NASA UNNO Industry Day.pptx
PPTX presentation 12 MB Posted
- Solicitation number
- SCAN-MSFC-0002
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This is a presentation from the NASA Unified Network and Navigation Operations (UNNO) Industry Day held on August 7, 2026, providing market research on an emerging Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program contract opportunity.
NASA is consolidating its Near Space Network (NSN) and Deep Space Network (DSN) operations into a single integrated contract called UNNO to implement a "One Network" philosophy. The scope encompasses operations and maintenance of global communications and navigation infrastructure supporting NASA missions, including 24/7 network operations across multiple facilities (Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in California, White Sands Complex in New Mexico, Wallops in Virginia, McMurdo in Antarctica, and other remote stations), the TDRS constellation in geosynchronous orbit, and direct-to-Earth telemetry services. The contract will be structured as a hybrid Firm Fixed Price (FFP)/Cost-Plus Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) with two categories: Category 1 for stable Operation and Maintenance work using FFP task orders, and Category 2 for Development and Modernization using cost-plus or FFP as appropriate with competition among multiple contract holders. Representative functions include 24/7 operations, hardware and software maintenance, systems integration and testing, facilities management, training, cybersecurity, spectrum management, mission integration, and spacecraft engineering support. Performance requirements include service availability of 97-99% for NSN and 95-98% for DSN depending on service type. The RFI was released July 15, 2026, with responses due August 15, 2026, site visits scheduled for September-October 2026, draft RFP release targeted for October 30, 2026, and proposals due in March 2027. Points of contact include Contracting Officer Benjamin Kamp (benjamin.m.kamp@nasa.gov), Project Manager Davey Jones (davey.jones@nasa.gov), and Requirements Development Lead Shane Canerday (shane.a.canerday@nasa.gov).
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UNNO Industry Day 07 Aug 2026
SCaN Space Communications and Navigation Exploration, enabled.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
UNNO Industry Day Agenda
| Time | Session | Lead |
| 9:05 – 9: 10 | Welcome | Davey Jones |
| 9:00 – 9:05 | Purpose & Ground Rules | Ben Kamp |
| 9:05 – 9:15 | SCaN Program Welcome | Jena Garrahy |
| 9:15 – 9:35 | UNNO Overview | Davey Jones |
| 9:35 – 10:15 | Scope Overview | Shane Canerday |
| 10:15 – 10:35 | Facilitated Q&A | |
| 10:35 – 10:45 | Break | |
| 10:45 – 11:25 | Acquisition Approach | Ben Kamp |
| 11:25 – 11:45 | Facilitated Q&A | |
| 11:45 – 12:00 | Closing Remarks and Next Steps | Davey Jones |
Pre-decisional — for market research purposes only. This is not a solicitation.
Purpose and Ground Rules Industry Day is a pre-solicitation exchange technique under FAR 15.201(c) and supports market research under FAR 10.001 and 10.002 This is not a solicitation. No contract will be awarded from today or from RFI responses, and NASA will not reimburse response preparation costs — FAR 15.201(e) The acquisition approach is pre-decisional. Nothing presented today constitutes a Government decision on structure, contract type, or award approach NASA is also offering one-on-one sessions —Participation is voluntary and confers no advantage All charts, the question-and-answer record, and any acquisition information provided in one-on-one sessions will be posted to SAM.gov so every interested party has equal access — FAR 15.201(f) Procurement integrity requirements apply to all exchanges — FAR 3.104
Space Communications and Navigation Program Overview Jena Garrahy SCaN Deputy Program Manager, Operations
The SCaN Program operates and manages the crucial communications and navigation systems for NASA missions.
From missions exploring beyond our solar system, to astronauts onboard the International Space Station, space communications provide the connection to Earth.
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
Autonomous Navigation (AutoNGC) GPS at the Moon (Lunar mGNSS) Laser / Optical Communications (O2O) Lunar Networking & Nav (LunaNet; Lunar 3GPP; LSP) Service Roaming - Wideband (PExT) On-the-Move Communications (KaSTLE)
SCaN: Enabling Science & Exploration
OPERATIONAL NETWORKS
Near Space Network (NSN) Deep Space Network (DSN)
ENHANCEMENTS & CAPABILITIES
Antenna Enhancement (DAEP) Lunar Relays (LCRNS) Commercial Relays (CSP) Lunar Ground Segment (NSNS; LEGS; DLEU) Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN) Cloud Storage & Services (Daphne+)
SCaN is evolving NASA’s architecture to provide more robust, cost-effective services to missions.
