consider candidates for FFP?

Answer: At this time, NASA envisions the transition/phase-in period could be firm-fixed-price (FFP).

Further, efforts with clearly defined high technical readiness level (TRL) deliverables and short studies and concepts could be candidates for FFP. The solicitation will provide further details regarding any elements that will be FFP.

https://www.nasa.gov/ffrdc/

5. Question: How does NASA envision JPL’s role in the broader space ecosystem evolving over the next 5–

10 years?

Answer: JPL has a critical role in supporting NASA’s emphasis on speed and efficiency in mission delivery, while ensuring that critical cost constraints are met and not exceeded. JPL will continue to be NASA’s center of excellence for robotics and deep-space exploration. However, as the space ecosystem evolves and moves towards more commercial-first approaches, JPL will also need to ensure it evolves to not only leverage these commercial best practices but to also focus its expertise on innovation and accelerating the growth of this broader U.S. space ecosystem.

6. Question: Will an attendee list be made available following the industry day?

Answer: Yes, the attendee listing is being published with this notice.

7. Question: Traditional competitions tend to create improvements in Efficiency, Risk, Innovation, and Cost.

Does this competition request more than these to include proposed improvements in Policy, Partnerships, Access to Capital, [and the] implementation of new Data Science & AI tools?

Answer: The draft solicitation will contain the evaluation factors and clarity on what is important to NASA for both the procurement evaluation/selection and performance under the successor contract.

NASA encourages feedback on the draft solicitation once it’s released.

8. Question: In the presentations this morning, it appeared that partnerships are part of NASA's role. What are the FFRDC's responsibilities in establishing and managing partnerships? Related, beyond effective laboratory management, what strategic value does NASA want the managing organization to bring through its capabilities, research relationships, and partnerships?

Answer: Partnering is critical to drive success for all of the missions and projects at JPL, and delivering on current commitments is critical to maintaining confidence in the NASA mission. NASA and the JPL Contractor will continue to collaborate on partnerships to ensure consistency with the role of NASA as the Nation’s civil space Agency and to ensure no conflicts with existing and future NASA needs.

9. Question: What is JPL’s future role with UNNO? Specifically on technological and scientific support.

Answer: In general, the Unified Network and Navigation Operations (UNNO) procurement will encompass the operations and maintenance (O&M) functions of the Deep Space Network (DSN) (at Goldstone), including engineering operations oversight. However, certain functions, such as research and development, and science, will remain within the JPL effort. A collaborative, integrated approach between the two contracts will be necessary to ensure a smooth and effective working relationship.

10. Question: What is NASA most concerned regarding transition and continuity?

Answer: Retaining the overall JPL employee culture and incumbent workforce/total compensation, and ensuring mission continuity.

11. Question: What is NASA preemptively doing to ensure the JPL culture is not adversely impacted by this contract activity?

Answer: NASA is not waiting until the formal contract transition period to address this. For example, there are ongoing messaging and townhall activities to help keep the workforce informed and to emphasize the importance of their work to the future of NASA. NASA is also establishing a transition team now to ensure overlap with the procurement activities and ample preparation time for this critical activity.

12. Question: Will NASA release information about the incumbent Contractor’s indirect overhead rate structure?

Answer: No, NASA will not be releasing such proprietary information about the incumbent Contractor.

However, NASA does intend to continue releasing information to the virtual Procurement Library (https://www.nasa.gov/ffrdc/) to assist potential Offerors with the procurement process.

https://www.nasa.gov/ffrdc/

Company Name Title Email All Points Logistics John Hall SVP Business Development Jhall@allpointsllc.com All Points Logistics (Excentium) Fatemeh Corlett Chief Growth Officer fcorlett@excentium.com All Points Logistics (Peraton) Kristen Todd Director of Growth & Strategy kristen.todd@peraton.com Altech Solutions, LLC Ralph Thomas Master Solutions Architect ralph.c.thomas@outlook.com Amazon Business Jacob Acosta Sr Account Executive jlacosta@amazon.com

Amentum Bret Laws Senior Vice President, Business Development, Engineering & Technology bret.laws@us.amentum.com

Amentum Alexander Maguire Senior Director, High Value Captures alex.maguire@amentum.com Amentum John Brasfield Client Account Lead, Space Solutions john.brasfield@us.amentum.com Amentum Christopher Hansen Vice President and Program Manager, Space Solutions chris.hansen@us.amentum.com Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) David Cornelius VP California Operations/ASSESS PM cornelius@ama-inc.com ANRE Technologies Inc. Eugean Hacopians CTO eugean@anretech.com ASRC Federal System Solutions, LLC Jacqueline Rybacki Sr. Director, Business Development Jrybacki@asrcfederal.com ASRC Federal System Solutions, LLC Pedro Medelius Program Manager PJMedelius@asrcfederal.com Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) David Curren Director of Sponsored Projects dcurren@aui.edu Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) Erika White BD Operations Manager ewhite@aui.edu Bastion Technologies Jeffery Cardenas Operations Manager jcardenas@bastiontechnologies.com

Battelle Memorial Institute Trisha Mosser Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Growth mossert@battelle.org

