NASA PY26 CCRPP Call for Applications.pdf

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and

Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs

Program Year 2026 Civilian Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program

(CCRPP)

Completed Application Package Due Date and Time:

August 19, 2026 - 5:00 p.m. ET

NASA SBIR/STTR Program Program Year 2026 CCRPP

Contents Executive Summary 1 Program Description

1.1 Legislative Authority and Background

1.1.1 Due Diligence Program to Assess Security Risks

1.2 Purpose and Priorities

1.3 Three-Phase Program

1.4 Availability of Funds

1.5 Matching Funds

1.6 Anticipated Budget and Number of Awards

1.7 Eligibility Requirements

1.7.1 Definition of an Investor

1.7.2 General Guidance on What Qualifies as Investment

1.7.3 Small Business Concern (SBC)

1.7.4 SBC Size

1.7.5 Restrictions on Level of Small Business Participation

1.7.6 Place of Performance and American-Made Products and Equipment

1.7.7 Principal Investigator (PI) Employment Requirement

1.7.8 Novated/Successor in Interested/Revised Funding Agreements

1.7.9 Restrictions on Venture-Capital-Owned Businesses

1.7.10 Joint Ventures or Limited Partnerships

1.8 NASA Technology Available (TAV) for SBIR Use

1.8.1 Use of NASA Software

1.8.2 Use of NASA Patent

1.9 I-Corps™

1.10 Small Business Administration (SBA) Applicant Resources

1.11 NASA Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP)

1.12 Fraud, Waste and Abuse and False Statements

1.13 NASA Procurement Ombudsman Program

1.14 General Information

1.14.1 Questions About This Solicitation and Means of Contacting NASA SBIR/STTR Program

1.15 Definitions

2 Registrations, Certifications and Other Information

2.1 Small Business Administration (SBA) Company Registry

2.2 System for Award Management (SAM) Registration

2.3 Certifications

2.3.1 Disclosures of Foreign Affiliation or Relationships to Foreign Countries

2.4 Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and NASA Certifications and Clauses

2.5 Software Development Standards

2.6 Human and/or Animal Subject

2.7 Flight Safety Standards

2.8 Commercial Air Service and NASA Airworthiness Requirements

2.9 Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12)

3 Application Preparation Instructions and Requirements

3.1 Requirements to Submit an Application Package

3.1.1 General Requirements

3.1.2 Classified Information

3.1.3 Format Requirements

3.1.4 Application Package Requirements

3.2 Understanding the Patent Landscape

3.3 Proprietary Information in the Application Submission

3.4 Release of Certain Application Information

4 Method of Selection and Evaluation Criteria

4.1 Administrative Review

4.2 Letter of Commitment

4.3 Initial Screening for Responsiveness to Program Goals

4.4 Technical Screening and Evaluation

4.5 Commercial Potential

4.6 Evaluation Criteria

Factor 1: Scientific/Technical Merit and Feasibility Factor 2: Experience, Qualifications, and Facilities Factor 3: Effectiveness of the Proposed Work Plan Factor 4: Commercial Potential and Feasibility Scoring and Weighting to Determine the Most Highly Rated Applications

4.7 Prioritization

4.8 Selection

4.8.1 For Selectees

4.8.2 For Non-Selectees

4.9 Determination of Cost/Price Reasonableness and Responsibility

4.10 Access to Proprietary Data by Non-NASA Personnel

4.10.1 Non-NASA Reviewers

4.10.2 Non-NASA Access to Confidential Business Information

5 Considerations for Contracting and Additional Information

5.1 Requirements for Negotiations

5.1.1 Requirements for Contracting

5.2 Awards

5.2.1 Anticipated Number of Awards

5.2.2 Award Conditions

5.2.3 Type of Contract

5.2.4 5.2.4 Model Contracts

5.3 Reporting and Required Deliverables

5.4 Payment Schedule

5.5 Profit

5.6 Cost Sharing

5.7 Rights in Data Developed Under SBIR Funding Agreements

5.8 Copyrights

5.9 Invention Reporting, Election of Title, Patent Application Filing, and Patents

5.10 Export Control

5.11 Government-Furnished and Contractor-Acquired Property

5.12 Essentially Equivalent Awards and Prior Work

5.12.1 Additional Information

5.13 Use of Government Resources

5.14 Agency Recovery Authority and Ongoing Reporting

6 Submission of Applications

6.1 How to Submit Your Application Package

6.1.1 Electronic Submission of Applications

6.1.2 Deadline for Application Package Submission

6.1.3 Application Package Submission

6.1.4 Acknowledgement of an Application Package Receipt

6.1.5 Withdrawal of Application Packages

6.1.6 Service of Protests

7 Application, Scientific and Technical Information Sources

7.1 NASA Organizational and Programmatic Information

7.2 United States Small Business Administration (SBA)

7.3 National Technical Information Service

8 Submission Forms

8.1 CCRPP Checklist

Appendix A. Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) Descriptions

Appendix B. Specific Examples of What Does and Does Not Qualify As Investment .. 51 Appendix C. List of NASA SBIR Phase II Clauses, Regulations and Certifications

Executive Summary The NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program supports small businesses to create innovative, disruptive technologies that benefit society and may be used in NASA programs and missions, other government agencies, and/or sold in commercial markets. Different from most investors, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program provides equity-free funding for early or "seed" stage research and development.