MOON
MARS
ORBITAL OBSERVABILITY
MOON BASE INFRASTRUCTURE
Surface Observability PNT, Navigation, Atomic Clocks Surface 3GPP Lunar GNSS Receiver Experiment (LuGRE) - tracked GPS & Galileo at 225,000 miles on lunar surface Lunar Commercial Relay Constellation #2 Communications
PNT
Observation 24/7 Southern Hemispheric RF Surface Imaging Space Weather Widefield SSA
DSOC/PSYCHE
-Optical User Terminal (307-million miles) Artemis Orion O2O Optical Demo
Deep Space Network (DSN) with StarShield (~10 arcsecond pointing accuracy) Near Space Network (NSN) Ground Segment Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) – 20m lunar class antennas
TDRSS
Ground Segment Optical Ground Segment Lunar Data Management
MTN
Constellations
Low Orbit Relay Orbiter Science / Relay Orbiter
NEXUS (Network Extension for User Continuity and Sustainability)
To Earth Receiver
TDRSS Comms Network
StarShield
CSP Providers (7)
PExT Demo
Commercial Ground Providers
EARTH
EARTH: GROUND ASSETS
Lunar Commercial Relay Constellation #1 Communications
PNT
Observation
NASA SCaN Evolving Architecture
Communications and Navigation Integral to Mission Success
NASA’s reliable networks have enabled key exploration and scientific milestones for over six decades.
NASA evolves comm and nav technologies to expand the mission capabilities.
NASA partners with industry to maximize service, support, and stimulate the space economy.
UNNO Overview Davey Jones
SCaN Space Communications and Navigation Exploration, enabled.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Why Now? – UNNO Primary Drivers UNNO is the contractual mechanism to implement One Network SCaN has committed to One Network. NASA currently manages NSN and DSN through separate contracts with uneven site-level constructs. The management model has to follow the operational model.
Strategic Direction Fixed-price, performance-based contracting is the preferred method of procurement. Current legacy contracts are cost-type. That gap must be closed deliberately, not incidentally.
Executive Order 14402 The two contracts supporting DSN and NSN reach the end of their periods of performance. Recompeting them separately would lock in the current fragmentation for another contract cycle.
Legacy Contract Expirations
Pre-decisional — for market research purposes only. This is not a solicitation.
One Network Requires One Acquisition Framework Standardize service delivery, industrial safety, sustainment, engineering integration, reporting, cybersecurity, and performance oversight across sites.
Improve cost visibility and control through a common framework for measuring services, outcomes, and expenditures.
Reduce contractual disconnects between sites, functions, and mission support that increase management complexity today.
Current State Multiple contracts across NSN and DSN Inconsistent approaches across sites Uneven governance and reporting Limited enterprise cost control Fragmented accountability UNNO Shift One acquisition construct One common management framework Standardized expectations Better enterprise integration Improved visibility and control One Network Outcome Consistent cross-site management Common cost and performance framework Stronger enterprise accountability Modernization planned within one framework, not layered onto legacy fragments
Two cost-type contracts currently support these efforts.
Both will be replaced under the UNNO construct.
UNNO Goals & Objectives
| Goal | What It Means | How We Would Know |
| 1. Mission continuity | Services do not degrade — during transition or in steady state. Includes readiness to support Artemis and other critical events | Availability and proficiency standards sustained without interruption through transition; no mission impact attributable to the change |
| 2. One experience for the mission | A mission should not have to learn two networks. Standardized interfaces, protocols, scheduling, and onboarding regardless of where it flies | A single onboarding path and common interface documentation; missions no longer navigate parallel constructs |
| 3. Lower and more predictable cost | Reduce cost through common systems, tools, and processes — and make what remains predictable, consistent with EO 14402 | Fixed price for stable recurring work; enterprise cost visibility across the network rather than per network |
| 4. Manage as an integrated whole | Enterprise coordination, consistent governance, and clear accountability across sites and functions | Key performance indicators tracked across the integrated network; consistent reporting and one accountable performer for O&M |
| 5. Improve, not just sustain | The contractor is chartered to bring forward ideas — automation, digitalization, and better methods — not only to execute the baseline | Demonstrated improvement in reliability, cycle time, or cost; new missions, providers, and services integrated without bespoke effort |
UNNO exists to deliver reliable, efficient, secure, and innovative communication and navigation services — managed as one network rather than two.