Battelle Memorial Institute Douglas Burns Nuclear Energy Deployment Business Leader burnsd1@battelle.org Bay Systems Consulting, Inc. Jasmine Ali President & CEO jasmine@baysystemsinc.com BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) Dave Swale Business Development Director djswale@bwxt.com

Caltech Jennifer Jackson William E. Leonhard Professor of Mineral Physics; Vice Provost jacksonj@caltech.edu

Caltech John Eiler Robert P. Sharp Professor of Geology and Geochemistry; Ted and Ginger Jenkins Leadership Chair, Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences eiler@caltech.edu

Caltech David Oh Proposal Manager dyoh@caltech.edu Caltech Kevin Doran Proposal Strategist kdoran@caltech.edu HII Jake Berrena Capture Management II jake.a.berrena@hii.com Jada Systems Inc. Troy Davis President and CEO troy@jadasys.com Jada Systems Inc. David Maxwell Project Manager david@jadasys.com KBR Tracy Dorsey VP Advanced Engineering and Operations tracy.dorsey@us.kbr.com KBR Geoff Wawrzyniak Chief Engineer Geoffrey.Wawrzyniak@us.kbr.com KBR Michael Dawson Capture Manager Michael.Dawson@us.kbr.com KBR Darin Skelly Business Development and Growth Darin.Skelly@us.kbr.com Leidos Carlos Aguilar Customer Advocate carlos.a.aguilar@leidos.com Leidos Michael Hess NASA Account Lead michael.hess@leidos.com Mantech Yvette Elizondo Program Director yvette.hardingelizondo@mantech.com

Company Name Title Email Mantech Jonathan Cole Director Program Control jonathan.cole3@mantech.com MITRE Corporation Charles Clancy Senior Vice President, Chief Technical Officer tcc@mitre.org MITRE Corporation Maeghan Welford Director, Strategic Finance mwelford@mitre.org

MITRE Corporation Kevin Toner Vice President, Center for Government Effectiveness and Modernization (CGEM) FFRDC ktoner@mitre.org

MITRE Corporation Glenn Daly Vice President, Center for Engineering and Analysis gdaly@mitre.org MORI Associates, Inc. Blake Hershey Chief Growth Officer bhershey@moriassociates.com Noblis Sharad Bhaskaran Division Director, Civil Space Programs sharad.bhaskaran@noblis.org Peraton Vida Beard Director, Technical Integrator vbeard@peraton.com Peraton Henry Giroux NASA Portfolio Lead hgiroux@peraton.com Peraton Robert Rosenberger Director, Capture Mgmt. robert.rosenberger@peraton.com Peraton Voleak Roeum Technology Program Mgmt., SME voleak.roeum@peraton.com Red Hat Mark Schoonmaker Account Executive schoons@redhat.com Red Hat Jason Cadmus Solution Architect cadmus@redhat.com Science and Technology Corporation Hal Bloom Vice President hbloom@stcnet.com Science and Technology Corporation Andrew Fischer Program Manager afischer@stcnet.com Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) James Burch Senior Vice-President, Space Sector jburch@swri.edu Texas A&M University Robert Ambrose TEES Director for Space and Robotics Initiatives rambrose@tamu.edu

University of California Brett Henrikson Senior Director for Strategy & Governance & Chief of Staff, UC National Laboratories University of California, Office of the President

Brett.Henrikson@ucop.edu

University of California John Falle Senior Advisor, UC National Laboratories gary.falle@ucop.edu University of California Robert Thomas Manager Business Development & Proposals rthomas@thom-adv.com University of Southern California Jeri Muniz Vice President of Research Administration and Operations jeri.muniz@usc.edu University of Southern California Andrew Wilson Vice President for Strategic Partnerships and Innovation andy.wilson@usc.edu University of Southern California Gregory Condell Vice President, Finance condell@usc.edu University of Southern California Randall Hill Executive Director, USC Institute for Creative Technologies hill@ict.usc.edu www.nasa.gov

Antti Pulkkinen, NASA Office of JPL Management and Oversight

(NOJMO) Director October 21, 2026

NASA FFRDC Industry Engagement Day

Agenda

Q&A https://nasa.cnf.io/sessions/pwwx/#!/dashboard

Logistics

Tours Given the number of Industry Day participants, two facility tour groups will be required. To ensure equitable treatment, participants have been assigned to the groups in alphabetical order. Both groups will receive the same tour and information, with equal opportunities for engagement. Any information of potential relevance to all attendees will be shared with all participants through SAM.gov.

The facility tour packet will be made available on SAM.gov.

Logistics

Moving around and October 22 All visitors have been issued escort badges and must be accompanied by an escort while at the Laboratory. You will be escorted during facility tours and visits to the cafeteria and Von Kármán Museum.

During the lunch break, you will be escorted to the cafeteria, where you can order food and pay by credit card at the kiosks. The group will gather in Room 151, near the main cafeteria.

For the one-on-one sessions on October 22, please bring your badge and arrive at the main gate turnstiles approximately 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. An escort will meet you there and accompany you to the meeting room.

For questions, please contact Molly Stein at (202) 860-5912 or Sonja Johnson at (202) 754-5184.

NASA FFRDC

NASA FFRDC

• NASA is the sponsor of the FFRDC located at the Jet Propulsion

Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California.

• The Laboratory fulfills NASA’s long-term, strategic technical needs that cannot be met as effectively by existing in-house or contractor resources.

