QA for USSA.pdf

Q&A for NASA-USSA-RFI 25 September 2026

Q1: Can NASA-owned land at a NASA center be the proposed permanent campus?

A1: Yes, the response can include NASA-owned land as part of the proposed permanent campus.

Q2: How should “site control” be demonstrated for federal land?

A2: For “site control,” please provide any information you have about the property’s ownership, suitability, and how it could be made available. In your response, be sure to identify questions that remain unknown.

NASA centers can answer general questions about the land, facilities, footprint, and access. If the center agrees to the State’s plan to site USSA on federal property, the center will be able to provide a letter of support for the subject land. However, no land or property agreements, partnerships, Space Act Agreements, or other binding commitments will be executed as part of the RFI response process, nor will the centers provide any endorsement or promotion (i.e. social-media statements) in your state’s favor. A letter of support does not represent a binding legal commitment.

Q3: A NASA Center is oƯering land through Enhanced Use Lease, how would that apply to a NASA-led Academy?

A3: If your response includes land listed for Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) opportunities at a NASA Center, include that in your response and explain how it could support the Academy.

As described above, centers may share information about the property and existing EUL opportunities but cannot commit land or endorse a State’s proposal during the RFI process. You do not need to resolve the specific lease or ownership arrangement at this stage. During its review, NASA would work with the relevant Center to determine the appropriate arrangement and any approvals needed

Q4: May a single response present a primary site and a coordinated operations site, or must the second site go in the 20-page alternate document?

A4: Yes, a primary site and a coordinated operations site can be included in a single response if they are part of one overall campus plan. Explain how the sites would work together to support the Academy.

The separate 20-page document is intended for alternative “Option B” locations within the State, rather than a supporting site within your primary campus.

Q5: How should NEPA and other federal reviews be treated in the schedule for a groundbreaking no later than 2027?

A5: NASA recognizes that NEPA and other federal reviews will need to be accounted for in the construction schedule. Please identify any reviews you anticipate, estimate how long they may take, and explain how they could aƯect the goal of breaking ground no later than 2027. Where timing is uncertain, provide your best estimate.

Q6: Regarding Section #6 - The "Response Content" and "Format" limits responses to 47 pages but allows additional information, such as “environmental assessments, maps and conceptual plans and architectural renderings,” to be prepared by independent/third parties as exempt from the page count. These "assessments, maps, and renderings" are highly relevant to 'Section 5.A' requirements. As such, can you please confirm whether it is intended to exempt all independent third-party materials from the page count?

A6: It is not the intent to exempt all third-party materials from the page count. The page count limits apply to the content the Responding Entity wishes to be considered for review by NASA. While the focus of the page limit is generally related to the narrative response, the narrative section may also include some graphics, pictures, conceptual renderings, etc. NASA is allowing for additional, supporting documents to be shared as part of the response as exhibits or attachments which can be referenced in the primary response.

Q7: Please clarify the definition of “independent third party.” (for example, are consultants hired by the State to produce such materials defined as “independent” from the respondent?

A7: For the purpose of this RFI, an Independent third party is defined as any entity other than the State or their Responding Entity as explicitly defined in the RFI.

Q8: Regarding Section #5 - The "Financial Capability" section asks to “describe resources the 'Responding Entity'...could provide to help establish and operate the USSA.” Then, later in that Section, the RFI states “NASA is not soliciting or accepting a gift through this RFI.” So, can you provide clarity as these two sentences seem to contradict each other?

A8: This section of the RFI is intended to be used for planning purposes and is not to be interpreted as a solicitation or acceptance of gifts from the State or Responding Entity.

NASA would like to understand the estimated total cost of the project in each response, and the estimated cost to the government. NASA would also like to understand what partnership opportunities may be available through the Responding Entity to facilitate establishment and operation of the USSA.

Q9: Can you confirm that the "Responding Entity" information (Page #6, Section #5) is excluded from the 47-page count?

A9: Any information that pertains directly to the project, such as Responding Entity information and location, would also need to be included in the 47-page response.

Q10: Would NASA consider the use of 11X17 page size or larger in the "Additional Information" section to allow us to fully share the details of renderings?

A10: The 8.5 x 11 inch requirement applies to the narrative content of the response.

Additional information can be submitted in an appropriate size.

Q11: Can you confirm whether the "Additional Information" section should be submitted as a searchable, unlocked PDF with the 'edit' permission enabled?

A11: All information should be provided as searchable. Additional information does not need to have edit permissions.

Q12: Can you confirm that there are no font restrictions in the "Additional Information" section?

A12: There are no font restrictions for additional information.

Q13: Regarding fonts:

Can a smaller font be used in graphics?

Can diƯerent fonts be used for graphics?

Can a diƯerent font be used in headings as long as the content remains clear, legible, and professional in appearance?

A13: Font in Times New Roman, size 12 is applicable to the narrative response. Graphics may use diƯerent/smaller fonts. Headings can use diƯerent fonts and size but will be part of the page count limitation.