NASA - USSA - RFI - For Final Release.pdf

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 0

Request for Information | United States Space Academy

In response to Executive Order 14423, THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND

SPACE ADMINISTRATION’S

Office of Strategic Infrastructure Requests Information On

THE UNITED STATES

SPACE ACADEMY

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 1

Thursday, September 10, 2026

Title

Request for Information – Creation of the United States Space Academy

Issuing Agency / Office

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Office of Strategic Infrastructure

RFI Closes

October 26, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time

Contents

01 Background

02 Introduction

03 Definitions

04 Planning Assumptions

05 Response Instructions

05.A Location Plan – Permanent USSA Campus

05.B Interim Academic Instruction Plan for 2028

05.C Financial Capability – Cost and Partnership Interest

06 Response Content and Format

07 Review Process

08 Questions and NASA Responses

09 Confidentiality and Proprietary Information

10 Restrictions

11 Point of Contact

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Background

On Aug. 28, 2026, President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14423, Establishing the United States Space Academy. The Executive Order is available at WhiteHouse.gov.

America’s continued leadership in space will depend not only on the missions it launches and the technologies it builds but also on the strength, skill, character, and resolve of the people entrusted with carrying that work forward. As space becomes increasingly important to our national security, economic prosperity, scientific leadership, and technological strength, the United States must prepare a new generation of leaders to explore, build, operate, secure, and defend the space domain.

To answer that call, the United States Space Academy (USSA) is envisioned as a NASA-led, civilian Federal academic institution that combines rigorous technical education with disciplined leadership development, civic responsibility, and a lasting commitment to public service. The

Academy will prepare future scientists, engineers, astronauts, pilots, operators, entrepreneurs, civil servants, warfighters, and other leaders to advance American interests across the aerospace sector.

E.O. 14423 established the Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy, chaired by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, to advise and assist the President with establishing the

USSA. Among its responsibilities, the Commission will recommend a process for selecting the

Academy’s permanent physical location, consistent with the governance framework ultimately chosen for the institution.

The permanent home of the USSA must reflect the scale and importance of this national mission.

It must provide the institutional capacity, infrastructure, partnerships, security, and room for growth necessary to establish a world-class academy capable of serving the Nation for generations.

The campus should inspire excellence, strengthen America’s aerospace workforce, and visibly express the Nation’s determination to remain the world’s preeminent spacefaring power.

Through this Request for Information (RFI), NASA invites each State to present its strongest vision for hosting and supporting the USSA, from welcoming and educating its inaugural class to developing and sustaining a permanent campus worthy of NASA’s mission.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/08/establishing-the-united-states-space-academy/

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Introduction

Through this Request for Information (RFI), NASA invites each State to submit one official State-sponsored response prepared by a “Responding Entity” and coordinated and formally endorsed by a State Selecting Official. The Governor must designate both the Responding Entity and the State

Selecting Official in writing. The response should provide information to support NASA’s assessment of potential locations and operating solutions for the United States Space Academy

(USSA). That assessment will inform NASA’s recommendation to the Commission.

NASA’s objectives for this announcement are to:

• Identify potential locations for the permanent establishment of the USSA campus, including a groundbreaking no later than 2027.

• Identify interim solutions that may allow the USSA to begin instruction in 2028 and facilitate a smooth transition to a permanent campus by 2031.

• Explore the estimated costs of establishing the USSA and potential state, local, and other non-Federal partnerships that could support its establishment.

Information obtained through this RFI will be used by NASA and the Commission to develop the recommended process for selecting the Academy’s permanent physical location, which will be reported to the President for decision. A separate announcement for formal proposals may be issued at a later date.

Nature and Scope of the RFI

This RFI establishes the exclusive process through which an official State-sponsored response may be received and evaluated by NASA for presentation to the Commission. NASA will present its evaluation results for all responses to the Commission.

This RFI is not a procurement solicitation and will not directly result in the award of a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, lease, land transaction, or other Federal instrument. It does not obligate NASA, the Commission, the President, or the United States Government to select a proposal, reimburse any costs, enter into negotiations, or consummate any transaction. Any subsequent transaction will be subject to separate legal authority, approvals, negotiations, and procedures, as applicable.

