delivery of the RockOn and RockSat student launch

NASA's National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center has issued a Special Notice for the delivery of the RockOn and RockSat student launch opportunities at Wallops Flight Facility. The procurement intends to award a sole source contract to Student Projects In Space, LLC (SPINS), a company based in Arvada, Colorado, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i). NASA has determined that SPINS is the sole provider capable of delivering the required services in collaboration with the NASA Sounding Rocket Program Office. The procuring center is NASA/NSSC, with performance to be located at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The Government plans to acquire commercial items and services under the provisions of FAR Parts 12 and 13, utilizing the Professional and Management Development Training NAICS classification (611430).

The primary objective of this procurement is to secure comprehensive technical and administrative support for NASA Wallops Flight Facility's student launch programs from October 2025 through September 2026. Interested organizations must submit written capabilities and qualifications to the identified point of contact by 12 p.m. Central Standard Time on January 14, 2026, though the Government reserves the right to maintain sole source procurement based on its discretionary evaluation. Submissions will be assessed solely to determine whether competitive procurement is warranted, with oral communications explicitly prohibited. The contractor's responsibilities include selecting and supporting 10-20 RockSat teams, conducting 40-80 team reviews across multiple design phases, providing surface mount component installation for the RockOn flight computer, hiring eight collegiate student helpers, and delivering technical support during June 2026 workshops. Work will primarily occur in Aurora, Colorado, with required travel to Wallops Flight Facility for workshops, integration activities, launch operations, and recovery efforts.