Engaging for-profit entities in a pre-competitive framework for trust-building, innovation, and market intelligence in the utility sector targeting risk-aware industries in particular, the insurance sector.

This Special Notice, posted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center on January 9, 2026, announces a sole-source opportunity for engaging for-profit entities in a pre-competitive framework focused on trust-building, innovation, and market intelligence within the utility sector, with particular emphasis on the insurance industry. The opportunity is designated as a sole-source requirement and is restricted to authorized resellers only. Interested parties must submit proposals by the January 13, 2026 deadline. The work represents NASA's effort to strategically position itself as a reliable partner in risk-aware industries while leveraging Earth Science Division capabilities.

The primary objective of this engagement is to establish NASA as a trusted collaborator in the insurance sector by facilitating market intelligence gathering, collaborative development, and innovation pipeline generation to expand Earth Science Division capabilities into insurance industry applications. The contract work will be performed at Duke University from January 15, 2026, through January 14, 2027, and involves collaboration with NASA's Earth Science Division using datasets including GMAO, IMERG, LAHASA, and FIRMS. Eligibility is limited to authorized resellers participating in the Center for Innovation, Risk, Catastrophe, and Decisions (CIRCAD), a National Science Foundation Industry University Cooperative Research Center consortium, which is positioned as the sole provider for this opportunity. Key contractor responsibilities include conducting research utilizing NASA Earth Science data, educating students and postdocs, managing Industry Advisory Board communications, and translating operational needs from IAB members into requirements that will inform future NASA ESD mission development.