NASA Postdoctoral Program-3 (NPP-3) - Draft Request for Proposal (DRFP)
Open Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- 80HQTR27R0006
- Agency
-
Headquarters
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541612 Human Resources Consulting Services
- PSC
- R799 Support- Management: Other
- Place of performance
- Maryland 20771, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
NASA Headquarters issued a Draft Request for Proposal on October 16, 2026, for the NASA Postdoctoral Program-3 (NPP-3) management and administration services, with a final RFP anticipated in November 2026 and proposals due approximately 30 days thereafter. The acquisition is full and open competition under NAICS 541612 (Human Resources Consulting Services) with a $29 million size standard; all responsible sources may submit offers. The contract will be hybrid Firm-Fixed Price and Cost-Plus-Fixed Fee for a base year plus four option years (approximately 5.5 years total), with an anticipated award in April 2027 and contract effective date in July 2027.
The contractor shall provide comprehensive management and administrative services across NASA Centers, Headquarters, designated universities, and contractor facilities to support both the NASA Postdoctoral Research Program (NPRP) and NASA Postdoctoral Management Program (NPMP). Core deliverables include website and knowledge management systems (eight portals with FISMA 2024 compliance and Authority to Operate); solicitation and application review (minimum one cycle annually with external peer review); fellow enrollment including J-1 visa sponsorship; financial reporting by host organization and funding source; operational performance metrics; and transition support with minimum 90-day phase-out to successor contractors.
Critical gate criteria require offerors to demonstrate State Department approval for J-1 visa processing and ability to obtain and maintain FISMA authority to operate. A 90-day phase-in period will be awarded as a separate Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order prior to the contract effective date. Proposals must be submitted through NASA's FedRAMP Moderate certified Enterprise File Sharing and Sync Box. Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov and VETS-4212 with a valid unique entity identifier. Questions must be submitted electronically to Leona D. Ellis at leona.d.ellis@nasa.gov; prospective offerors are encouraged to notify the office of their intent to submit an offer. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition is listed at https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf.
Notice text
NASA/Headquarters (HQ) plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP-3). The NPP-3 acquisition supports NASA’s Science Mission Directorates and is designed to advance NASA’s mission and vision by offering research and management opportunities to highly talented individuals who perform at NASA Centers, HQ, and other NASA facilities, as well as designated universities. The principal purpose of this contract is to acquire management and administration services for the NPP. The needs under this requirement include the ability of the contractor to provide the materials, facilities, supplies, administrative support, programmatic support, and expertise necessary to promote and administer the NASA Postdoctoral Research Program (NPRP) and the NASA Postdoctoral Management Program (NPMP).
The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial product or commercial service using FAR Part 12.
The NAICS Code and Size Standard are 541612 and $29M, respectively.
The anticipated release date of the the final RFP is on or about November 2026, with an anticipated offer due date of on or about December 2026.
All responsible sources may submit an offer which will be considered by the agency.
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
If a solicitation is released, then it and any additional documents will be available on Sam.gov.
It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor this website for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any).
Prospective offerors are encouraged to notify this office of their intent to submit an offer. All contractual and technical questions must be submitted electronically via email to Leona D. Ellis at leona.d.ellis@nasa.gov not later than 3:00 PM Eastern Standard Time October 30, 2026. Telephone questions will not be accepted.
Files
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Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| This notice | Special Notice | |
| NASA Postdoctoral Program-3 (NPP-3) | Pre-Solicitation |
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