The NASA SBIR/STTR program focuses on the following:

1. stimulate technological innovation

2. use small business to meet Federal R/R&D needs

3. foster and encourage participation by emerging and undercapitalized SBCs in technological innovation

4. increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal R/R&D, thereby increasing competition, productivity and economic growth

The Civilian Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program (CCRPP) was reauthorized under the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act in 2026. The CCRPP accelerates the transition of SBIR and STTR funded technologies to commercialization through a combination of additional SBIR/STTR program investment and NASA or non-NASA entity sponsor investment.

Eligible small business firms may submit a CCRPP application for the 2026 award cycle in response to this call. If selected for award, NASA will match the investments with SBIR/STTR program funds between $500,000 and $2.5 million for each CCRPP award. Applications must be submitted via ProSAMS.

This document contains the objectives, funding information, application preparation instructions, and eligibility criteria to apply for a CCRPP award.

Important considerations:

Ensure you have the following registrations complete and up to date. If you are not registered, NASA recommends you start immediately.

• SAM.gov registration at https://sam.gov/. You must have a unique Entity Identifier (UEI). You must have a unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

• Registration with the SBIR Company Registry at https://app.www.sbir.gov/company-registration/overview

Active SAM.gov registration is required at submissions and at the time of contract award. Your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code must be 541713 or 541715 at the time of contract award.

Agencies must assess the security risks presented by offerors with financial ties or obligations to certain foreign countries. SBIR programs may not make awards to businesses with certain connections to foreign entities. See sections 1.1.1 Due Diligence Program to Assess Security Risks and 2.3.1 Disclosures of Foreign Affiliation or Relationships to Foreign Countries for additional details.

https://sam.gov/ https://app.www.sbir.gov/company-registration/overview

1 Program Description

1.1 Legislative Authority and Background

Congress created the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs to support scientific excellence and technological innovation through the investment of federal research funds. The purpose of this investment is to build a strong national economy, strengthen the role of small business in meeting federal research and development needs, increase the commercial application of research results, and foster and encourage participation by socially and economically disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses.

The goal of Civilian Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program (CCRPP) is commercialization impact. CCRPP awards are not designed for the incremental changes of earlier phases of development. Rather, these heavyweight technologies are running an accelerated path into transitioning to NASA missions and applications as well as commercial markets. Title 15 of the United States Code 638, section uu, [15 U.S.C. 638 (uu)], indicates CCRPP funds awarded to an eligible entity may only be used for research and development activities that build on eligible entity's Phase II program and ensure the research funded under such Phase II is rapidly progressing towards commercialization.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides policy through the combined SBIR/STTR Programs. The Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act amended the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638) to extend the SBIR and STTR programs until September 30, 2031. The NASA SBIR/STTR Programs follow the policies and practices of the SBA SBIR/STTR Policy Directive. Revisions to the Policy Directive can be viewed through the Federal Register Notice.

1.1.1 Due Diligence Program to Assess Security Risks

Title 15 of the United States Code 638, section vv, [15 U.S.C. 638 (vv)], requires NASA, in coordination with the SBA, to establish and implement a due diligence program to assess security risks presented by offerors seeking a federally funded award. As noted above, this revision is incorporated into this solicitation, including Appendix III, “Disclosures of Foreign Affiliations or Relationships to Foreign Countries” as reflected in the Disclosures of Foreign Affiliations or Relationships to Foreign Countries form (see section 2.3.1).

In accordance with 15 U.S.C 638 (vv), NASA will review all applications submitted in response to this solicitation to assess security risks presented by offerors seeking a SBIR or STTR award. NASA will use information provided by the offeror in response to the Disclosures of Foreign Affiliations or Relationships to Foreign Countries form and the application to conduct a risk-based due diligence review on the cybersecurity practices, patent analysis, employee analysis, and foreign ownership of a small business concern, including the financial ties and obligations (which shall include surety, equity, and debt obligations) of the offeror and its employees to a foreign country, foreign person, or foreign entity. Additionally, the due diligence review will conduct a risk-based due diligence review of foreign affiliations of a covered individual, owner, or other key personnel of a small business concern with an entity in a foreign country of concern; investment relationships of small business concern with an individual or entity in a foreign country of concern; technology licensing agreements or joint ventures (including joint venture like agreements) with an individual or entity in a foreign country of concern; and ‘business relationships between a covered individual, owner, or other key personnel of a small business concern and an individual or entity in a foreign country of concern. This review includes any foreign risk connecting the small business concern to an entity, including any affiliates of the entity, or individual on any relevant prohibited lists defined by law. NASA will also assess applications utilizing relevant resources, analytical tools, and other valid means to assess potential nondisclosures of the information set forth in 15 U.S.C. § 638.