NASA will accept and evaluate one (1) response per State. The response must represent that State’s final, integrated approach and proposed academy location(s). A response may include multiple parcels, interim facilities, or supporting consortium locations. Responses must include the

Governor’s written designation formally appointing the State’s Responding Entity, along with the

Responding Entity’s contact information.

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Definitions

State

Any State of the United States of America, as well as the District of Columbia, a

Commonwealth, or a U.S. territory or possession.

Responding Entity

A U.S. domestic entity designated in writing by the Governor of the State to submit the official State response to this RFI. A Responding Entity may partner with third parties, including State and local governments, educational institutions, private developers, philanthropic organizations, industry stakeholders, and/or other participants, and include contributions to be made by its partners as part of its submission.

State Selecting Official

The State official designated in writing by the Governor to coordinate and formally endorse the Responding Entity's response and, in the event of multiple responses from a State, to serve as the authoritative point of contact for resolving which response has the official endorsement of the State.

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Planning Assumptions

Initial Operations

The USSA intends to welcome an inaugural class of approximately 300 students for instruction beginning in 2028. Because the permanent campus may not yet be constructed or operational by that time and the USSA may not yet be accredited, opening the USSA will require an ambitious and coordinated interim operating model with the ability to scale as enrollment grows.

NASA anticipates this model may rely on one or more partner institutions, acting individually or as a consortium, to provide the facilities, services, and academic support necessary to deliver a rigorous and cohesive first-year experience, while maintaining a distinct USSA identity and governance.

Interim support may include:

• Classroom capacity and teaching staff for first-year science, engineering, mathematics, and general academic courses;

• Laboratory and technical-training access;

• Student housing, dining, transportation, and student-life facilities;

• Athletic and physical-fitness facilities and programs;

• Student services, healthcare support, libraries, and academic resources; and

• Administration, security, information technology, and other institutional support necessary to operate the Academy.

Permanent Operations

Responding Entities should assume that the permanent USSA campus will be ready to support

1,200 undergraduate students by the Fall 2031 academic term, will have a footprint of no less than

300 acres, and that a mature Academy will have space for future expansion to approximately 4,000 students. Responding Entities may propose a single parcel or a coordinated multi-parcel configuration but must explain how the proposed configuration would function as one coherent

Academy campus, adding to the value, not detracting from it.

The permanent campus is expected to include:

• Academic, administrative, engineering, science, and research facilities;

• Student residences, dining, student-life, healthcare, and institutional support facilities;

• Major sporting venues with accompanying athletic and physical-fitness facilities;

• Research, innovation, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, and information-technology facilities and infrastructure;

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• Leadership-development, ceremonial, formation, and indoor and outdoor experiential-learning spaces;

• Controlled access or secure technical facilities where appropriate; and

• Sufficient buffers from encroachment and capacity for significant future growth.

Response Instructions

Responding Entity Identification

Responding Entities must address the following topics in a clear and comprehensive manner:

• State and proposed Academy location(s);

• Name, legal status, and organizational affiliation of the Responding Entity with any proposed partner organizations;

• Governor's written designation of the Responding Entity and State Selecting Official;

• Name, title, organization, email address, and telephone number of the primary point of contact for the Responding Entity;

• Identification of other organizations and individuals that prepared or support the response;

and

• A summary, not exceeding 300 words, of the proposed location(s), 2028 operating approach, permanent-campus concept, and principal commitments.

All Responding Entities must also incorporate responses to the subtopics in Sections 05.A, 05.B, and 05.C within their response.

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05.A

Location Plan – Permanent USSA Campus

1. Proposed Land and Site Control

Responses must include the location and total acreage of the identified land and the location(s) and square footage of any existing buildings or facilities, if applicable.

Land and site-control information for a permanent USSA campus should include, as applicable:

a. Street address, geographic coordinates, jurisdiction, county, and State;

b. Total acreage, proposed expansion areas (as applicable), and whether the Responding

Entity recommends using a single site or multiple parcels;

c. Current ownership, estimated value, acquisition or conveyance cost if known, and any encumbrances, easements, leases, deed restrictions, reversionary interests, or other limitations (as applicable);

d. Recommended method and schedule for making the land available for the USSA;

e. Earliest estimated date the USSA could gain site access or control;

f. Any existing buildings, infrastructure, and current or planned occupants (as applicable);

and

g. Adjacent land compatibility with an institutional, residential, research, and controlled-access Federal campus.

