SWO Access to Space RFI Attachment.pdf

RFI-SWO-A2S-Feb2026

Request For Information (RFI)

Space Weather Next Program

Title: Access to Space

Date of Original Posting: February 4, 2026

RFI Responses Due by: 11:59 PM ET, March 5, 2026

Introduction and Background:

The Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service’s (NESDIS) Office of Space Weather Observations (SWO) supports the United States National Space Weather Strategy by implementing and sustaining operational observation platforms, capabilities, and supporting observations to increase capabilities of data-driven Space Weather models. The Space Weather Next (SW Next) program, managed by SWO furthers the NESDIS strategic continuity of essential remote and in-situ space-based space weather measurements that address the NESDIS strategic objective to “Advance space weather observational leadership in all applicable orbits to meet mission needs.”

This program will maintain a long-term sustained capability for operational space weather observations as well as ensure continued data stewardship and access. The SW Next program includes the existing Space weather Observations at L1 to Advance Readiness (SOLAR) project that will continue and provide resilience for the measurement sets gathered by the Space Weather Follow-On Lagrange 1 (SWFO-L1) mission. Anticipated future SW Next projects would provide continuity and resilience for the measurement sets gathered by the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES)-R Series space weather observations and other geosynchronous space weather observations. Analysis of alternatives to satisfy these requirements, notionally identified as Space Weather Geo (SW GEO) is ongoing.

The SW Next program is a joint development and acquisition effort between NOAA and NASA.

NOAA’s updated 2025 Management Control Plan for space system acquisition establishes an updated relationship between NESDIS and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) for acquisition, development and deployment of NOAA space systems. This “Access To Space” RFI seeks information from industry regarding interest, capabilities, and options for providing launch integration and launch services for future NOAA Space weather systems via direct contracts with industry either acquired through NOAA/NESDIS or through NASA/GSFC. This RFI also seeks innovative and cost effective commercial industry partner ideas for future arrangements where the “Access to Space” services could be added to the scope of work for vendors who’ve been contracted for the development of future SW Next program spacecraft (i.e. a bundled contract approach).

Requirements/Specifications

Figure 1. Notional SW Next Mission Architecture (SW L1 or SW GEO) Concept

This SW Next program “Access To Space” RFI is intended to solicit industry feedback regarding the structure and execution of procurements for the launch-site integration & test, preparation, and launch of future SW Next program spacecraft to include the following scope of work:

1. Launch Services Procurement and Contract Management

2. Spacecraft to Launch Vehicle Integration

3. Co-manifested Payload Integration (if applicable to the mission) and Mission Specific

Accommodations

4. Launch Site Processing Facilities, Equipment & Materials, and Support

5. Regulatory and Payload Safety Coordination

If the Government moves forward with a related acquisition, the selected “Access To Space” Contractor will perform this work in coordination with the Government Customer, the SW Next program mission Spacecraft Contractor (SC), and the co-manifest payload providers (if additional mission payloads are to be manifested on the launch). In the event that a bundled procurement approach is used, the “Access To Space” Contractor and the Spacecraft Contractor could be the same entity.

SW Next missions will operate, at a minimum, from one of the following orbits:

● Lagrange 1 (L1)

● Geosynchronous or Geostationary (GEO)

Guidelines and Assumptions

For each possible SW Next mission “Access To Space” contract opportunity, the following information will be provided:

● Mission Launch Date

● Launch Vehicle Injection Orbit

● SW Next Payload Driving Parameters o Mass o Volume o Mechanical/Electrical Interfaces o Environmental Restrictions o Contamination Control o Ground Processing o Known Unique Mission Specific Requirements

● Co-manifested Payload Information (if applicable) o Number of payloads o Not-to-exceed mass values for each payload o Known Unique Mission Specific Requirements

All Payloads manifested on the mission will be designed, built, and tested to current launch industry standards. Co-manifested payloads will be responsible for providing the required separation system.

Additional mission compatibility criteria may be applied if required to support the SW Next Payload requirements.