• FFRDC is required to operate in the public interest with objectivity and independence, free from organizational conflicts of interest, and with full transparency to NASA.

• NOJMO serves as the NASA Headquarters (HQ) on-site Government organization responsible for contract management, institutional oversight, ensuring regulatory compliance of contractor operations, and active engagement with the stakeholders and the operator of the Laboratory.

NOJMO

Functional Area Practical Role

Contract Management Administer the JPL contract and related agreements. NOJMO awards, modifies, directs, and evaluates contract work; manages task orders, IAAs, Space Act Agreements, subcontract consent, OCI, CPARS, and strategic contract actions.

Institutional Management Provide on-site NASA oversight of JPL as an FFRDC. NOJMO ensures JPL operations align with NASA policy, technical requirements, regulatory expectations, and mission needs across institutional, technical, and operational domains.

Business Operations Ensure financial stewardship and business compliance. NOJMO manages funding execution, financial analysis, audits, reimbursables, G-Invoicing, funds control, FFRDC fees, and Agency Administrative Indirect (AAI), and award-payment administration.

Partnering Connect NASA needs with JPL capabilities. NOJMO helps NASA stakeholders and JPL work through issues, align expectations, streamline processes, and enable mission outcomes that benefit the Agency, the nation, and humanity.

NOJMO organization

Science Mission Directorate

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Science Mission

Directorate Priorities

N A S A J P L F F R D I N D U S T R Y E N G A G E M E N T E V E N T , O c t o b e r 2 1 , 2 0 2 6

D R . N I C O L A “ N I C K Y ” F O X , A S S O C I AT E A D M I N I S T R A T O R , S C I E N C E M I S S I O N D I R E C T O R AT E

Image: NASA

Science Mission Directorate

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASA’s Science Fleet An integrated portfolio of 100+ missions to explore space and benefit Earth

EARTH SCIENCE

BIOLOGICAL &

PHYSICAL SCIENCEHELIOPHYSICS

PLANETARY

SCIENCE ASTROPHYSICSCREWED SCIENCE

I m p r o v e L i f e o n E a r t h

U n l o c k S e c r e t s o f t h e U n i v e r s e

S u s t a i n L i f e i n S p a c e S e a r c h f o r L i f e E l s e w h e r e

B u i l d t h e I n t e r p l a n e t a r y

S u r v i v a l G u i d e

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

M I S S I O N S U P P O R T D I R E C T O R AT E

E n a b l e s M i s s i o n S u c c e s s

Mission Support Directorate (MSD)

& FFRDC

JPL Institutional Scope Overview

MISSION SUPPORT D IRECTORATE

PROVIDING A SOLID

FOUNDATION FOR

MISSION SUCCESS

Operating JPL is a Collaboration Between NASA And The Site Contractor

Mission Support provides the enterprise framework and connections that enable JPL to operate as a critical NASA center.

N A S A M I S S I O N S U P P O R T D I R E C T O R AT E

JPL FACILITIES AT A GLANCE

BUILDINGS

CAMPUS SIZE

177 acres Main campus in Pasadena, CA

OFFICE SPACE

6.783M Sq. ft.

NON-OFFICE SPACE

906K Sq. ft.

Laboratory Facilities

SPECIALIZED AND MISSION CRITICAL

FACILITIES

Environmental Testing And Assembly

Deep Space Network Infrastructure

Specialized Technical Environments

FACILITIES ENABLE COMPLEX NASA SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION MISSIONS

MULTI-SITE FOOTPRINT

• Pasadena Main Campus

• Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex, Fort Irwin

• Table Mountain Facility, Wrightwood

OPERATING WITHIN NASA’S ENTERPRISE FRAMEWORK

JPL’s Uniqueness Requires Both Site-level Operational Excellence And Deep

Integration With Nasa’s Enterprises

NASA Mission Support (Enterprise)

• Day-to-Day Operations

• Facilities O&M

• Logistics

• Environmental Compliance

• Workforce Management

• Site Safety

JPL Contractor (Execution)

• Policy

• Capital Investment Planning

• Strategic/Resilience Planning

• Cross-Center Coordination

• Performance Monitoring

• External Coordination

THE CONTRACT IS

THE FRAMEWORK

THAT ALIGNS SITE

EXECUTION WITH

NASA’S ENTERPRISE

PRIORITIES.

INSTITUTIONAL SCOPE

Institutional Services are Essential Enablers Of Science, Mission Success and Operational Resilience

Provide critical institutional service requirements across JPL and its associated facilities:

*Scope may be removed from this contract

FACILITIES & REAL ESTATE LOGISTICS & ENVIRONMENTAL

*PROTECTIVE SERVICES &

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

* INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

ANCILLARY & SITE SERVICES

• Facility Operations, Master Planning, and Construction Management

• Utilities Acquisition and Management

• Logistics Management

• Environmental Management

• Information Technology

• Protective Services

• Fire Department/Emergency Response

• Emergency Management

• Ancillary Items and Activities

PRIORITIES IN FACILITIES & REAL ESTATE

• Government Owned/Contractor Operated Asset Management: Accurate property records and infrastructure accountability.

• Facility Operations and Maintenance: Demonstrated cost reductions and operational efficiency.