NASA encourages Responding Entities to include conceptual site plans and architectural renderings, if possible.

2. Site Readiness and Infrastructure

Site readiness information for a permanent USSA campus should include, as applicable:

a. Existing electric service capacity and constraints;

b. Existing water supply, wastewater capacity, stormwater systems, and any drought, allocation, or treatment constraints;

c. Existing telecommunications, broadband, fiber capacity, and cybersecurity considerations;

d. Road access, proximity to major ground transportation, or needed improvements;

e. Demolition, remediation, drainage, and other significant site-preparation requirements;

and

f. Emergency services, healthcare access, continuity-of-operations capabilities, and security considerations.

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3. Environmental / Regulatory Considerations

Environmental and regulatory information for a permanent USSA campus should include, as applicable:

a. Any known environmental constraints, including wetlands, floodplains, protected species or habitat, historic or cultural resources, contamination, or other material considerations;

b. Any known natural-hazard, resilience, and continuity-of-operations considerations, including flooding, storm surge, severe storms, tornadoes, wildfire, seismic conditions, drought, extreme heat, and water availability; and

c. Any material Federal, State, or Tribal regulatory requirements that may apply, particularly any requirements that may delay NASA’s operational timeline.

4. Proximity and Supporting Ecosystem

Site context and proximity information for a permanent USSA campus should include, as applicable:

a. Proximity to an international airport;

b. Proximity to NASA facilities and/or other Federal facilities relevant to NASA's mission;

c. Proximity to supporting academic institutions capable of supporting the inaugural instruction plan starting in 2028;

d. Proximity to industry hubs tied to space, aeronautics, science, engineering, technology, manufacturing, or research relevant to the Academy's mission; and

e. Proximity to healthcare, public transportation, hospitality, and other capacity relevant to students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

05.B

Interim Academic Instruction Plan for 2028

1. Narrative of Credible 2028 Capacity

Responding Entities should describe plans for a credible pathway to support the inaugural class of approximately 300 students beginning in 2028, recognizing the USSA may not yet be accredited and its permanent campus may not be constructed or operational by that time. The proposed model may rely on one or more surrounding universities or institutions for academic instruction, laboratories, student services, housing, athletics, or other capabilities while maintaining a distinct

United States Space Academy identity and governance.

Responding Entities should describe to the best of their ability:

a. Institutions willing to support the USSA and the extent of their proposed support;

b. Proposed model for first-year instruction;

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c. Academic programs and courses that could support the inaugural class; and

d. Existing laboratory or technical training capabilities or plans for acquiring/leasing interim facilities.

2. Narrative of Cohesive and Distinct USSA Experience

Briefly describe how the proposed interim model would deliver a cohesive and distinct United

States Space Academy experience beginning in 2028.

a. Explain how the USSA experience will support a rigorous technical education, leadership development, discipline, and a durable commitment to public service.

b. Explain how the proposed interim model could support the development of a professional corps of civically grounded leaders prepared to advance American interests in aerospace.

c. Identify opportunities for research and development training programs.

3. Transition Plan to Permanent USSA Campus

Briefly describe how the proposed interim model would deliver a comprehensive and executable transition to the permanent United States Space Academy campus once it is available in 2031.

05.C

Financial Capability – Cost and Partnership Interest

Establishing and operating the USSA will require significant resources. To help NASA assess the feasibility and anticipated Federal cost of your proposed location, Responding Entities should provide the following information, to the extent currently known:

a. Provide a rough-order-of-magnitude estimate of the cost to establish the USSA at your proposed location(s).

b. Describe resources the Responding Entity, State and local governments, or partner organizations could provide to help establish and operate the USSA. These may include land, facilities, infrastructure, services, or other substantial support. For each major cost component, provide the following information, to the extent currently known:

1. The estimated cost or cost range and how it was calculated;

2. The anticipated level or value of State or partner resources available;

3. The current level of interest, planning, or authorization;

4. Any additional governmental action that would be required; and

5. When the proposed resources could become available.

NASA recognizes responses may reflect preliminary partnership concepts that remain subject to further development and governmental approval. This request seeks information for planning and

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 10 evaluation purposes only. NASA is not soliciting or accepting a gift through this RFI, and no response creates a binding commitment or obligates NASA or any respondent. Any future transfer, expenditure, conveyance, partnership, or other arrangement will require separate legal authority, approval, negotiation, and documentation.

