Fission Surface Power System - Second Draft Announcement for Partnership Proposals

NASA's Glenn Research Center seeks partnerships with U.S. industry to develop and deploy an operational fission surface power system for lunar surface deployment through a Draft Announcement for Partnership Proposals (AFPP). The procurement focuses on establishing Funded Space Act Agreements (FSAA) with private industry partners to create a power generation system capable of producing a minimum of 100 kilowatts electric (kWe) using a single reactor fueled with High Assay Lower Enriched Uranium (HALEU) and operating continuously on the lunar surface for a minimum of 10 years. Key requirements include technical feasibility of the engineering approach, business viability of the proposed solution, commercial deployment capability, nuclear regulatory compliance, and the ability to make commercially generated power available to NASA and other government entities. NASA will evaluate proposals based on technical approach, engineering design, business viability, and capacity to mature the technology for future lunar and space applications. The original comment deadline was December 12, 2025, with one-on-one virtual sessions scheduled for the week of December 15-19, 2025; however, as of March 26, 2026, NASA announced that the current draft FSAA path has been made inactive while the agency reassesses the FSP development approach.

This procurement carries no set-aside designations and names no incumbent contractors. Eligible entities must be for-profit organizations organized under U.S. laws and more than 50% owned and controlled by U.S. nationals, or foreign subsidiaries with significant U.S. investments in research, development, manufacturing, and employment. The proposed effort spans from fiscal year 2026 through 2031, organized into Phase A (commercial development, demonstration, and deployment) and Phase B (commercial power accessibility), with a targeted deployment in Q1 FY30. Specific budget values have not been disclosed in the pre-solicitation materials. The notice indicates that NASA will provide milestone payments, launch and landing services, and technical support throughout development, though the final announcement details, proposal due date, and award information remain to be determined as the agency realigns procurement timelines with national space policy objectives.