Cancelled: Final Request For Proposal (RFP): 10-Kilowatt Closed Brayton Cycle (CBC) Power Conversion System (PCS) Prototype for Fission Surface Power

NASA Glenn Research Center originally sought to procure a 10-Kilowatt Closed Brayton Cycle (CBC) Power Conversion System (PCS) Prototype for Fission Surface Power through solicitation 80GRC025R7013. The contract required designing, manufacturing, testing, and delivering a laboratory prototype system capable of generating 10kW of electrical power with specific technical requirements including a turbine inlet temperature between 1100-1200K, thermal-to-electric conversion efficiency of at least 22%, and a 1000-hour minimum operating life. The evaluation would have used a best-value source selection approach, with Mission Suitability and Past Performance factors being significantly more important than price, assessing technical approach, path to flight considerations, schedule feasibility, and the offeror's relevant experience. The original proposal submission deadline was August 20, 2025, at 5:00 PM EDT through NASA Box, with all offerors required to contact the Contracting Officer at least 7 days prior to the deadline. However, on August 7, 2025, NASA issued Amendment 1 canceling the entire RFP, determining it was in the agency's best interest to not make an award and to reexamine its requirements and acquisition strategy.

This solicitation carried no set-aside designation and was structured as a full and open competition under NAICS code 541715 with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees. No incumbent contractors were identified in the documentation, and while the total contract value was to be determined, the acquisition was structured as a firm-fixed price contract. The performance period was anticipated to be 19 months with a contract award originally planned for September 29, 2025, and the same effective date. The place of performance was specified as the United States, with the prototype system intended to inform requirements for a spaceflight fission power system. Despite the comprehensive procurement framework established, including detailed IT security requirements and electronic submission procedures through NASA Box, the agency ultimately decided to cancel the solicitation and encourages industry to monitor SAM.gov for future opportunities at Glenn Research Center.