• Master Planning & Security: Alignment with NASA Critical Infrastructure and Operational Technology systems.

• Construction Oversight: Risk-managed, on-time Construction of Facilities (CoF)/ reimbursable project execution.

• Compliance & Reporting: Ensure adherence to federal laws, NASA policy, regulations, and timely reporting to NASA Headquarters.

Lifecycle Stewardship Of Nasa-owned Assets

PRIORITIES IN MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT

• Mission Assurance: Maintain reliable, available infrastructure supporting JPL operations.

• Proactive Asset Management: Prevent failures through risk-based inspections, predictive maintenance, and lifecycle planning.

• Operational Performance: Manage work orders, response times, backlogs, and asset data to drive measurable results.

• Safety And Resilience: Maintain a safe, compliant operating environment and readiness for disruptions.

• Cost And Resource Optimization: Improve lifecycle value, energy efficiency, and water conservation without compromising mission needs.

Reliable Facilities Operations And Proactive Asset Management

PRIORITIES IN LOGISTICS & ENVIRONMENTAL

High Reliability Logistics And Proactive Environmental Compliance

• Supply, materials, and responsive inventory management.

• Equipment, fleet lifecycle tracking, and compliant property disposal.

• Zero enforcement actions (No NOVs) and integrated NEPA planning.

• Partnering to advance resiliency and reduce environmental risks and impacts.

Logistics Overview

Environmental Overview

THE PROTECTIVE SERVICES & IT ECOSYSTEM

NASA Sourcing Evaluation:

NASA is currently determining the optimal sourcing strategy for Protective and IT services—evaluating whether these functions will remain integrated within the prime contract, be provided directly by the Government, or be sourced via alternate enterprise vehicles.

Delivering 24/7 Physical, Emergency, and Technological Protection to Support Safe Mission Execution

• Access and Physical Security

• Institutional and IT Security

• Emergency Management

• Emergency and Uniformed Support

• Mission-critical IT Systems and Infrastructure

• Cybersecurity, Monitoring, and Incident Response

• Data Protection and Continuity/Recovery Support

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

PROTECTIVE SERVICES

DEFINING MISSION SUCCESS

Success Is Built On These Core Expectations:

• Mission Alignment & Enterprise Integration:

Site-level operations must seamlessly connect to and support NASA’s enterprise framework and evolving mission priorities.

• Strategic Integration: The contractor must be collaborative, forward-thinking, and disciplined in enterprise reporting and oversight.

• Operational Excellence & Resilience: Precision, compliance, transparency, and proactive risk management are key to day-to-day execution.

• Proven Execution: Future partners must show measurable performance, not just promises, across all domains.

Industry Engagement Event at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Dr. Lori Glaze Associate Administrator

Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate

OCT. 21, 2026

2H u m a n S p a c e f l i g h t M i s s i o n D i r e c t o r a t e

H U M A N S P A C E F L I G H T M I S S I O N D I R E C T O R A T E

Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) Missions MADCAP (Multimission Automated Deepspace Conjunction Assessment Process)

Human Spaceflight Utilization at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Questions?

NASA Industry Engagement Day Research & Technology Mission Directorate

J O H N M C C U L L O U G H Director/Program Manager Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) October 21, 2026

Advanced Research & Technology

Space Communications &

Navigation

Space ReactorsAeronautics

NASA’s Research and Technology Mission Directorate

Research and Technology Mission Directorate

Dr. Jimmy Kenyon, Associate Administrator

Dr. Wanda Peters, Deputy Associate Administrator

Office of the Associate Administrator

Aeronautics

Division

Laurie Grindle, Director

Research Innovation and

Technology Program

Flight Research and

Demonstrations Program

Aerospace Capabilities

Portfolio Office

Advanced Research and

Technology Division

Greg Stover, Director

Innovation Program Office

Space Transportation

Advanced Technology Office

Space Infrastructure

Advanced Technology Office

John McCullough, Acting Director

Philip Baldwin, Deputy Director

Space Communications and

Navigation (SCaN) Division

Network Operations

Capabilities Development

Mission and Stakeholder Engagement

Agency Spectrum Management

Systems Engineering and Integration

Network Integrity

Space Reactors

Division

Cynthia Simmons, Director

Space Reactor-1 Freedom

Lunar Reactor-1

Radioisotope Power

Systems Program Office

Advanced Nuclear

Technology Office

Business Management

Office

Bill Harrison, Office Chief

Resource Management

Business Operations

Updated Sep. 25, 2026

Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN)

Madrid, Spain (DSN)

Blossom Point, MD

WG1, WG2, Wallops Island, VA

Launch Range, FL

ASF, AK

NOAA, AK

MGS

McMurdo Ground Station, Antarctica

Guam Remote

Ground Terminal

White Sands

Complex, NM

North Pole, AK

SSC Hawaii

KSAT

TrollSat, Antarctica

SSC

Dongara, Australia

KSAT

Singapore

SSC

Hartebeesthoek, South Africa

KSAT, Norway

SSC Kiruna, Sweden

Hawaii

Table Mtn, CA White Sands, NM

Punta Arenas, Chile

Svalbard, Norway

*DAEP Ka-band Upgrades

LEGS 1, White Sands

LEGS 3,

Australia

LEGS 2,

Matjiesfontein, South Africa

SSC Santiago, Chile

NASA Deep Space Network (DSN)

