NASA SCaN Programs Near Earth Space Relay Industry Day_NEXUS Presentation_20260514.pdf

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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Network Extension for User Continuity and Sustainability (NEXUS)

NASA’s Near-Earth Space Relay Industry Day

May 14, 2026 MSFC-NEXUS@mail.nasa.gov

NASA is continuing to evolve the NEXUS TDRS-BC requirements.

Only the information in the final solicitation is binding. All interested offerors are cautioned to thoroughly review the final solicitation for changes. The content of this briefing is non-binding on the Government and subject to change in the final solicitation mailto:MSFC-NEXUS@mail.nasa.gov mailto:MSFC-NEXUS@mail.nasa.gov mailto:MSFC-NEXUS@mail.nasa.gov

NextSTEP-3, Appendix E: NEXUS Ka-Band Backward- Compatible Relay Acquisition Status

• Objective: NASA’s objective with this draft solicitation is to procure capability development and in-flight relay capability demonstration.

• Capability: End-to-end Ka-band bent pipe relay capability, including space, ground, launch, integration, and operations elements, that is backward compatible with legacy TDRS users.

• Technology developed under this BAA could potentially be placed into, or inform, a future operational service model for at least 15 years post-capability(s) demonstration.

• Status:

Presolicitation Notification/Synopsis released March 23, 2026 (included Draft SOO Attachment) Draft Service Requirements Document (SRD) released March 25, 2026 Draft Solicitation Package released April 9, 2026 Draft Solicitation Industry Day conducted April 14, 2026 Contractor Site Visits and 1:1 engagements conducted April 15, 2026 – April 29, 2026

• Final Solicitation release is anticipated May 29 - June 8, 2026

• Proposal due date is anticipated June 26 - July 7, 2026

• Award is anticipated before September 30, 2026SA is continuing to evolve the NEXUS d Only the information in the final solicitation is binding. Interested offerors must thoroughly review the final solicitation for content changes. The content of this briefing is non-binding on the Government and is subject to change in the final solicitation

Changes anticipated from draft solicitation Statement of Objectives (SoO) / Service Requirements Document (SRD)

• Adjusted service volume altitude from 1500km to 900km

• NASA will provide all coordination with users, as needed, not industry requirement

• Added a new figure to illustrate the service volume latitude and altitude

• Added flexibility/clarification to allow for architectural diversity

• Added flexibility/clarification to improve demonstration expectations

• Coverage criteria, approach, timing, etc.

• Clarifications throughout the SOO and SRD, include, but are not limited to:

• Cryptography details added

• Contact durations details added

• Infrastructure and routing constraints details

• Clarity / definition of the 10-degree elevation angle constraint

Only the information in the final solicitation is binding. Interested offerors must thoroughly review the final solicitation for content changes.

The content of this briefing is non-binding on the Government and is subject to change in the final solicitation

Changes anticipated from draft solicitation Appendix E Solicitation

• Proposal Instructions:

• Added clarification: Contractor is required to propose its Statement of Work for each

CLIN which should consider the SOO and SRD.

• Intellectual Property content will be addressed within the Management Volume

• Corporate contribution content will be addressed under the Price Volume

• Anticipated page count reductions:

• Technical Volume: ~60

• Management Volume: ~50

Page numbers are a not to exceed amount

• Clarification throughout Evaluation Criteria, include but not limited to:

• Past performance will be assessed for recent relevant private industry, and government, contracts

• Updates to Technical Evaluation Criteria Only the information in the final solicitation is binding. Interested offerors must thoroughly review the final solicitation for content changes.

The content of this briefing is non-binding on the Government and is subject to change in the final solicitation

Closing Comments Thank you for all the great draft solicitation feedback!

• Ka Band for space and research will not be opened up outside of Government

• Considerable updates have been made to incorporate industry feedback.

• All announcements and updates will be posted on SAM.gov, and reciprocated on the NextSTEP website.

• No electronic communications will be conducted outside of SAM.gov regarding the status or planning of this solicitation.

• Communications must adhere to the instructions setforth on SAM.gov or in the released documentation.

• Issues with SAM.gov access, questions about navigating the SAM.gov website, or questions about document access in SAM.gov should be directed to SAM.gov.

(https://sam.gov/about/contact)

Only the information in the final solicitation is binding. Interested offerors must thoroughly review the final solicitation for content changes.

The content of this briefing is non-binding on the Government and is subject to change in the final solicitation https://sam.gov/about/contact