1.2 Purpose and Priorities

This call for applications sets the requirements for you, the offeror, to submit an application to NASA for a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program Civilian Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program (CCRPP) award.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:15%20section:638%20edition:prelim) https://www.sba.gov/ https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3971/text https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3971/text https://www.sbir.gov/about/policies https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/04/03/2023-06870/small-business-innovation-research-program-and-small-business-technology-transfer-program-policy https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSC-2024-title15-section638&num=0 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSC-2024-title15-section638&num=0

NASA provides this call to participate in the CCRPP for the program year 2026 award cycle of its SBIR/STTR program.

NASA’s CCRPP is available to all small business concerns that have either:

1. Completed SBIR/STTR Phase II award selected from NASA solicitations issued from approximately the last 10 years and whose Phase II period of performance is complete by the end of the current call for applications – August 19, 2026. See Section 1.7 for eligibility requirements.

2. NASA SBIR/STTR Phase II-E options resulting from Phase I awards starting in Program Year 2014 or later, regardless of when their period of performance ends.

3. An ongoing or completed NASA SBIR/STTR Phase II Sequential award

Firms must not have received a CCRPP award (or equivalent awards that use the same authorities such as, but not necessarily limited to, Commercialization Readiness Program (CRP) awards) from any federal Agency for the Phase II technology associated with the Phase II award.

You must follow the application requirements set in this solicitation. Furthermore, program background information, eligibility requirements for participants, information on the three program phases, and information for preparing application packages are contained herein.

The NASA SBIR/STTR Program Management Office (PMO), hosted at the NASA Ames Research Center, operates the programs together with NASA mission directorates, programs, projects, and centers. The NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC) manages SBIR and STTR procurements.

1.3 Three-Phase Program

NASA SBIR/STTR projects advance through three phases and are described in detail on the NASA SBIR/STTR website: https://www.nasa.gov/sbir_sttr/.

Phase I Phase I projects should demonstrate technical feasibility of the proposed innovation and the potential for use in a NASA program or mission and/or the commercial market.

Phase II Phase II proposals continue the research and development started in Phase I to bring the innovation closer to use in a NASA program or mission and/or the commercial market. Phase II requires a more detailed proposal of the technical effort and commercialization strategy.

Post-Phase II Opportunities for Continued Technology Development Phase I and II awards may not be sufficient in either dollars or time to prepare the project for government or commercial use. Therefore, NASA supports small businesses beyond Phase I and II awards with several Post Phase II initiatives such as the CCRPP.

Phase III SBIR/STTR awardees are eligible to receive sole-source Phase III contracts any time after award of their Phase I contracts. In Phase III, customers outside the SBIR and STTR programs - including NASA programs, other government agencies, or the private sector - fund the further development or use of innovative technologies, products, and services resulting from either a Phase I or Phase II award. Please refer to the NASA SBIR/STTR website for Phase III information.

1.4 Availability of Funds

NASA does not commit to fund any application or to make a specific number of awards. NASA will determine the number of awards based on the level of appropriated funding provided to the program.

https://www.nasa.gov/sbir_sttr/ https://www.nasa.gov/sbir_sttr/phase-iii/

1.5 Matching Funds

NASA will match the investments with SBIR/STTR program funds between $500,000 and $2.5 million for each CCRPP award. Eligible firms must identify an investor, obtain investment funding, and submit a Letter of Commitment from an investor to provide matching funds when submitting a CCRPP application. There can be more than one investor for each CCRPP application. A Letter of Commitment is required from each investor. The CCRPP award will take the form of a new contract with the firm with the SBIR/STTR program funds; the investor funds will be provided to the firm separately from the CCRPP contract.

The intent of the investment funding is that this is co-funded with new fully obligated/transferred funds that are to be co-spent in parallel to the CCRPP award. Pre-existing investments will not be accepted; non-government funds transferred more than 60 calendar days prior to notification of selection will not be accepted, and federal and state government funds transferred more than 90 calendar days prior to notification of selection will not be accepted. See section 1.7.2 for more information on what does and does not qualify as investments including limitations on in-kind contributions, subcontracting back to the investor, and purchases. If selected, the small business firm will be contacted and notified of the amount of time they will have to have funds transferred and to show proof of funds.

Note that NASA does not take funds from the investor; funds must be transferred to the firm.

1.6 Anticipated Budget and Number of Awards

Amount of award is a maximum of $5 million per award ($2.5 million from NASA SBIR/STTR program funds and $2.5 million from non-SBIR/STTR funds). Each company may only receive one CCRPP award per fiscal year.

After initial selection and subject to availability of additional funding, NASA may elect to identify additional CCRPP applications for contract negotiation. NASA will provide notice to firms in the event additional funding is identified and their application is selected for negotiation.

1.7 Eligibility Requirements

Requirements for FY26 CCRPP eligibility include:

• Prior NASA SBIR/STTR Phase II awards resulting from Phase I awards starting in Program Year 2014 or later and whose Phase II period of performance is complete by August 19, 2026;

• Ongoing or completed NASA SBIR/STTR Sequential Phase II awards; and

• Phase II-E options resulting from Phase I awards starting in Program Year 2014 or later, regardless of when their period of performance ends.

