RFI-WFF-South LaunchCapacity-2026.pdf

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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Development of Additional Launch Capacity on

South Wallops Island at Wallops Flight Facility

Notice ID: RFI-WFF-LaunchCapacity-2026

Due Date: October 30, 2026

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Issuing Agency/Office:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) / Wallops Flight Facility (WFF), an administratively assigned sub-set of Kennedy Space Center

Title:

Development of Additional Launch Capacity on South Wallops Island at Wallops Flight Facility

Location:

Wallops Island, Virginia

Introduction

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) provides access to NASA’s small-, medium-, and intermediate-class launch capabilities and is administratively assigned as a subset of the Kennedy Space Center. NASA is conducting market research to assess opportunities to expand launch infrastructure.

NASA seeks information from U.S. domestic entities regarding the potential development of additional launch facilities on approximately 150 acres on the south end of Wallops Island. This land is currently occupied by NASA’s suborbital programs, which would be relocated to Launch Area 3 to accommodate the expansion of launch capabilities. NASA will consider only uses aligned with Agency goals to expand orbital launch capacity while ensuring environmental protection and public safety.

The Virginia Spaceport Authority (VSA) currently leases 118 acres, shown in red in Exhibit A of this RFI. This RFI does not apply to the VSA leasehold but rather to the remaining NASA land on the south end of Wallops Island.

Purpose of this RFI

This RFI seeks to identify U.S. domestic entities interested in establishing payload processing capabilities on the North end of Wallops Island, Virginia. Responses will inform NASA’s strategic planning for future use of the property to increase orbital launch cadence. NASA intends to retain ownership of the land and may lease parcels for development, operation, and maintenance of launch infrastructure. 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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Information Sought

Respondents shall address these topics in a clear and comprehensive manner. Responses must address, at a minimum, the following:

1. Project Concept and Intended Use

Describe the proposed use of the land and general concept of operations. Explain how the proposal aligns with NASA’s goals for expanding orbital launch capacity as well as how it integrates with existing launch infrastructure.

2. Footprint and Land Requirements

Identify the acreage required, anticipated safety considerations, description of site development, and any expected future expansion needs.

3. Infrastructure needs

State planned requirements for electrical power, water, wastewater, communications, road access, fuel or propellant storage, and other utilities.

4. Operational Profile

Provide estimated launch frequency, expected on-site personnel, and any special safety or security requirements. Identify anticipated annual launch events, vehicle class and other operational details to help determine compatibility with existing infrastructure.

5. Background and Experience

Provide a general summary of relevant experience and highlight that which demonstrates the ability to construct, operate, and maintain launch infrastructure of similar scale or complexity. Respondents may also describe unique capabilities innovations, or operational approaches that could support NASA’s objective of increasing orbital launch capacity at WFF.

Response Instructions and Additional Information

U.S. entities, including commercial, federal, and state organizations, and United States Commercial Providers as defined in the Space Commerce Act, 51 U.S.C. § 50101(7), are invited to submit responses to this RFI.

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• Responses shall be submitted electronically in PDF format to Philip.H.Smith@nasa.gov and Christina.L.Williams@nasa.gov , include “RFI-WFF- LaunchCapacity-2026” in the subject line.

• Responses should not exceed ten (10) pages, use Times New Roman size 12 font, and be received no later than October 30, 2026.

Proprietary information should be clearly marked, and NASA will protect it to the extent permitted by law.

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 if clarification is required.

Additional Information:

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.

NASA will use the responses to define requirements and gauge market interest in using the land/facility/facilities mentioned herein and determine whether it is in the Government’s best interest to issue a competitive Announcement for Proposals (AFP).

NASA reserves the right to amend or withdraw this RFI at any time. NASA 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 WFF Points of Contact:

Partnerships and Facilities: Philip Smith, philip.h.smith@nasa.gov Launch Operations: Shad Combs, shad.k.combs@nasa.gov mailto:Philip.H.Smith@nasa.gov mailto:Christina.L.Williams@nasa.gov

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EXHIBIT A

GRAPHICAL DESCRIPTIONS

South Wallops Island

Figure 1:

NASA is soliciting interest in the use of approximately 150 acres, shown in light green.

The current VSA leasehold is depicted in beige between the green areas.