Do not include general endorsements, routine vendor interest, ordinary commercial services, minor sponsorships, standard discounts, ceremonial support, or expressions of interest that would not meaningfully affect the feasibility, cost, schedule, or quality of the proposed approach.

Present the costs and material expressions of partnership interest in descending order of their anticipated value or importance to the proposed approach.

Response Content and Format

Responses must be submitted as a searchable, unlocked PDF file with the edit permission enabled.

Responses must comply with the following format and page limit requirements.

• Font shall be Times New Roman, size 12. Page size shall be 8.5 x 11 inches with one-inch margins. Text shall be single-spaced with double-spacing between paragraphs.

• Responses are limited to forty-seven (47) total pages. Additional information prepared by independent third parties, such as environmental assessments, maps, and conceptual site plans and architectural renderings, will not count against the total page limit. NASA may remove pages exceeding the page limit and may not evaluate any information from the excess pages. For responses that include multiple alternative locations, a separate document can be submitted for the alternate location(s), limited to twenty (20) total pages.

• All pages shall reference “NASA-USSA-RFI.”

• The requested information is considered essential for NASA to conduct a fair and uniform review of responses in accordance with the requirements provided in Sections 05 and 06.

• By submitting a response, each Responding Entity accepts all the terms and conditions set forth in this RFI. Modifications are not anticipated. NASA reserves the right, at any time, without notice, at its sole and absolute discretion to extend any deadline set forth in this

RFI or reject all responses and terminate the RFI process, in whole or in part.

• Following the Responding Entity Identification information required in Section 05, the substantive response shall be divided into three sections: (1) Location Plan – Permanent

USSA Campus, (2) Interim Academic Instruction Plan for 2028, and (3) Financial

Capability – Cost and Partnership Interest.

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Review Process

NASA’s review will be based solely on the content of the information contained in the responses.

Information communicated to NASA outside of the RFI process will not be considered in the initial review of the responses. Following the submission deadline, NASA anticipates conducting a review that will consist of ensuring each submission is complete and adheres to the requirements and conditions set out in this RFI. If a response does not comply with the terms of this RFI or does not meet the eligibility requirements, NASA reserves the right to decline to review the response.

For all eligible responses that comply with the terms of the RFI, NASA will consider how likely a response is to enable the effective and efficient creation of the USSA and rank responses accordingly. Final rankings, along with any notable observations, will be provided to the

Commission for its consideration.

NASA reserves the right to request additional information from any or all of the Responding

Entities throughout the review process, as needed.

If NASA determines in its discretion that additional communication with Responding Entities is needed as part of its ongoing market research, it will contact those parties via teleconferences and/or email. NASA further reserves the right to conduct site visits to some or all of the locations, at its sole discretion, as part of its research. Updated responses may be requested at the conclusion of the review period.

NASA will present the results of its review to the Commission. The Commission will consider the results of NASA’s review but is not bound by NASA’s findings or recommendations when making its recommendations to the President. The Commission reserves the right to conduct site visits or undertake additional due diligence with all or some of the Responding Entities at its sole discretion.

The U.S. Government reserves the right not to make any recommendation based on information received through this RFI.

Submission Deadline

Responses must be emailed as a PDF to HQ-NASA-USSA@mail.nasa.gov and received no later than October 26, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time.

To ensure timely delivery, the Responding Entity is encouraged to submit its response at least 24 hours prior to the due date specified. The electronic submission of the response shall contain all information required by this RFI to be determined responsive. All responses received on time will be acknowledged. Responses received by NASA after the due date and time will not be accepted.

Responses that do not meet eligibility, page limit, line spacing, font size and other administrative requirements as listed in this RFI may be eliminated without review. Hard copies will not be accepted.

mailto:HQ-NASA-USSA@mail.nasa.gov

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Responses to this RFI will not be returned. NASA may retain responses, as needed, to fulfill legal or administrative requirements in connection with the RFI. Participation in the RFI is voluntary.

NASA will not reimburse any costs associated with response development.