• The proposed CCRPP work should not duplicate any past or ongoing work. This includes work in other SBIR/STTR contracts irrespective of phase or funding agency or any other equivalent work whether internal or external to NASA.

• Have not yet received a CCRPP award (or equivalent awards that use the same authorities such as, but not necessarily limited to, Commercialization Readiness Program (CRP) awards) from any Federal Agency for the Phase II technology associated with the Phase II award.

• Have secured an investor(s) willing to contribute matching funding to the maturation of the technology detailed in the application of research related to NASA interests.

1.7.1 Definition of an Investor

Investor(s) must be external to the SBIR/STTR Programs, which may include such entities as another company, a venture capital firm, an individual investor, a non-SBIR/STTR government program, or any combination of the above. An external investor cannot include the owners of the small business, their family members, and/or

“affiliates” of the small business, as defined in Title 13 of the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), Section 121.103.

SBIR/STTR program funds from any agency, including NASA, cannot be used as qualifying investments. This includes Phase I, Phase II, and/or other post-Phase II awards funded via SBIR/STTR program funds. Phase III contracting mechanisms where the funds are newly obligated from a mission, project, non-SBIR/STTR program, or the like, from any agency, are allowed. Note that a Phase III contract may be the most expedient mechanism to provide investments from NASA or other government agencies; any federal agency may enter into a Phase III SBIR/STTR agreement at any time with a Phase II Awardee, regardless of which agency originated the Phase II award.

*For specific examples of what does and does not qualify as investment, see Appendix B of this solicitation.

1.7.2 General Guidance on What Qualifies as Investment

The investment must be used to fund work that directly furthers the work done in the Phase II.

Commitment must be made prior to the award, but the expenditure must be concurrent with the CCRPP performance. The federal agency or NASA internal investor’s funds must pay for activities that further the development and/or commercialization of the company’s SBIR/STTR technology beyond the Phase II work (e.g., further R&D, manufacturing, marketing, etc.).

Non-federal agency investments must be an arrangement in which the external investor provides funding to the small business in return for such items as: equity, a share of royalties, rights in the technology, a percentage of profit, or any combination of the above. Additional funding associated with CCRPP shall further the technology of the original SBIR Phase II contract.

For investments from sources external to the federal government, NASA considers factors such as ownership, management, previous relationships with or ties to another concern and contractual relationships, in determining whether affiliation exists. Individuals or firms that have identical or substantially identical business or economic interests, such as family members, persons with common investments, or firms that are economically dependent through contractual or other relationships, may be treated as one party with such interests aggregated.

Note that submission and/or selection of your application for award does not constitute an acceptance of the investment. Contract award will be contingent on acceptable proof of investment, and proof of qualifying/acceptable investment is subject to the discretion of and acceptance by the Contracting Officer and in accordance with any applicable policy, statute, or regulation.

NASA Flight Opportunities is interested in participating as a Post-Phase II investor, specifically for the use of suborbital flight testing to help advance development or commercialization of the technology. Note that the Flight Opportunities investment is unlikely to meet the $500K matching requirement without other investment sources. Learn more about Flight Opportunities’ investment.

The SBIR/STTR Program does not take invested funds from a NASA or Other Government Agency (OGA) project;

funds need to be provided to the firm via a separate contract. This can be done by a direct, non-competed Phase III contract with the firm. Contact the pertinent center SBIR Center Liaison Points of Contact for more information on the Phase III contract process.

Note that existing contracts with the firm can be utilized but not pre-obligated funds. New obligations are required;

see section 1.5 for more details. Note that contract modifications may be required.

While the intent is that invested funds are provided after award, NASA contracts may have funds obligated prior to selection. However, note that Government funds obligated more than 90 calendar days prior to notification of selection will not be accepted as qualifying investments unless the start date of the contract has been set to fall within the period for acceptable investments around notification of selection that meet the intent of co-funding. If you are using a contract that already exists, or is under negotiation, please cite that in your Letter of Commitment, including the contract number, if it exists, or else cite that it is under negotiation and include any pertinent identification information that you may have (e.g., title). If the CCRPP Application is selected, acceptability of https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-121/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFRd133f03f6d8398b/section-121.103 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-121/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFRd133f03f6d8398b/section-121.103 https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/flightopportunities/opportunities/sbir-sttr-post-phase2 http://nasa.gov/sbir_sttr/program-contact investments is subject to approval by the Contracting Officer during contract negotiations. Note that this obligation/start date exception exists only for NASA contracts.

Please be aware of any program/project internal and center approval processes that may affect the timeliness of providing your investment to the firm.

Note that contracts must be fully funded; the NASA SBIR/STTR program can only award CCRPP contracts in a 1:1 ratio and invested funds must be fully obligated prior to the start of the CCRPP contract.

• Note that NASA contracts that are being incrementally funded or funded with milestones may be acceptable; however, the SBIR/STTR program will only match newly obligated increments/milestones that are obligated between 90 calendar days prior to notification of selection through 45 calendar days after notification of selection.

