Perform on lightning advisory panel

NASA's Shared Services Center has issued a Special Notice regarding a sole source contract opportunity for developing and modifying NASA Lightning Launch Commit Criteria and associated rationale. The agency intends to award this contract to the University System of New Hampshire under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) authority, having determined that the university is the sole provider capable of performing this specialized work. The procurement will be conducted under FAR Parts 12 and 13 for commercial items and services, with performance located at NASA Kennedy Space Center. This opportunity falls under NAICS code 611310 for educational institutions and is classified as general science and technology research and development services. The contract involves participation on NASA's Lightning Advisory Panel to support launch safety efforts for NASA, Department of Defense, and Federal Aviation Administration missions.

The primary objective of this Special Notice is to identify potential alternative sources that could competitively perform the lightning advisory panel work, which includes defining Lightning Launch Commit Criteria to reduce risks from triggered or natural lightning during launches. Interested organizations must submit written capabilities and qualifications statements by 3:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on July 8, 2025, with oral communications not being acceptable. The government will evaluate these submissions solely to determine whether to conduct the procurement on a competitive basis rather than sole source, though the final decision remains at the government's discretion. The work encompasses three main tasks: attending meetings and teleconferences, managing travel expenses, and potentially serving as the Lightning Advisory Panel Chair to coordinate with NASA and the United States Space Force. Key deliverables include documentation of contributions and analyses related to lightning launch commit criteria development over a one-year performance period.