The first notional “Access To Space” target contract opportunity is for a launch of the SOLAR-A observatory in the 4th quarter of CY2029 to an L1 launch injection orbit. This notional mission configuration is:

SOLAR-A Mission Parameters for RFI

Primary Payload:

1) Not-to-exceed mass: 650 kg

2) Static volume: 2.5m length x 1.85m width x 1.2m height (above separation plane)

3) Mechanical Mating Interface:

a. 937mm clamp band

b. Contractor to provide separation system

c. SC will provide the passive/flyaway ring

4) Electrical umbilical interface: Two (2) x 61-pin in-flight disconnect connectors, total includes all data, power and safety inhibits

a. Primary payload is powered at launch

5) Environmental Restrictions

a. Magnetic cleanliness protection protocols

6) Contamination Control Enhancements

a. Processing in an ISO 7 environment per IEST-STD-CC1246

b. Enhanced cleaning of LV payload compartment surfaces

c. Dedicated T-0 disconnect nitrogen purge of instruments

7) Payload Ground Processing

Duration of up to 30 days <TBR > of standalone processing time for all payloads prior to combined operations with the launch services provider

8) Propellant loading operations involving hydrazine

Co-manifested Payloads:

1) Quantity: Up to 2 co-manifested payloads

2) Total payload mass for all co-manifested payloads: Not to exceed 1000 kg

3) Static volume per payload: Full Plate with Intrusion Volume as defined in the SpaceX

Rideshare Payload User’s Guide

4) Mechanical Mating Interface:

a. 8”, 15”, or 24” bolted interface between each co-manifested payload and the launch vehicle.

b. Each co-manifested payload will provide its separation system.

5) Electrical umbilical interface:

a. Umbilical interfaces for each co-manifested payload and each co-manifested payload separation system.

b. Umbilical connections for each co-manifested payload, up to 75 conductors. Total includes all safety inhibits.

c. Co-manifested payloads are powered on or off for launch

6) Contamination Control Enhancements

a. Consistent with the primary payload requirements

RFI Response Information

The Government is requesting feedback, interest, innovation, discussion and recommendations, in contractor format, from industry on the proposed “Access To Space” services approach with responses to both:

A. As related to the particular requirements of the SOLAR-A mission described above, and B. Strategic and contractual feedback for anticipated SW Next missions such as SW GEO in the following areas:

1. Contractor’s experience in the procurement and management of commercial launch services and related support;

2. Contractor’s experience in the management of missions involving both primary, co-manifested and rideshare payloads being launched on the same launch vehicle;

3. Contractor’s experience as a provider of bundled services (e.g. spacecraft provider and launch services);

4. Structure and type of contract mechanisms for the scope of work described for the

“Access to Space” services;

5. Appropriate level of Government Customer insight, participation and risk that should be applied to contracted “Access To Space” services, whether procured separately or as a bundled service, based upon the value and national importance of SW Next missions;

6. Procurement schedule to be implemented by the Contractor in the execution of “Access To Space” services for a SW Next mission and the key drivers affecting this schedule;

7. Key cost and risk drivers that would impact Contractor’s proposed cost for “Access To Space” services;

8. Contractor’s ability and suggest approach to incorporate special/trade studies (e.g. loads assessment, thermal assessment, etc.) efficiently; and

9. How would the Contractor mitigate the risk of a launch failure and the resulting financial loss associated with the failure of the SW Next spacecraft, and potential Rideshare Payloads, to reach the intended orbit?

For SOLAR-A only:

10.Rough-order-of-magnitude (ROM) pricing, feasibility and risks with related assumptions for the notional SOLAR-A mission for launch in the 4th-quarter of CY2029;

Submission Instructions

RFI Responses and Capability Statements should include the following information:

1. Business information including: Company name, address, DUNS number, and CAGE Code; Point of contact with email and phone number; and any current Small Business Administration small business designations.

2. Projected costs and associated business models, including the degree of government commitment required and the extent of non-government markets for the services.

3. Business risks to the proposed approach and the means for mitigating those risks.

4. Cost models and contractual arrangements for proposed services (i.e., FAR-based contract, Cooperative

Research and Development Agreement, grant, cooperative agreement, and/or Other Transaction Agreement).

5. Capability Statements must be received via email by the Contracting Officer at the email address provided in the posting no later than the posted due date. The Government is not obligated to review responses received after the deadline.

Submissions must be emailed to Maryann.Orellana@noaa.gov by the deadline posted with the email Subject Line: RFI-SWO-A2S-Feb2026.

mailto:Maryann.Orellana@noaa.gov

Use of Information Received This RFI does not guarantee that the Government will issue a request for proposal (RFP) or award a contract for supplies or services. No specific RFP is planned to follow this RFI; however, the responses could impact the Government’s decision to release multiple RFPs in the future.

Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable government regulations. Any material received will be considered to be public domain unless clearly marked (on each page) as proprietary.

The Government must not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for proprietary information not properly identified. Not responding to this RFI will not preclude an entity from submitting a proposal to any subsequent NOAA solicitations.

Respondents are hereby notified that as part of this process, NOAA may share the information obtained from this market research with other US Government agencies.