1.7.3 Small Business Concern (SBC)

You must submit a certification stating that the SBC meets the size, ownership, and other requirements of the SBIR program at the time of application package submission, award, and at any other time set forth in SBA’s regulations at 13 CFR §§ 121.701-121.705.

1.7.4 SBC Size

You, combined with affiliates, must not have more than 500 employees.

1.7.5 Restrictions on Level of Small Business Participation

You must be the primary performer of the proposed research effort. All proposed subcontracted business arrangements, including consultants, must not exceed 50 percent of the research and/or analytical work. See Section

3.1.4.6 for minimum requirements.

1.7.6 Place of Performance and American-Made Products and Equipment Congress intends that the awardee of a Funding Agreement under the SBIR/STTR program should, when purchasing any equipment or a product with funds provided through the Funding Agreement, purchase only American-made equipment and products, to the extent possible, in keeping with the overall purposes of this program.

If a rare and unique circumstance exists (for example, if a supply, material, equipment, product, subcontractor/ consultant, or project requirement is not available in the United States), NASA requires you to provide justification by completing the Foreign Vendor Form. This form must be submitted with the Application Budget Form, see section 3.1.4.6. NASA will consider a deviation request during contract negotiation and either approve or decline before award.

NASA will not approve purchases from or work with countries that appear on the Designated Country list. For reference, please see https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control.

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2013-title13-vol1/pdf/CFR-2013-title13-vol1-sec121-702.pdf https://www.nasa.gov/sbir_sttr/firms_library/ https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control

1.7.7 Principal Investigator (PI) Employment Requirement

Requirements CCRPP Primary Employment PI shall be primarily employed with the SBC.

Employment Certification

The offeror must certify in the application package that primary employment of the PI will be with the SBC at the time of award and during the execution of the project and they will spend more than one half of their time as an employee of the awardee or that they have requested and received a written deviation from this requirement from the Contracting Officer.

Co-PIs Not allowed.

Deviation Request Any deviation requests will be reviewed during negotiation of the award and either approved or declined before final award by the Contracting Officer.

Misrepresentation of Qualifications

Shall result in the application package being declined or contract terminated.

Substitution of PIs Requires a prior approval from NASA during negotiations or after award.

Note: NASA considers full-time employment to include salaried employees and employees who regularly work a 40-hour workweek. NASA considers a 19.9-hour or more workweek elsewhere to conflict with this rule. In rare occasions, minor deviations from this requirement may be necessary; however, any minor deviation must be approved in writing prior to the award by the Contracting Officer after consultation with the NASA SBIR/STTR Program Manager.

1.7.8 Novated/Successor in Interested/Revised Funding Agreements An SBIR or STTR awardee may include, and work may be performed by, those identified via a “novated” or “successor in interest” or similarly revised funding agreement. In addition, an awardee may include those that have merely reorganized with the same key staff, regardless of whether they have been assigned a different tax identification number. In cases where there is a novation or similarly revised funding agreement, agencies may require the original awardee to relinquish its rights and interests in an SBIR project in favor of another applicant as a condition for that applicant's eligibility to participate in the programs for that project.

1.7.9 Restrictions on Venture-Capital-Owned Businesses

Small businesses owned in majority part by multiple venture capital operating companies (VCOCs), hedge funds, or private equity firms are not eligible to submit an application to this solicitation. See detailed definitions at 29 CFR 2510.3-101(d)

1.7.10 Joint Ventures or Limited Partnerships

Both joint ventures and limited partnerships are permitted, provided the entity created qualifies as an SBC as defined in 1.7.3. Include in the application package a copy or summary of the joint venture or partnership agreement that includes, at a minimum, a statement of how the workload will be distributed, managed, and charged. See definitions for Joint Ventures along with examples at 13 CFR 121.103(h).

1.8 NASA Technology Available (TAV) for SBIR Use

You may use technology developed by NASA, or Technology Available (TAV), on SBIR projects. NASA has over 1,400 patents available for licensing, including many patents related to sensors and materials, and over 1,000 available software applications/tools in the Portfolio and Software Catalog via the NASA Technology Transfer Portal, http://technology.nasa.gov.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-2510.3-101#p-2510.3-101(d) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-2510.3-101#p-2510.3-101(d) https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2013-title13-vol1/pdf/CFR-2013-title13-vol1-sec121-103.pdf http://technology.nasa.gov/

NASA provides these technologies "as is" and makes no representation or guarantee that additional effort will result in infusion or commercial viability. Whether or not an offeror proposes the use of a NASA patent or computer software within its proposed effort will not in any way be a factor in the selection for award.

1.8.1 Use of NASA Software

If you intend to use NASA software, a Software Usage Agreement (SUA), on a nonexclusive, royalty-free basis, is necessary, and the clause at 48 C.F.R. 1852.227-88, Government-Furnished Computer Software and Related Technical Data, will apply to the contract. Awardees will request the SUA from the appropriate NASA Center Software Release Authority (SRA) after contract award.

