RFI-KSC-ResearchCollaboration-2026.pdf

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

AGENCY REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

KSC Research and Collaboration

Notice ID: RFI-KSC-ResearchCollaboration-2026

Due Date: November 20, 2026

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Table of Contents

Title

Issuing Agency/Office

RFI Closes

Introduction

Purpose of this RFI

Information Sought

RFI Response Instructions

Additional Information

NASA Point(s) of Contact

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Title Request for Information – Potential Research and Technology Partnership Opportunities

Issuing Agency/Office National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Spaceport Development Division, John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC)

RFI Closes November 20, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Introduction

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is the world’s premier spaceport. The KSC Master Plan (https://masterplan.ksc.nasa.gov/) addresses both U.S. Government and commercial launch activities at KSC. Periodically, the KSC Spaceport Development Division conducts market research to seek industry interest on specific aspects of the KSC Master Plan.

The KSC Research and Technology (R&T) vision is to establish KSC as a leading hub for space technology innovation to align with the NASA Human Space Mission Directorate (HSMD) Artemis Mission. Central to this vision is the expansion of partnerships with academia, private industry, and other government agencies, particularly with institutions whose technical expertise complements KSC’s existing capabilities. Through these collaborations, KSC aims to diversity its user base, enhance competitiveness, broaden research avenues, and cultivate environments that accelerate technological innovation and advancement in a rapidly evolving landscape.

NASA is interested in potential partnerships that foster innovation, enhance research capabilities, support the broader scientific and engineering community, and provide local economic growth.

Purpose of this RFI

This RFI seeks to identify entities interested in collaborating with KSC’s research community through potential agreements geared toward advanced research and technology. NASA will only consider arrangements that are in line with its goals to expand mission support while ensuring environmental protection and public safety. The information NASA receives in response to this RFI will inform future opportunities to share expertise and capabilities that are in alignment or complementary to NASA’s mission objectives.

Eligible respondents include U.S. Federal and State governmental entities and U.S. Commercial Providers as defined in the Space Commerce Act (51 U.S.C. § 50101(7)). All users must comply with NASA policies related to access, security, and facility utilization.

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KSC is looking for potential partners who have experience in the KSC R&T topics below:

Table 1. KSC R&T Priorities

KSC R&T Topic Description

Crop Production/Management Advanced crop production technologies with optimized habitat design to ensure a sustainable, efficient, and resource-conscious food supply for deep space exploration. This includes hydroponic and aeroponic systems, cellular agriculture, and 3D hardware printing.

Dust Mitigation Development of advanced technologies to remove or repel planetary dust from surface infrastructure, including solar panels, optical systems, and spacesuit materials. These technologies help to ensure performance, longevity, and reliability.

In-Situ Resource Utilization

(ISRU)

Development of technologies for identifying and extracting volatile resources from regolith to produce mission-critical resources such as oxygen, metals, and water.

In-Space and Surface Systems Technologies for surface excavation, construction, and infrastructure development on non-terrestrial bodies such as the Moon and Mars. Includes fluid measurement, transfer, and storage in microgravity, robotics automation, and systems for lunar sustainability and long-term exploration.

Ground Systems Technologies for safety systems, cryogenic storage and transfer, and ground operations to enhance launch efficiency and reliability. Focuses on reducing operational timelines, improving maintenance planning, and minimizing safety risks through intelligent sequencing and system troubleshooting.

Scientific Instruments for Exploration

Development of technologies for prospecting, volatile analysis, plume surface interaction mitigation, and operations in extreme environments to enable exploration and resource characterization on non-terrestrial surfaces. KSC specializes in modifying commercially available sensors and components for spaceflight.

Waste Management/Logistics Reduction

Technologies to enhance ground and spaceflight support systems through advanced logistics solutions, including high temperature reactor conversion, recycling techniques, and feedstock alternative reduction methods to reduce waste and improve resource efficiency.

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Information Sought

Responses to this RFI shall address the following KSC R&T topics, as applicable:

Table 2. Response Template

KSC R&T Topic <Institution Name> Relevant Experience and Resources

Crop Production/Management

Dust Mitigation

In-Situ Resource Utilization

(ISRU)

In-Space and Surface Systems

Ground Systems

Scientific Instruments for Exploration

Waste Management/Logistics Reduction

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RFI Response Instructions

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 twenty (20) total pages.

Responses shall reference “RFI-KSC-ResearchCollaboration-2026” in the subject line.

To ensure timely delivery, submit responses 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. Hard copies will not be accepted.

It is not NASA’s intent to publicly disclose responses or proprietary information obtained through this RFI. Any Proprietary Data must be clearly marked. For purposes of this RFI, “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.

Additional Information

NASA does not intend to reply to individual responses, but reserves the right to conduct additional market research, which may include later communications with respondents. NASA will not provide information concerning or developed in the course of its deliberative process.

NASA requests this information for planning purposes only. This RFI does not constitute a Request for Proposals, Invitation for Bids, Request for Quotations, or Announcement for Proposals. This RFI is not an offer or commitment by the Government to enter into a contract or other type of agreement. Moreover, the Government will not pay for the information submitted in response to this RFI, nor will the Government reimburse respondents for costs incurred to prepare responses to this RFI.

Information obtained through this RFI will be used by NASA to define requirements and gauge market interest in using the labs, sites, and facilities mentioned herein. A separate announcement for formal proposals may be issued at a later date.

Submission Deadline

Responses must be emailed as a PDF file to Christina.L.Williams@nasa.gov and received no later than November 20, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

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NASA reserves the right to amend or withdraw this RFI at any time. NASA KSC seeks to ensure broad awareness and visibility of this RFI; however, it is each respondent’s responsibility to monitor the SAM.gov website for additional information or amendments.

NASA Point(s) of Contact

Center POC, Strategic Partnerships: Christy Williams, Christina.L.Williams@nasa.gov

Technical POC, Research & University Relations: Kathy Loftin, Kathleen.B.Loftin@nasa.gov