Numerical Propulsion System Simulation® (NPSS®) Consortium

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has issued a Special Notice for the Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS) Consortium, seeking to procure ongoing software maintenance and support services. The notice, identified by Solicitation Number 80NSSC897045Q, indicates NASA's intention to evaluate potential competitive procurement for the NPSS software. Initially, NASA plans to award the contract to Southwest Research Institute under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) as a sole source provider. The procurement will be conducted using commercial items and services under FAR Parts 12 and 13, with performance located at NASA Glenn Research Center. The solicitation falls under NAICS Code 513210 for Software Publishers.

Contractors interested in this opportunity must submit their capabilities and qualifications in writing by 4:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on March 12, 2025. The primary objective is to secure comprehensive maintenance and support services for the NPSS software, ensuring the system can analyze thermodynamic systems, advanced propulsion, and power systems. Successful contractors will participate in annual meetings, discuss software modifications, and provide technical support consistent with consortium membership terms. The procurement stems from a 2010 Software Use and Distribution Agreement between NASA and the Ohio Aerospace Institute, with the selected vendor expected to provide software support equivalent to the lowest-level NPSS consortium members. Contractors will have the opportunity to participate in the Program Advisory Committee as a non-voting member, with the ability to propose and discuss NPSS code modifications through a funded Participation Fee pool. The final determination of full and open competition remains solely at the government's discretion.