1.8.2 Use of NASA Patent

If you intend to use a NASA patent, you must apply for a nonexclusive, royalty-free evaluation license prior to submitting an application. After you have identified a patent to license in the NASA patent portfolio (http://technology.nasa.gov), click the link on the patent webpage (“Apply to License”) to NASA’s Automated Licensing System (ATLAS) to finalize your license with the appropriate field center technology transfer office. You must provide the completed evaluation license application with the application following the directions in section 3.1.4.11.

Inventor Knowledge Transfer An SBIR/STTR awardee that has been granted a nonexclusive, royalty-free evaluation license to use a NASA patent under the SBIR/STTR award may, if available and on a noninterference basis, also have access to NASA personnel knowledgeable about the NASA patent. Licensing executives located at the appropriate NASA field center will be available to assist awardees with this request; however, access to the inventor for the purpose of knowledge transfer will require the requestor to enter into a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) or other agreement, such as a Space Act Agreement. The awardee may also be required to reimburse NASA for knowledge transfer activities.

1.9 I-Corps™

NASA partners with the National Science Foundation (NSF) to give CCRPP awardees the opportunity to participate in the NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) program. I-Corps requires you to conduct customer discovery to learn your customers' needs, to obtain a better understanding of your company's value proposition, and to develop an outline of a business plan for moving forward. This training is designed to lower the market risk inherent in bringing a product or innovation to market, thereby improving the chances for a viable business. For more information on the NASA I- Corps program, visit the NASA SBIR/STTR website.

If you are selected for CCRPP contract negotiations, you will be provided the opportunity to opt into and participate in the NASA SBIR/STTR I-Corps program.

For CCRPP awardees the amount of funding is up to $30,000 to support participation in the I-Corps Program. I- Corps awards will be made separately with a modification with the CCRPP contract.

1.10 Small Business Administration (SBA) Applicant Resources

The SBA works with several local partners of various organizational types to train and support potential SBIR/STTR applicants around the country from application assistance to SAM registration, and commercialization support to industry connections. To find local assistance visit: https://www.sbir.gov/lab2market.

To find out more information on the specific types of SBA federal resources available, visit:

https://www.sbir.gov/apply.

1.11 NASA Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP)

The purpose of the NASA Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) is to provide incentives to NASA contractors, performing under at least one active approved subcontracting plan negotiated with NASA, to assist protégés in enhancing their capabilities to satisfy NASA and other contract and subcontract requirements. The NASA https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-48/chapter-18/subchapter-H/part-1852/subpart-1852.2/section-1852.227-88 http://technology.nasa.gov/ https://www.nsf.gov/ https://new.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/i-corps https://www.nasa.gov/sbir_sttr/icorps/ https://www.sbir.gov/lab2market https://www.sbir.gov/apply

MPP under the authority of 48 CFR Parts 1819 and 1852 and managed by the Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP), includes an Award Fee Pilot Program. Under the Award Fee Pilot Program, a mentor is eligible to receive an award fee at the end of the agreement period based upon the mentor’s performance of providing developmental assistance to an active SBIR/STTR CCRPP contractor in a NASA Mentor-Protégé Agreement (MPA). For more information on the Mentor-Protégé Program, please visit https://www.nasa.gov/osbp/mentor-protege-program/.

1.12 Fraud, Waste and Abuse and False Statements

Fraud is “any false representation about a material fact or any intentional deception designed to deprive the United States unlawfully of something of value or to secure from the United States a benefit, privilege, allowance, or consideration to which an individual or business is not entitled.”

NASA reserves the right to decline any application packages that include plagiarism and false claims.

Further, knowingly and willfully making any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations may be a felony under the Federal Criminal False Statement Act (18 U.S.C., section 1001), punishable by a fine and imprisonment of up to 5 years in prison. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has full access to all application packages submitted to NASA.

Pursuant to NASA policy, any company representative who observes crime, fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement or receives an allegation of crime, fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement from a federal employee, contractor, grantee, contractor, grantee employee, or any other source will report such observation or allegation to the OIG.

NASA contractor employees and other individuals are also encouraged to report crime, fraud, waste, and mismanagement in NASA's programs to the OIG. The OIG offers several ways to report a complaint:

NASA OIG Hotline: 1-800-424-9183 (TDD: 1-800-535-8134)

NASA OIG Cyber Hotline: https://oig.nasa.gov/hotline/

Or by mail:

NASA Office of Inspector General P.O. Box 23089 L'Enfant Plaza Station Washington, DC 20026

1.13 NASA Procurement Ombudsman Program

The NASA Procurement Ombudsman Program is available under this solicitation as a procedure for addressing concerns and disagreements concerning the terms of the solicitation, the processes used for evaluation of application packages, or any other aspect of the SBIR procurement. The clause at NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Supplement (NFS) 1852.215-84 (“Ombudsman”) is incorporated into this solicitation.

