Intent to Sole Source - 5G System for Lunar Surface Communications Evaluation and Radio Propagation Measurements
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- Place of performance
- United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
NASA Glenn Research Center issued a sole-source intent notice on July 2, 2026, announcing plans to contract with Modulate Space Corporation for research and development of a 5G New Radio User Equipment and Network-in-a-Box system for lunar surface communications evaluation, with a response deadline of July 17, 2026, at 4:00 PM EDT. The notice is issued under FAR 6.103-1, asserting only one responsible source can satisfy agency requirements.
The system must integrate 5G New Radio and Wi-Fi 6 capabilities with key features to demonstrate network operations on the lunar surface and advance technology readiness level in support of operational readiness for subsequent lunar missions. Work encompasses two contract line items: development and lab demonstration of a Network-in-a-Box prototype system over 17 months, advancing from TRL 3 to TRL 6/7, followed by flight demonstration on the lunar surface over 23 months. CLIN 0001 requires development of 3GPP-compliant systems operating in band N78 with SideLink mesh networking, wideband antennas, and two functioning prototype engineering units with comprehensive design reviews and lab demonstrations connecting to at least three 5G NR user equipment prototypes. CLIN 0002 requires proto-flight units, Range Safety and RF transmission licensing, terrestrial validation, and actual lunar surface integration of the NIB into a lander and UE into rovers or hoppers over a 1–2 km range to characterize RF propagation and collect measurement data.
Interested organizations may submit capabilities and qualifications electronically to Ian Park at ian.park@nasa.gov by July 17, 2026. Responses will be evaluated solely to determine whether to conduct the acquisition on a competitive basis; the Government retains sole discretion on that decision.
Notice text
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has a requirement to develop a minimum viable solution of a 5G New Radio (5G-NR) User Equipment (UE) and 5G Network-In-a-Box (NIB). The solution must be developed with integrated Wi-Fi 6 and the key features needed to successfully demonstrate the network solution on the lunar surface and accelerate the technology readiness level (TRL) in anticipation of operational readiness for subsequent lunar missions. See Attachment A – Statement of Work for the details.
NASA GRC intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire Research and Development from MODULATE SPACE CORPORATION (also known as Modul8, formerly Nokia Bell Labs’ Space Communication Solutions) under the authority of FAR 6.103-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.
The Government intends to acquire a commercial product or commercial service.
Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Ian Park at ian.park@nasa.gov not later than 4:00PM EDT on Friday, July 17th, 2026. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis. A decision by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.
NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at: https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf
Update #1 ·
NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has a requirement to develop a minimum viable solution of a 5G New Radio (5G-NR) User Equipment (UE) and 5G Network-In-a-Box (NIB). The solution must be developed with integrated Wi-Fi 6 and the key features needed to successfully demonstrate the network solution on the lunar surface and accelerate the technology readiness level (TRL) in anticipation of operational readiness for subsequent lunar missions. See Attachment A – Statement of Work for the details.
NASA GRC intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire Research and Development from MODULATE SPACE CORPORATION (also known as Modul8, formerly Nokia Bell Labs’ Space Communication Solutions) under the authority of FAR 6.103-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.
The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial product or commercial service using FAR Part 12.
Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Ian Park at ian.park@nasa.gov not later than 4:00PM EDT on Friday, July 17th, 2026. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis. A decision by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.
NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at: https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Attachment A - SOW - 5G System for Lunar Surface Communications Evaluation.pdf |
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| Opportunity | Agency | Set-aside | Responses due |
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| Intent to Sole Source - Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Public Private Partnership (PPP) | Glenn Research Center | No set-aside |
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