Custom parachute (x2) and drop tests with full report.

NASA's Shared Services Center has issued a sole source special notice for the procurement of two custom NASA Balloon Cruciform Parachutes designed for a 3500 lb suspended load, along with associated drop testing and comprehensive reporting. This procurement is being conducted under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) as a sole source acquisition specifically targeting Butler Parachute Systems, Inc. of Roanoke, Virginia. The contract falls under NAICS code 541330 for Engineering Services and requires completion by October 31, 2025. The notice explicitly states that only authorized resellers are eligible to participate in this procurement opportunity. NASA is seeking responses from interested organizations to determine whether competitive procurement is warranted.

The primary objective of this procurement is to obtain two parachutes manufactured using a previously approved design that Butler Parachute Systems developed under a critical design review completed in a prior contract (NSSC25PA325). The contractor must coordinate and perform drop tests from a minimum altitude of 15,000 feet, collecting specific data including video documentation and 6-DOF accelerometer measurements. Interested parties must submit their capabilities and qualifications in writing to the primary point of contact by 8:00 a.m. Central Standard Time on October 2, 2025. The sole source justification is based on Butler Parachute Systems' specialized knowledge and proprietary design expertise, with NASA noting that selecting another vendor would require conducting a full design cycle and additional critical design review, wasting previous investments. All work must be performed at contractor facilities within the continental United States, with final deliverables including manufacturing reports, completed parachutes, and comprehensive testing analysis.