DEMonstrating the Emerging Technologies for measuring Earth's Radiation (DEMETER)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center (NASA/NSSC) has issued a Special Notice for the DEMonstrating the Emerging Technologies for measuring Earth's Radiation (DEMETER) project. This is a sole source requirement, with NASA intending to award a contract directly to NOVAWURKS, INC, located in Long Beach, California. The procurement will be conducted under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), with performance taking place at NASA Langley Research Center. The project is categorized under NAICS code 541715 for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. The opportunity was posted on May 22, 2025, with responses due by May 27, 2025.

The primary objective of this Special Notice is to develop a space vehicle observational platform with a 1+ year operational design lifetime that will host the Broadband Atmospheric Radiation Knowledge Instrument (BARKI). NovaWurks was selected due to its unique flight demonstration of a conformable small satellite Space Vehicle bus architecture utilizing HISats, which offers critical capabilities like active thermal control and onboard processing. The contract has a baseline 12-month performance period from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with an optional 12-month extension. Contractor eligibility requires staff to be U.S. citizens or resident aliens capable of obtaining a favorable NACI security outcome. Key requirements include participating in project reviews, supporting interface documentation, defining Low Earth Orbit configuration analyses, and submitting monthly technical and financial status reports. Contractors must also be prepared to attend weekly virtual meetings and potentially travel to NASA Langley in Hampton, VA, for project-related meetings.