Unified Network Management Operations & Maintenance Development & Modernization Elements Delivering These Goals
Known Challenges
| Challenge | Why It Is Hard |
| Moving from cost-plus award fee to a hybrid FFP/cost structure | Risk allocation changes materially. Both parties need confidence that the work is definable enough to price |
| Requirements definition at sufficient detail to support FFP | Operations work that has been managed on a cost basis for years is not always documented to the level fixed pricing requires |
| Decomposing the SOW into performance work statements at task order level | Success depends on disciplined requirement decomposition and well-constructed service measures |
| Redesigning incentives | Shifting incentive structure from Award fee motivation to performance-based metrics with monetary incentive. |
| Executing a multi-partner environment | One O&M performer and multiple development performers must interoperate and exchange data reliably |
| Transition without service disruption | Two networks, geographically distributed, operating continuously, with certification and clearance dependencies |
Our open challenges map directly to the industry inputs we’re seeking, ensuring feedback informs gaps, risks, and solution paths.
UNNO Scope Overview Shane Canerday
SCaN Space Communications and Navigation Exploration, enabled.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Scope at a Glance
| SOW Area | What It Covers |
| General Requirements | Requirements framework and service performance standards applied across the network |
| Management | Program management, mission assurance, industrial safety and EHS, security, and cybersecurity |
| Unified Network Management | Evolution and standardization, continuous improvement, integration, KPI tracking, enterprise coordination |
| Operations & Maintenance | Operations, COOP, maintenance, recurring sustaining engineering, facilities, logistics, spectrum |
| Development & Modernization | Systems architecture and engineering, special studies and MI&SS, integration and test, mission integration, non-recurring sustaining engineering |
The draft SOW describes the functions needed to support an integrated end-to-end network. Task orders will define the specific work.
The SOW governs.
Where anything said today differs from the posted draft SOW, the SOW controls.
Representative Functions Performed Across the Network
Experts chartered to support launches, docking, undocking, and splashdown.
Technical Operations & Analysis
Responsible for testing and verification of change to the operational system.
Systems Integration & Test
Responsible for 24x7 maintenance and operational support of operations buildings, antenna structures, & buildings
Facilities
Responsible for developing and delivering training programs. Technical publication are responsible for updating procedures.
Training & Documentation
Specific functions and staffing vary by site.
Safeguard information and technology infrastructure from various threats and vulnerabilities.
IT Security
Responsible for system maintenance to include, system administration and network administration.
Computer & Network Eng
Responsible for software development and maintenance.
Software Eng.
Spacecraft Engineering Mission Integration Spectrum Management Specialized Functions
24x7 certified crews and support staff.
Operations Department Communications, Physical, and Personnel Security Network Integrity
Responsible for maintaining and repairing system hardware. Includes 24x7 personnel for emergency HW repair.
Hardware Maintenance Depot
Ensures that the system technically fulfills the defined needs and requirements and that a proper system engineering approach is being followed.
Systems Engineering
UNNO Footprint Legacy Deep Space Network
Central management and support Global logistics support Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex (CA) Merritt Island, FL — MIL-71 launch support facility Coordination only: Madrid (MDSCC) and Canberra (CDSCC) — O&M obtained through international agreement Legacy Near Space Network
Space Relay ground: White Sands Complex, Guam Remote Station, Blossom Point Remote Station, Australian TDRS Facility Direct-to-Earth: Wallops (VA), McMurdo (Antarctica), White Sands 1 (NM), Fairbanks (AK), Kennedy Uplink Station and Ponce de Leon (FL) Other supporting facilities
Space Segment — TDRS Constellation Geosynchronous satellites over the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Ocean Regions, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year 1st generation: TDRS-3 (storage), TDRS-5, -6, -7 | 2nd generation: TDRS-8 | 3rd generation: TDRS-11, -12, -13 | plus STPSat-6
Legacy DSN Communication and navigation services beyond approximately two million kilometers from Earth.
For UNNO the focus is Goldstone and its supporting capabilities — with a continuing interface to the international sites.
Follow-the-Sun Operations Each complex is responsible for management of the full DSN communication network. A single complex monitors and controls all DSN connections during its location’s daylight hours, with handovers between complexes at approximately the change in prime shift.
