Multi-Mission Commercial Launch Services (MCLS) Request for Information

Description

NASA’s Commercial Access to Space Program and Launch Services Program Office (LSP) are seeking statements of interest from industry demonstrating the interest, experience, and capability to provide launch services in support of the Multi-Mission Commercial Launch Services (MCLS) requirements identified below.

General Project Requirements

NASA intends to procure launch services through a full and open competition for at least eight (8) full-mission-assurance launches to the following orbits:  

            Two (2) High C3 Orbit in 2031 

            Two (2) Lagrange/Lunar Orbit in 2030 

            Three (3) Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO) in 2030 (2 mission) and 2031 (1 mission) 

            One (1) Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in 2030 

These missions will require full NASA insight and full mission assurance; however, they will not require a completed first flight prior to proposal receipt. Full mission assurance is described as a Contractor providing NASA an adequate level of insight into and/or approval of certain Contractor tasks and milestones in order to ensure all reasonable steps have been taken that result in the highest probability of mission success. These requirements are subject to change.

Request for Information Goals and Objectives

The goal of this RFI is to improve both NASA's understanding of industry capabilities and the industry's understanding of NASA's needs by collecting industry feedback on the planned procurement process and evaluation strategy for the MCLS acquisition. This information will help LSP understand how to best structure the upcoming solicitation and evaluation criteria to align with industry’s best practices and maximize competition. Please complete the attached questionnaire detailing your perspectives on the most effective procurement approach.

Industry Day:

NASA LSP intends to host a virtual forum with industry (i.e., “Industry Day”) on the 12th and 13th of November 2026 to engage in open discussion and dialogue to answer questions interested parties may have regarding the NASA’s contemplated MCLS acquisition strategy. The objective of this event is to receive industry’s feedback on the MCLS acquisition strategy and provide industry with additional details about the MCLS acquisition.

Additionally, if there are any procurement topics you recommend LSP specifically address at  Industry Day, please let us know by 10 November 2026. Finally, please indicate if you would like to discuss any topic(s) individually. Immediately following Industry Day, LSP will offer sixty (60)-minute timeslots for one-on-one meetings with each interested party. Timing of these one-on-one meetings is tentative and will depend on the number of RSVPs received, timing of the Industry Day, etc.

Those who wish to attend are encouraged to RSVP to the virtual Industry Day and one-on-one meetings as soon as possible, but no later than 9 November 2026, 3:00PM EST.

The purpose of this RFI and upcoming Industry Day is to conduct market research for currently available launch capabilities. To be considered within the scope of this effort, the Respondent’s proposed launch vehicle must have development tests demonstrating at least 50% of the flight thrust at the complete full-scale single engine assembly level for all core stage engines of the common launch vehicle configuration being proposed. Launch vehicles that are currently in the conceptual or design stages will not be considered for this specific requirement.

Submittal Instructions 

Please use the Questionnaire document that is provide to answer the RFI questions. All responses should be sent electronically to NASA points of contact identified below NLT 17 November 2026, 3:00PM EST. Any responses submitted through different channels or to a different email may not be considered. When submitting a response, please use the email subject “Response to RFI – NASA MCLS.” 

Points of Contact 

Primary 

Rachel Edwards, Contracting Officer 

Rachel.t.edwards@nasa.gov 

Secondary 

Mary Vaughn, Lead Contracting Officer 

mary.e.vaughn-1@nasa.gov 

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. This Sources Sought is being issued for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation (Request for Proposal or Request for Quotations) or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. This Sources Sought does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, the Government is not, at this time, seeking proposals. Respondents to this notice are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred by responding to this notice. All costs associated with responding to this notice will be solely at the expense of the responding party.

Intellectual or other privileged information contained in responses to this Sources Sought will not be distributed outside of NASA or United States Government employees from other Government agencies.