The cognizant ombudsman is:

Marvin Horne, Procurement Ombudsman Office of Procurement NASA Headquarters Washington, DC 20546-0001 Email: nhq-dl-op-comp-advocate-vendor-engagement@mail.nasa.gov

The ombudsman does not participate in any way with the evaluation of application packages, the source selection process, or the adjudication of formal contract disputes. Therefore, before consulting with the ombudsman, you must first address your concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the Contracting Officer for resolution.

The process set forth in this solicitation provision does not change your right to file a bid protest or the period in which to timely file a protest.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2009/05/29/E9-12487/nasa-mentor-protg-program https://www.nasa.gov/osbp/mentor-protege-program/ https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSC-2000-title18-section1001&num=0 https://oig.nasa.gov/ https://oig.nasa.gov/hotline/ https://www.nasa.gov/ombuds-office/ https://www.acquisition.gov/nfs/1852.215-84-ombudsman.

mailto:nhq-dl-op-comp-advocate-vendor-engagement@mail.nasa.gov

1.14 General Information

1.14.1 Questions About This Solicitation and Means of Contacting NASA SBIR/STTR Program To ensure fairness, NASA will not answer questions about the intent and/or content of research topic or technology subject matter in funding opportunity during the open submissions period unless part of a public question and answer opportunity.

If you have questions requesting clarification of application package instructions and administrative matters, refer to the NASA SBIR/STTR website or contact the NASA SBIR/STTR Help Desk.

Deadline for guaranteed response from the Help Desk: August 19, 2026, by 12:00 PM ET

1. NASA SBIR/STTR Website: https://www.nasa.gov/sbir_sttr/

2. Help Desk:

a. Email: agency-sbir@mail.nasa.gov

b. You must provide the name and telephone number of the person to contact, the organization name and address, and the specific questions or requests.

1.15 Definitions

NASA strongly encourages you to review the list of definitions available at https://www.nasa.gov/sbir_sttr/program-definitions/. These definitions include those from the combined SBIR/STTR Policy Directives as well as terms specific to NASA.

https://www.nasa.gov/sbir_sttr mailto:sbir@reisystems.com https://www.nasa.gov/sbir_sttr/program-definitions/ https://www.nasa.gov/sbir_sttr/program-definitions/ https://www.nasa.gov/sbir_sttr/program-definitions/

2 Registrations, Certifications and Other Information

2.1 Small Business Administration (SBA) Company Registry

You must register with SBA’s Company Registry and update your commercialization status. See https://app.www.sbir.gov/company-registration/overview . You must provide your unique SBC Control ID (assigned by SBA upon completion of the Company Registry registration) and upload a PDF copy of the SBA Company Registry registration with the Firm Certification Form.

2.2 System for Award Management (SAM) Registration

SAM, maintained by the GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service, is the primary repository for contractor information required to conduct business with NASA. To be registered in SAM, all mandatory information, including the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code, must be validated in SAM. You may obtain information on SAM registration and annual confirmation requirements at https://sam.gov/content/home or by calling 866-606-8220.

Per FAR 4.1102(a), you must be registered in SAM:

• At the time of application submission

• At the time of contract award

• During contract performance.

For more information, review the Federal Register (89 FR 89472 and 90 FR 38206).

To be eligible for CCRPP awards, you must have an active SAM registration under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541713 or 541715 as a small business at the time of award.

If you are not registered, apply for registration immediately upon receipt of this solicitation. Typically, SAM registration and updates to SAM registration take several weeks. In order to receive an SBIR/STTR award from NASA, purpose of registration must be listed as "All Awards" on your SAM Registration.

Note that your SAM registration Doing Business As (DBA) name will appear on all contract documents.

2.3 Certifications

You must complete the Firm and Application Certifications by answering “Yes” or “No” to certifications as applicable in the electronic submissions system. Carefully read each of the certification statements. The Federal Government relies on the information to determine whether you are eligible for a SBIR program award.

NASA uses a similar certification to ensure continued compliance with specific program requirements at time of award and at the time of final payment. The definitions for the terms used in this certification are set forth in the Small Business Act, SBA regulations (13 CFR Part 121), the SBIR/STTR Policy Directives, and any statutory and regulatory provisions referenced in those authorities.

If the Contracting Officer believes that you may not meet certain eligibility requirements for award, they may request you provide clarification or additional supporting documentation. If the Contracting Officer still believes you are not eligible, you must file a size protest with the SBA, who will determine eligibility.

2.3.1 Disclosures of Foreign Affiliation or Relationships to Foreign Countries You must complete the “Disclosures of Foreign Affiliations or Relationships to Foreign Countries” form as part of your application submission. Even if you do not have any foreign relationships, you must complete this form to represent that such relationships do not exist. If you do not submit this form, NASA will decline your application during the administrative screening process, and it will not be evaluated. Foreign involvement or investment does not independently disqualify your application but failing to disclose such affiliations or relationships may result in denial of an award.

https://app.www.sbir.gov/company-registration/overview https://sam.gov/content/home

The disclosures require the following information:

(A) the identity of all owners and covered individuals of the small business concern who are a party to any foreign talent recruitment program of any foreign country of concern, including the People’s Republic of China;