In scope under UNNO
Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex DSN technical engineering support staff Global logistics support Operations in support of all NASA deep space missions Maintenance of 34-meter and 70-meter antennas and supporting subsystems International complexes
Madrid and Canberra operations and maintenance are obtained through international agreement — not under this contract The contractor provides global logistics coordination support to the worldwide DSN footprint Interface with international sites for consistency of upgrades and efficiencies Complexes are being upgraded to meet Artemis requirements while sustaining the science mission set
Direct-to-Earth Service Previously known as the Near Earth Network Telemetry, tracking, and commanding; high-rate data acquisition downlink; radiometric tracking Delivered through a global network of NASA and commercial ground stations Supports low Earth, geosynchronous, highly elliptical, Lagrange, lunar orbit and surface, sub-orbital, and launch trajectories 25-year history of commercial service providers under NASA-administered contracts Coordination with commercial providers is a contract requirement Space Relay Service Previously known as the Space Network TDRS constellation in geosynchronous orbit across the Atlantic, Pacific, & Indian Ocean Regions The constellation evolves as spacecraft age and are repositioned TDRS Operations and Control Center at White Sands Complex is the primary hub for operations Safe and secure operation of TDRS spacecraft, maximizing potential lifetime Commercial service providers are being added, with NASA administering the contracts
Legacy NSN Communication and navigation services from zero to approximately two million kilometers above Earth.
As commercial capabilities increase, the government-owned footprint may decrease through the life of UNNO.
Pre-decisional — for market research purposes only. This is not a solicitation.
Legacy Performance Requirements
| Network | Measure | Standard | |
| Near Space Network | Service availability — nominal | ≥ 97% averaged over one month | |
| Service availability — critical | ≥ 99% averaged over one month | ||
| Operational service proficiency | |||
| (SR Only) | ≥ 99.90% averaged over one month (standard of excellence ≥ 99.97%) | ||
| Operational service proficiency | |||
| (DTE Only) | ≥ 99.0% averaged over one month | ||
| Deep Space Network | Service availability — nominal | 95% | |
| Service availability — mission critical event | 98% |
UNNO Performance:
Detailed, service-specific performance requirements will be defined at the task order level
Pre-decisional — for market research purposes only. This is not a solicitation.
Statement of Work Management Requirements Program Management: technical, cost, schedule, and risk management; Task Implementation Plans with WBS and cost proposals Mission Assurance Program: risk management, quality assurance, government insight/support, and subcontractor flow-down Industrial Safety Program: hazard identification, safe work planning, stop-work authority, and a strong safety culture Security & Cybersecurity: COMSEC, PERSEC, PHYSEC, OPSEC, INFOSEC, incident response Operations and Maintenance 24x7 network operations of NSN with Follow-the-Sun Operations across the DSN Unified scheduling, conjunction assessment/avoidance, and critical event support (launches, planetary encounters, Artemis operations) Recurring sustaining engineering, including Sustainment Plans and TDRS constellation engineering Facilities O&M, logistics/property management
Development and Modernization Special Studies & Initiatives, including Mission Integration and Special Studies (MI&SS) task orders for unique network needs Integration & Test: new mission integration, interface compatibility testing, and integrated network testing Mission Integration & Customer Commitment: mission catalog, onboarding support, Mission Interface Manager (MIM)/MIEM functions, SLAs, NSRDs, and SARDs Non-recurring sustaining engineering: system sustainability plans, obsolescence identification, and budgetary estimates for modernization
SOW Key Takeaways for Industry The draft SOW operationalizes the One Network vision across management, DSN, NSN operations, and modernization within a single task order framework.
Task orders will define specific requirements, performance standards, deliverables, and Government-furnished property/information for each network.
Requirements span mission assurance, industrial safety, security, cybersecurity, facilities, logistics, and spectrum management — not just network operations.
Industry feedback through the RFI will directly shape FFP suitability, performance metrics, and transition planning before the contract language is finalized.
UNNO Acquisition Overview Ben Kamp
SCaN Space Communications and Navigation Exploration, enabled.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Alignment with Executive Order 14402 UNNO proposes a structure centered on firm-fixed-price for stable, recurring functions The RFI is being used, in part, to determine where FFP is genuinely supportable, what information industry needs to price it, and what exceptions remain justified UNNO is also assessing how automation, digitalization, metrics, incentives, and transition design can improve performance and lower cost under the final construct This approach supports the intent of the Executive Order while preserving flexibility to adopt better industry-informed alternatives before the acquisition is finalized Promoting Efficiency, Accountability, and Performance in Federal Contracting — EO 14402 “While there are circumstances in which cost-reimbursement contracting is appropriate, such as research and the pre-production developmental phase of major systems acquisition, it should be the exception, granted only in limited circumstances… …it is the policy of my Administration that fixed-price contracts with performance-based considerations should serve as the default and preferred method of procurement."