NASA Near Space Network (NSN)

Commercial Assets Supporting NSN

Optical

Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS)

F6

F12

F13 F7

F8

F11

Canberra, Australia (DSN) *DAEP Ka-band Upgrades

Goldstone, CA (DSN) *DAEP Ka-band

Upgrade

Network Map

AS1, AS2, AS3

Fairbanks, AK

Lunar Relays

Mars Network (In Formulation)

Mars Relays

Perseverance Mars Rover

Curiosity Mars Rover

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mars Orbiter

Juno Jupiter Orbiter

Voyager Interstellar Space

Psyche Astro Belt En Route

James Webb Space Telescope Deep Space Observatory

100+ Missions Supported by the Networks

Lunar Coordinated

Time

LunaNet

Lunar Relays

Lunar 5G

Optical Comm

Lunar mGNSS

LSP

Lunar

Surface Propagation

KaSTLE Ka-Steerable

Terminal For Lunar

Environments AutoNGC Autonomous

Navigation

MTN

LEGS

Lunar Exploration

Ground Sites

DAEP

DSN

Aperture Enhancement

Program

Moon to Mars

Artemis & Moon Base

SCaN is advancing cutting-edge technologies, collaborating with industry, and shaping global standards through Artemis and Moon Base to build a resilient, interoperable space future

Unified Network & Navigation Operations (UNNO)

Current State

• Multiple contracts across NSN and DSN

• Inconsistent approaches across sites

• Uneven governance and reporting

• Limited enterprise cost control

• Fragmented accountability

Shift

• One acquisition construct

• One common management framework

• Standardized expectations & implementation

• Better enterprise integration

• Improved visibility and control

Implementation

• Consistent cross-site management

• Common cost and performance framework

• Stronger enterprise accountability

• Modernization planned within one framework, not layered onto legacy fragments

Pre-decisional — for market research purposes only. This is not a solicitation.

Consolidated contract approach focused on Operations and Maintenance (O&M) management for Near Space Network and Deep Space Network services and scheduling. The O&M work out of Goldstone and Marovia facilities will transition to UNNO.

UNNO transitions from parallel cost-plus contracts to single hybrid contract

Unified Network & Navigation Operations (UNNO)

Objective Desired outcome

Unify Network while Maintaining Mission Continuity: Uninterrupted Network Operations

Service delivery is continuous, proficient, and resilient. No mission customer experiences a degradation of service as a consequence of contract transition, network unification, organizational change, or the introduction of new systems and providers.

Efficiency in Contract Execution and Network Operations

UNNO delivers credible, auditable baseline and method for quantifying efficiencies (cost per service hour, cost per supported event, labor hours per deliverable, mission onboarding cycle time, mean time to repair, discrepancy closure rate, and similar measures).

Safety Culture and Compliance with Safety Standards

No serious injuries, no preventable mishaps, and a workforce at every site that visibly owns safety as a personal and organizational value.

Best Practices and Skill Sharing Focus on O&M and facility support functions, with contractually required lessons learned, best practices communication, and skill sharing across networks and facilities.

Unified Cybersecurity Standards and Modern Cyber Compliance

A single, coherent, modern cybersecurity implementation spanning the unified network that protects mission-critical space and ground systems against evolving threats while maintaining operations.

Pre-decisional — for market research purposes only. This is not a solicitation.

Advanced Research & Technology Division

Lunar Exploration and Mars-Forward Preparation

First Human

Mission to Mars Sustained Mars Presence

Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3

Deep Space Communications and Navigation Concept Analysis

• One-year architecture definition and technology development prioritization effort with MIT Lincoln Lab and JPL

• Aims to define extensible communication and navigation architecture for human exploration activities

• Provide roadmap for evolving operational capabilities and recommend near-term technology investments

• Mars-forward analysis designed to inform current investments, including current lunar technology development activities

• Evaluate possible impacts on near-term lunar infrastructure development

Mars-forward focus building on exploration at the Moon

Mars

Segment Earth

Segment

DST

Mars Segment

• Mars orbiting trunk node(s) provide access links to surface and orbital users

• Moderate-rate high-availability radio links to/from Earth

• High-rate moderate-availability optical links to/from Earth

Enabling Technologies (examples)

• Large-aperture, high-power radio/optical terminals

• High-orthogonality space/ground optical transmitters and receivers

• Enhanced optical pointing/tracking capabilities

• Near-sun optical/radio techniques

• High-accuracy space-based clocks

Earth Segment

• Global ground radio and optical networks

• Earth leading/trailing space node(s) for continuous optical availability and solar conjunction mitigation

Extensible Deep Space Comm and Nav Architecture

Space Reactor Division

Powering the Future of Exploration

Nuclear technologies for deep-space transportation and sustained surface operations.

