Modification to Making Advancements in Commercial Hypersonics (MACH).
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- 80AFRC26SS020
- Agency
-
Armstrong Flight Research Center
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- PSC
- AJ11 General Science And Technology R&D Services; General Science And Technology; Basic Research
- Place of performance
- California 93501, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center announced a sole-source contract modification to the MACH program (contract 80AFRC25P001) with a response deadline of August 21, 2026, and intends to award to Stratolaunch, LLC for System Requirements Review and Conceptual Design Review activities for the Talon-A NextGen hypersonic flight test vehicle. The agency is soliciting capability statements from interested organizations by 4:00 p.m. Pacific on August 21, 2026 to determine whether to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis; responses will be evaluated solely for that purpose, and the Government retains full discretion on competition decisions.
The Talon-A is currently the only operational, reusable hypersonic flight test vehicle in the United States capable of Mach 5+ conditions and is being used by government and industry to advance critical technologies. Growing demand exists to test technologies at Mach 6+ speeds sustained for 10+ minutes. Stratolaunch is the only contractor with an operational vehicle that can be modified to meet these more demanding conditions.
Interested organizations should submit capabilities and qualifications electronically to Melissa Newell at melissa.newell@nasa.gov. The Government intends to use FAR Part 12 (commercial products and services) and NASA Clause 1852.215-84 (Ombudsman) applies.
Notice text
NASA/AFRC has a requirement to develop a comprehensive System Requirements Review (SRR) and Conceptual Design Review (CoDR) activity for the Stratolaunch Talon-A NextGen hypersonic flight test vehicle as a modification to the current contract 80AFRC25P001, Flight Test Vehicle Development Examination for Making Advancements in Commercial Hypersonics (MACH).
NASA/AFRC intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire the servicesfrom Stratolaunch, LLC. During the current contract performance, Stratolaunch, LLC has developed and is flight testing the Talon-A high-speed vehicle that can currently reach Mach 5 conditions for approximately 10 seconds. The Talon-A vehicle is currently the only reusable flight test vehicle in the United States that can reach hypersonic flight conditions (Mach 5+). This unique flight test capability is currently being used by United States government and industry to verify/advance critical technologies for future hypersonic vehicle applications. There is an increasing demand to test critical technologies at sustained flight conditions of Mach 6+ and longer flight conditions (10+ minutes). Stratolaunch is currently the only contractor with an operational and reusable flight test vehicle that can be modified to meet the more demanding flight test conditions.
The Government intends to acquire a commercial product or service using FAR Part 12.
Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Melissa Newell at melissa.newell@nasa.gov not later than 4:00pm Pacific on August 21, 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
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| This notice | Special Notice | |
| 32-Channel Load Control System with Controlled Load Abort Capability | Pre-Solicitation |
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