We are asking for constructive feedback on contract type and incentive structure.
Pre-decisional — for market research purposes only. This is not a solicitation.
One Construct, Two Categories:
Stable O&M and Competing Modernization Proposed Hybrid FFP/Cost, Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) How will it Function?
Agency and Industry input will inform final acquisition approach Category 1: Operation and Maintenance
Performance-Based Services with FFP Task Orders
FFP Task Orders for Baseline O&M Cost Plus Task Orders for Emergency and Non-Baseline O&M Surge support as either FFP or Cost Plus as appropriate
Category 2: Development and Modernization
Cost Plus or FFP (whichever is appropriate)
Multiple award Competition among contract holders as requirements come up Can also award current requirements at initial solicitation Cost type TO must have a path toward FFP sustainment UNNO Common Management Framework
Sample Task Order Timeline Category 1 – Can issue sole source TO’s
| Evaluate Category 1 (1 Award) | |||||||
| Contract Award | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 | Year 7 |
| Evaluate Category 2 |
Category 2 – Must compete and provide fair opportunity to all contract holders
TO 01 – O&M NSN (5 Year PoP) TO 06 – O&M DSN (5 Year PoP) TO 02 – Site A Modernization TO 03 – Development TO 05 – Site B Modernization TO 04 – Development TO 07 – Development The purpose of this timeline to illustrate how the IDIQ structure could function. The dates and timelines are notional.
Pre-decisional — for market research purposes only. This is not a solicitation.
Integral Contract Feature Contractor Collaboration and Data Exchange Obligations:
Ensure development and modernization contractors meet interoperability requirements and share data to enable continued operation and maintenance by a separate contractor.
Likewise, the O&M contractor should share data with the development and modernization contractors to achieve interoperability requirements.
Primarily accomplished through associate contractor agreements (ACA's).
UNNO Wrap Up Davey Jones
SCaN Space Communications and Navigation Exploration, enabled.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Notional Near-Term Schedule
| Milestone | Status / Date | |
| RFI Release | 15 Jul | |
| Industry Day Briefing | 07 Aug | |
| Industry 1 on 1s | 10 Aug (week of) | |
| RFI Responses Due | 15 Aug | |
| Site Visits with Industry (TBC) | ||
| White Sands, Goldstone, Wallops | Sep-Oct | |
| Draft RFP | 30 Oct |
Points of Contact
| Role | Name | Contact Info (email) |
| Contracting Officer | Benjamin Kamp | benjamin.m.kamp@nasa.gov |
| UNNO Project Manager | Davey Jones | davey.jones@nasa.gov |
| Requirement Development Lead | Shane Canerday | shane.a.canerday@nasa.gov |
S PA C E O P E R AT I O N S M I S S I O N D I R E C T O R AT E S PA C E C O M M U N I C AT I O N S & N AV I G AT I O N
Submission Guidelines Submission channel: TBD — to be specified by the Contracting Officer (e.g., SAM.gov or agency portal) Proposal format and page-limit requirements: TBD — to be defined in the final RFP Proposals Due: Mar 2027 TBC Participants are encouraged to submit comprehensive, compliant proposals to support effective and fair evaluation Evaluation is expected to weigh past performance, cost efficiency, and technical merit, consistent with FAR 15.304 evaluation factors Questions on submission mechanics should be directed to the Contracting Officer image2.png image3.png image4.png image1.jpeg image5.jpeg image6.png image7.png image8.jpeg image9.png image16.png image17.png image18.png image19.png image20.png image21.png image22.png image23.png image24.png image25.png image26.png image27.png image28.png image29.png image30.png image31.png image10.jpeg image32.png image33.png image34.png image35.png image36.png image37.png image38.png image11.png image12.png image13.png image14.png image15.png image39.png image40.png image48.jpeg image49.png image50.jpeg image51.jpeg image52.jpeg image41.jpeg image42.jpeg image43.jpeg image44.jpeg image45.jpeg image46.jpeg image47.jpeg image53.jpeg image54.jpg image55.png
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