Material Developments and Supplemental Submissions

After the response deadline, Responding Entities must not submit unsolicited revisions or supplemental materials unless requested or authorized in writing by NASA. However, a

Responding Entity may provide NASA with a brief written notice identifying a potentially material development that was not reasonably available for inclusion in its original response. Such notice must not constitute a revised response and should contain only the information necessary for

NASA to determine whether further consideration is warranted.

Material developments may include, but are not limited to, new or materially increased State, local, private, or institutional financial commitments; changes in the availability or control of proposed land; newly enacted legislation or appropriations; new infrastructure commitments; or new binding commitments from participating academic institutions.

Upon receiving such notice, or on its own initiative, NASA may, with authorization from the

Commission, request supporting documentation; request limited updated information from one or more Responding Entities; or establish a uniform, time-limited supplemental submission window under written terms applicable to all eligible respondents. NASA may consider, decline to consider, or assign such weight as it determines appropriate to any updated information. No Responding

Entity has a right to revise its response, and NASA is not obligated to reopen or extend the submission period.

Questions and NASA Responses

Questions concerning this RFI process must be submitted in writing to HQ-NASA-

USSA@mail.nasa.gov. A list of answers to recurring questions received may be posted on

SAM.gov. The subject line for all questions shall reference “NASA-USSA-RFI.” NASA may consolidate similar questions and edit questions to remove identifying or proprietary information.

NASA reserves the right to host a State Information Session related to this RFI. In the event NASA elects to host a State Information Session, this RFI will be amended to include instructions.

This mailbox will be monitored only for (1) questions concerning the RFI submission process; and

(2) official responses and related communications from a State’s Governor-designated Responding

Entity or State Selecting Official.

mailto:HQ-NASA-USSA@mail.nasa.gov http://www.sam.gov/

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Confidentiality and Proprietary Information

Responding Entities should avoid including Proprietary Data or information that is export-controlled, classified, or otherwise restricted unless necessary to support the response. Any such information must be clearly marked on each affected page and identified in the response's cover letter. Proprietary Data means data embodying trade secrets developed at private expense or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential and that includes a restrictive notice, unless the data is known or available from other sources without restriction; known, possessed, or developed independently and without reference to the proprietary data; made available by the owners to others without restriction; or required by law or court order to be disclosed. NASA will handle submitted information in accordance with applicable law and regulation. NASA cannot guarantee information will be exempt from disclosure merely because a respondent labels it proprietary or confidential. Responding Entities are responsible for ensuring they have authority to submit all information included in their response.

Restrictions

The following persons (including entities) are ineligible to be a Responding Entity or otherwise participate in the project (including as a contractor, subcontractor, or professional): (a) any person/entity that has been debarred or suspended from doing business with the Federal government; (b) any person/entity or its partners, members, or principal stockholders listed on any non-procurement or reciprocal lists on the most current “System for Award Management” published by the U.S. General Services Administration at SAM.gov, as updated from time to time, or any replacement thereof; (c) any person or its partners, members, or principal stockholders who pose a security or safety risk as determined by the Secretary of State, including, but not limited to, any person who either represents a country or is a member of or provides political, financial or military support to a group that is listed in the most current “Country Reports on Terrorism” report, issued by the Secretary of State in compliance with 22 U.S.C. § 2656f(a), available from the

Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Publishing Office, Washington, DC 20402 and at https://www.state.gov/country-reports-on-terrorism-2/; and (d) any person or its partners, members, or principal stockholders subject to a criminal indictment or information for a felony in any court in the United States. For purposes of this RFI, the term “principal stockholder” shall mean any person who is a beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of ten percent (10%) or more of the outstanding stock or other equity of the Responding Entity.

Responding Entities also must comply with all applicable U.S. export control and sanctions requirements, including restrictions under the Wolf Amendment, and ensure they are not prohibited from participation under U.S. export, sanctions, or restricted-party laws.

http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.state.gov/country-reports-on-terrorism-2/

Point of Contact

The NASA Office of Strategic Infrastructure is the designated point of contact for this RFI and can be reached at HQ-NASA-USSA@mail.nasa.gov.

This mailbox will only be monitored for:

1. Questions concerning the RFI submission process; and

2. Official responses and related communications from a State’s Governor-designated

Responding Entity or State Selecting Official.

Substantive information intended to support a State’s proposed location(s) must be submitted through that State’s Governor-designated Responding Entity or State Selecting Official.