Space Reactor Freedom

• Target launch: late 2028

• First fission-powered interplanetary spacecraft

• Demonstrating nuclear electric propulsion en route to Mars

Lunar Reactor 1

• Target: launch-ready in 2030

• First fission surface-power system on the Moon

• Enables sustained operations through lunar darkness and in shadowed regions

Dependable electricity and heat for missions operating in cold, low-sunlight environments Power Beyond the Sun: Radioisotope Power Systems

Dragonfly

• Target launch: 2028

• Exploring Saturn’s moon, Titan

• One MMRTG and 24 radioisotope heater unit

ESA's Rosalind Franklin Mission

• Target Launch: Late 2028

• Mars rover seeking signs of life beneath the surface

• 24 lightweight radioisotope heater units

R E S E A R C H A N D T E C H N O L O G Y M I S S I O N D I R E C TO R AT E

S PA C E C O M M U N I C AT I O N S & N AV I G AT I O N

nasa.gov/SCaNscan@nasa.gov

N A S A J E T P R O P U L S I O N L A B O R A T O R Y

FFRDC Contract Competition Industry Engagement

Real Estate & Facilities Overview

AGENDA

01 Laboratory Overview Location, scale, and strategic context

02 Key Facilities Portfolio Mission-critical laboratories and historic assets

03 Key Facilities Deep Dive Assembly, Ops, Simulator, Mars Yard, MDL, EP Lab, Radiation Facilities

Environmental & Superfund Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) obligations and ongoing remediation

05 Real Estate Considerations Implications for prospective Contractors

Laboratory Overview

LABORATORY OVERVIEW

177+ Acres

Federal property

~140 Buildings

Labs, offices, support

~5,000+ Personnel

Staff & contractors

~40 Active Missions

Deep-space & robotics

4800 Oak Grove Drive La Cañada Flintridge / Pasadena, CA

NASA’s only FFRDC

Two National Historic Landmarks:

• Space Flight Operations Facility

• 25-Foot Space Simulator

Key Facilities Portfolio

KEY FACILITIES PORTFOLIO SNAPSHOT

Spacecraft Assembly Facility

High Bay 1 & 2 cleanrooms — final assembly of Voyager, Galileo, Cassini & all Mars rovers

Space Flight Operations Facility

National Historic Landmark; continuous deep-space mission control since 1963

25-Foot Space Simulator

National Historic Landmark; thermal-vacuum & solar simulation for flight hardware

Mars Yard & Rover Ops

Outdoor analog terrain + engineering models for mobility & autonomy testing

Microdevices Laboratory

13,000 SF multi-class cleanroom;

detectors, MEMS, e-beam lithography

Electric Propulsion Laboratory

Vacuum chambers for Hall & ion thrusters; Owens Facility;

micropropulsion

Key Facilities Deep Dive

SPACECRAFT ASSEMBLY FACILITY (BLDG 179)

Mission Heritage

Constructed 1961. High Bay 1 (~80 × 120 ft) and High Bay 2 (1976). Birthplace of Ranger, Mariner, Voyager, Galileo, Cassini, and every NASA Mars rover.

Capabilities

▸ Class 10,000 cleanrooms

▸ Viewing galleries for tours

▸ Integration & system checkout

▸ Wall of Fame of flight systems

SPACE FLIGHT OPERATIONS FACILITY (SFOF) (BLDG 230)

NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK

Continuous deep-space operations since 1963. Primary interface for the Deep Space Network (Goldstone, Canberra, Madrid).

Mission Support Area Real-time commanding, spacecraft telemetry, & anomaly response for 40+ missions

Public Engagement

Regular tour stop; viewing gallery for historic moments

Facility Status

Ongoing renovations while maintaining 24/7 operations

25-FOOT SPACE SIMULATOR (BLDG 150)

Europa Clipper in the Space Simulator

National Historic Landmark Built 1961

Stainless-steel cylindrical chamber (25 ft diameter × 85 ft height) capable of extreme cold, high vacuum, and intense collimated solar radiation.

Flight Hardware Tested ▸ Ranger, Mariner, Voyager, Galileo, Cassini

▸ Perseverance rover & Ingenuity helicopter

▸ Europa Clipper thermal-vacuum campaign

MARS YARD

Outdoor Analog Terrain

>2,000 m² proving ground designed with geologists to replicate Martian and lunar surfaces. Variable-angle slopes, rock distributions matched to flight sites, and a modern robot garage housing engineering models of Curiosity and Perseverance.

Key Uses

▸ Mobility & sampling tests

▸ Autonomy software validation

▸ Side-by-side engineering models

▸ Viewing platform for observation

MICRODEVICES LABORATORY (MDL) (BLDG 302)

Institutional Micro/Nano Fabrication Facility

Operational since 1989. 13,000-square-foot multi-class cleanroom (Class 10 to Class 100,000) used by 70+ research scientists. Over 130 process tools supporting UV & e-beam lithography, materials growth, etching, deposition, and characterization.

Flexible shared-equipment model open to JPL and approved external users — enables rapid prototyping of flight microdevices not available commercially.

Detectors Mid-IR, UV-Visible, submillimeter & bolometer arrays for Earth, planetary & astrophysics instruments

Diffractive Optics E-beam fabricated gratings and nanostructures enabling unique spectrometer performance

MEMS & Nanosystems Sensors, actuators, and micro-instruments for extreme environments

Flight Heritage Devices flown on Mars rovers, Earth science missions, and deep-space observatories

ELECTRIC PROPULSION LABORATORY (BLDG 148)

Develop and qualify electric thrusters for deep-space missions The EP Lab maintains multiple cryopumped vacuum facilities for performance, lifetime, and integration testing of Hall, ion, and microthrusters — supporting Psyche, Gateway, and advanced concepts.

