Deployment system with spherical electrodes for sounding rockets

NASA's Shared Services Center is soliciting a deployment system with spherical electrodes designed for sounding rockets through RFQ 80NSSC26915862Q. The system must symmetrically deploy two opposing booms with spherical sensors extending to at least 5.5 meters while fitting within a 15.5-inch diameter rocket payload, with deployment occurring within 20 seconds at vehicle spin rates of 0.5-3.0 Hz. The entire boom assembly is constrained to 8 kilograms and must utilize highly conducting materials such as aluminum or beryllium copper, with co-axial cables meeting 50-ohm impedance specifications. NASA will evaluate proposals using a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) methodology. The solicitation deadline for quotations is December 18, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. CT, with all technical and contractual questions due to Cody Guidry in writing by December 17, 2025.

This procurement is set aside exclusively for small businesses and requires offerors to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with a valid Unique Entity Identifier and CAGE code. No incumbent contractor or award value has been specified in the available documentation. The system must be delivered to Greenbelt, Maryland, with performance specifications requiring an internal mechanical energy release mechanism, electrical isolation provisions, connector interfaces, and thin-shelled aluminum spheres that allow separation for internal circuit board access. The NAICS code associated with this procurement is 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), and the contract will be structured as a firm fixed price agreement with the total value to be determined based on qualifying proposals.