Horiba Fuelcon upgrade for Methane/Oxygen SOFC Test Capability

NASA's National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center (NASA/NSSC) published this Special Notice on December 9, 2025, regarding a Horiba Fuelcon upgrade for Methane/Oxygen SOFC Test Capability. The procurement is intended as a sole source contract to HORIBA INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as they have been determined to be the sole provider of this specialized upgrade. The contracting approach will utilize commercial items and services under FAR Part 12 and Part 13 procedures. Performance will take place at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC). The NAICS code for this procurement is 541330 (Engineering Services), and the PSC category is K066 (Modification of Equipment—Instruments and Laboratory Equipment).

The primary objective of this procurement is to upgrade and recommission an inactive Horiba Fuelcon test stand at NASA Glenn Research Center to support solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) testing with methane and oxygen reactants for Mars-related applications. Interested organizations must submit their capabilities and qualifications in writing to Laura Quave (laura.a.quave@nasa.gov) no later than 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on December 11, 2025, referencing Notice ID 80NSSC26909571Q in all correspondence. Submissions will be evaluated solely to determine whether the government should conduct this procurement on a competitive basis, with the final decision remaining at the government's sole discretion. The Statement of Work includes comprehensive on-site engineering services such as technical modifications to add oxygen and methane handling capabilities, increasing load bank capacity to 1.8kWe, updating safety components, and providing startup, recommissioning, and personnel training. Additionally, contractors must comply with mandatory AI disclosure requirements and any applicable OMB memo M-25-22 provisions regarding covered AI systems or services.