(B) the existence of any joint venture or subsidiary of the small business concern that is based in, funded by, or has a foreign affiliation with any foreign country of concern, including the People’s Republic of China;

(C) any current or pending contractual or financial obligation or other agreement specific to a business arrangement, or joint venture-like arrangement with an enterprise owned by a foreign state or any foreign entity;

(D) whether the small business concern is wholly owned in the People’s Republic of China or another foreign country of concern;

(E) the percentage, if any, of venture capital or institutional investment by an entity that has a general partner or individual holding a leadership role in such entity who has a foreign affiliation with any foreign country of concern, including the People’s Republic of China;

(F) any technology licensing or intellectual property sales to a foreign country of concern, including the People’s Republic of China, during the five-year period preceding submission of the application; and

(G) any foreign entity, offshore entity, or entity outside the United States related to the small business concern;

(H) the identity and relationship of all owners, officers, and covered individuals that have foreign affiliations with a research institution located in a foreign country of concern.

After reviewing the above listed disclosures, and if determined appropriate by NASA, the program may ask you clarifying questions related to your disclosures and/or to provide true copies of any contractual or financial obligation or other agreement specific to a business arrangement or joint venture-like arrangement with an enterprise owned by a foreign state or any foreign entity in effect during the five-year period before application submission.

For the purposes of the above disclosures, a “covered individual” means an individual who contributes in a substantive, meaningful way to the scientific development or execution of a research and development project proposed to be carried out or has access to, or could reasonably be considered to have access to, the technology development being proposed.

During award, updated disclosures must be provided within 30 days of any substantive changes to the project, to include any changes to a required disclosure.

2.4 Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and NASA Certifications and Clauses SAM contains required certifications that you may access at https://www.acquisition.gov/browsefar as part of the required registration (see FAR 4.1102 ). You must complete these certifications to be eligible for award. You must provide representations and certifications electronically via the website and update the representations and certifications as necessary, and at least annually, to keep them current, accurate, and complete. NASA will not enter any contract if you do not comply with these requirements.

In addition, you will need to be aware of the clauses that will be included in the contract if selected for a contract.

For a complete list of FAR and NASA clauses see the Appendix C of this solicitation.

2.5 Software Development Standards

If you are proposing projects involving the development of software, you may be required to comply with NASA Procedural Requirements (NPR) 7150.2D, NASA Software Engineering Requirements, available online at https://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/npg_img/N_PR_7150_002D_/N_PR_7150_002D__Preface.pdf.

2.6 Human and/or Animal Subject

NASA requires a protocol approved by a NASA review board if proposed work includes human or animal subjects.

Due to the complexity of the approval process, NASA does not allow use of human and/or animal subjects for Phase I projects. Reference 14 CFR 1230 and 1232.

https://www.acquisition.gov/browsefar https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-4#FAR_4_1102 https://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/npg_img/N_PR_7150_002D_/N_PR_7150_002D__Preface.pdf

2.7 Flight Safety Standards

If you are proposing projects involving the delivery of a spacecraft, you must comply with NASA Procedural Requirements (NPR) 8079.1, NASA Spacecraft Conjunction Analysis and Collision Avoidance for Space Environment Protection, available online at https://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/displayDir.cfm?t=NPR&c=8079&s=1.

2.8 Commercial Air Service and NASA Airworthiness Requirements All flight activities are subject to NASA STD 7919.1 - Commercial Air Service (CAS) Standard; NPR 7900.3D – Aircraft Operations Management; and Center-specific requirements, such as AFOP-7900.3-023 – Airworthiness & Flight Safety Review Process.

These review requirements may preclude SBIR/STTR Phase I flight activities due to their short contractual period, combined with ongoing NASA flight project reviews and staffing availability. As a result, flight activities planned for SBIR/STTR Phase II efforts and CCRPP efforts are much more realistic.

Any desired flight elements or flight activities under the SBIR/STTR program are encouraged to work with NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC) SBIR/STTR staff to initiate flight planning activities aboard NASA AFRC support aircraft. Additionally, integrating into the existing NASA AFRC flight planning and review process for flight on NASA AFRC aircraft expedites these requirements.

2.9 Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12)

If your project is selected for award and requires access to federally controlled facilities or access to a federal information system (as defined in FAR 2.101(b)(2)) for 6 consecutive months or more, you must apply for and receive appropriate Personal Identify Verification (PIV) credentials.

FAR clause 52.204-9, Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel, states in part that the contractor must ensure that individuals needing such access provide the personal background and biographical information requested by NASA. See https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/FIPS/NIST.FIPS.201-3.pdf.

https://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/displayDir.cfm?t=NPR&c=8079&s=1 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.204-9 https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/FIPS/NIST.FIPS.201-3.pdf

3 Application Preparation Instructions and Requirements

3.1 Requirements to Submit an Application Package

3.1.1 General Requirements

NASA will be using ProSAMS for the submission of these application packages. This solicitation guides firms through the steps for submitting a complete application package. All submissions will be completed through the secure electronic submissions tool. Most communication between NASA and the firm is through email. See section

6.1.1 for instructions on establishing…