Owens Test Facility

3 m × 10 m long chamber. 30,000-hour NSTAR ion thruster life test. Hall & ion thrusters up to 20 kW. Flight qualification

TVAC.

High-Bay Test Facility

2.6 m × 5.2 m. Six cryogenic pumps; ~200 kl/s on xenon.

Performance and plume characterization.

MicroPropulsion Lab (MPL)

Class 10 cleanroom + UHV chambers. Nano-Newton thrust stand (<0.5 µN). Electrospray / colloid / FEEP testing.

Condensable Metal Facility

Unique national asset for high-power (0.1–1 MW) liquid-metal fueled thrusters. Water-cooled shrouds to 2.5 MW.

PROJECT FORMULATION (BLDG 301)

Mission Formulation & Concurrent Engineering

• State-of-the-art environment supporting rapid mission concept design, analysis and evaluation.

• Networked workstations, data infrastructure, large interactive displays, modeling and simulation tools, historical repositories and a shared project model.

• Supports pre-Phase A / Phase A design-team activities and real-time multidisciplinary trades.

Strategic Value Maintains concurrent engineering as a strategic JPL capability and a key element of increased attention to project formulation.

IN-SITU INSTRUMENT LABORATORY (BLDG 317)

The In-Situ Instrument Laboratory (ISIL) is a building that includes many different types of laboratories.

The main high bay in ISIL is a Mars-like environment for missions to Mars. The high bay is equipped with overhead lighting to simulate the Martian sunlight. This area allows missions to test their robotic instruments on a surface that can mimic the Martian surface.

The high bay was originally designed for the Pathfinder and Mars Exploration Rover Programs and their testbed rovers. Over the years it has also served as the Surface Testbed for the InSight Lander, and Mars 2020 Missions to Mars and their need to test various sequences such as Driving, Instrument Deployments, and Robotic Arm operations.

OPTICAL INTERFEROMETRY DEVELOPMENT LABORATORY (BLDG 318)

Precision Instrument Development

Building 318 was designed as a dedicated interferometry development facility with tightly controlled temperature, humidity, vibration, and noise for advanced space-instrument development.

Facility Characteristics

▸ 14,500-square-foot facility ▸ 4,930-square-foot high bay ▸ Vibration-isolated development environments ▸ Picometer-class control technology development

ROVER OPERATIONS CENTER (BLDG 230)

A center of excellence for current and future rover, aerial, and other surface missions, the Rover Operations Center at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory leverages JPL’s decades of experience in planetary rover operations. The ROC will support partnerships and technology transfer to catalyze the next generation of Moon and Mars surface missions.

The ROC offers tools, teams, processes training, and facilities for operations success, including systems engineering, integration, and test (SEIT). Other support includes onboard autonomy/AI, resources for orbital and interplanetary communications planning and scheduling, critical anomaly response capabilities, and surge staffing support.

RADIATION EFFECTS & PARTICLE TEST FACILITIES

Center for Space Radiation & Radiation Effects Group In-house radiation test capabilities and partnerships with external accelerator facilities to qualify electronics and materials for the space radiation environment.

Dynamitron (In-House)

▸ 3 MeV electron beam

▸ Internal charging characterization

▸ Materials & electronics testing

▸ Unique on-site capability

Total Ionizing Dose & SEE

▸ Cobalt-60 gamma sources (TID) ▸ Picosecond laser (Single Event

Effect (SEE) lab ▸ Parts evaluation & Radiation

Hardness support ▸ Radiation Effects Database

Proton & Heavy-Ion Testing

▸ Partner accelerators

▸ Proton SEE & displacement damage

▸ Heavy-ion facilities worldwide

▸ Board-level & component testing

MODERNIZATION & NEW ASSETS

Flight Electronics Integration Facility (FEIF) Completed in 2024, FEIF is JPL’s first completely new laboratory building in more than three decades — a 5-story, 88,000 SF LEED Gold facility for electronic and microelectronic engineering, fabrication, testing, and assembly.

Cleanrooms

Class 10K cleanrooms for critical electronics work

Labs & Prototyping Specialized spaces for research, fabrication & integration

Collaboration Offices and meeting spaces for multidisciplinary teams

Sustainability LEED Gold certification — modern energy & environmental standards

Environmental & Superfund

SUPERFUND / CERCLA SITE OBLIGATIONS

JPL is on the National Priorities List (NPL) under CERCLA. NASA is the lead federal agency for investigation and cleanup under a Federal Facilities Agreement with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), and Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB)

Status & Scope

Listed on NPL in 1992. Contaminants of concern: VOCs, perchlorate; PFAS under investigation. OU-2 (vadose zone soil) cleanup complete. Groundwater (OU-1 source area & OU-3 off-facility) remains active.

Ongoing Remedies

Three NASA-funded groundwater treatment systems (on-site source area, Lincoln Avenue Water Co., City of Pasadena Monk Hill). >97% reduction of chemicals beneath JPL. 2018 Record of Decision governs final remedy.

Institutional Controls

ICs restrict use of impacted groundwater without evaluation/treatment. Agreements with state/local agencies on new wells in the Raymond Basin. Five-year reviews required under CERCLA.

Implications

Any future FFRDC Contractor must coordinate with NASA’s CERCLA program, support access for remediation systems and monitoring wells, and ensure facility operations do not interfere with ongoing cleanup or institutional controls.

Real Estate Considerations

REAL ESTATE & FACILITIES CONSIDERATIONS

Implications for Prospective Contractors

Government-Owned Facilities The Laboratory is federally owned property with facilities capable of supporting both unclassified and classified projects.

The contractor assumes full responsibility for facility maintenance, modernization, environmental compliance, and mission readiness.

Historic Landmark Obligations

SFOF and 25-Foot Space Simulator carry National Historic Landmark status — stewardship and preservation requirements apply.

Specialized Infrastructure

Cleanrooms (MDL, SAF, FEIF), EP vacuum chambers, Dynamitron, cryogenic systems, and DSN interfaces require deep domain expertise.

CERCLA / Superfund

Ongoing groundwater remediation and institutional controls.

Contractor must support NASA’s lead-agency cleanup and avoid interference with treatment systems.

Workforce & Continuity

Facilities support ~5,000 on-site personnel. Institutional knowledge and 24/7 mission operations must be preserved.

Off-Site Assets

Contract scope includes facilities at Fort Irwin and Wrightwood in addition to the main Pasadena campus.

K E Y T A K E A W A Y S

01 NASA JPL’s 177+ acre campus houses irreplaceable national assets critical to deep-space exploration.

02 Two National Historic Landmarks plus unique cleanrooms, EP test facilities, and radiation capabilities.

03 Active CERCLA Superfund obligations require ongoing coordination with NASA’s environmental program.

04 Contractor must deliver uninterrupted mission support, continuity of workforce expertise, facility stewardship, and cost-effective modernization

Questions & Discussion

Industry Engagement Event • October 21–22, 2026 • JPL Pasadena Campus

Jet Propulsion Laboratory Group Tour Map

144 – Electric Propulsion Lab 150 – 25 ft Space Simulator 179 – Spacecraft Assembly Facility TBD – Mars Yard (MY) 230 – Spaceflight Operations Facility 230 – Rover Operations Center 301 – Project Formulation 302 – Microdevices Laboratory 317 – In-Situ Instrument Laboratory 318 – Optical Interferometry Dev Lab

= No egress off the bus = Internal building visit

MY

Start Time End Time Duration (min) Transit (min) Location 10:00 AM 10:05 AM 5 Load Members on to Bus

5 Drive to East Building 144 10:10 AM 10:13 AM 3 Electric Propulsion Laboratory

0 View Building 10:13 AM 10:16 AM 3 Environmental & Spacecraft Testing Facility

3 View Building, walk to Building 150 10:19 AM 10:29 AM 10 25-Foot Space Simulator

3 Drive to Mars Yard 10:32 AM 10:35 AM 3 View Outdoor Mars Yard

3 Drive to Building 230 (North Side) 10:38 AM 10:41 AM 3 Rover Operations Center

3 View Building, Drive to Building 302 10:44 AM 10:54 AM 10 MicroDevices Laboratory

3 Walk to Building 317 10:57 AM 11:07 AM 10 In-Situ Instrument Laboratory

3 View Building, Drive to Building 318 11:10 AM 11:13 AM 3 Optical & Interferometry Development Laboratory

3 Drive to Eastside of Building 179 11:16 AM 11:26 AM 10 Spacecraft Assembly Facility High Bay #1

3 View Building 301 11:29 AM 11:32 AM 3 A-Team, Team X & VividLab

3 Drive to Building 230 11:35 AM 11:45 AM 10 Space Flight Operations Facility

5 Drive to Main Gate 11:50 AM Tour Ends

= No egress off of bus

Group Tour #1 Itinerary

Group Tour #2 Itinerary

Start Time End Time Duration (min) Transit (min) Location 12:00 PM 12:05 PM 5 Load Members on to Bus

5 Drive to East Building 144 12:10 PM 12:13 PM 3 Electric Propulsion Laboratory

0 View Building 12:13 PM 12:16 PM 3 Environmental & Spacecraft Testing Facility

3 View Building, walk to Building 150 12:19 PM 12:29 PM 10 25-Foot Space Simulator

3 Drive to Mars Yard 12:32 PM 12:35 PM 3 View Outdoor Mars Yard

3 Drive to Building 230 (North Side) 12:38 PM 12:41 PM 3 Rover Operations Center

3 View Building, Drive to Building 302 12:44 PM 12:54 PM 10 MicroDevices Laboratory

3 Walk to Building 317 12:57 PM 1:07 PM 10 In-Situ Instrument Laboratory

3 View Building, Drive to Building 318 1:10 PM 1:13 PM 3 Optical & Interferometry Development Laboratory

3 Drive to Eastside of Building 179 1:16 PM 1:26 PM 10 Spacecraft Assembly Facility High Bay #1

3 View Building 301 1:29 PM 1:32 PM 3 A-Team, Team X & VividLab

3 Drive to Building 230 1:35 PM 1:45 PM 10 Space Flight Operations Facility

5 Drive to Main Gate 1:50 PM Tour Ends

= No egress off of bus