PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO ADVANCE OPTICAL and RF SPACE COMMUNICATIONS AND NAVIGATION (SCaN) CAPABILITIES AND SERVICES

Submit questions regarding this RFI via Email to: NASA-Relay-Pathfinder@lists.nasa.gov. The subject line of the email should read "NASA Relay Pathfinder RFI Question" as well as the name of the organization/company submitting the question. Questions and Answers will not be made public. QUESTIONS ABOUT THE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2017 AT 4:30PM EDT.

NASA is soliciting information from any and all U.S. commercial entities that have an interest to partner with NASA on shared satellite(s) development, provision of communication or navigation capabilities or services in low Earth orbit or outside of low Earth orbit, or development or validation of technology. NASA's investment with commercial entities seeks to accelerate the availability of new services and capabilities and advance US commerce in space.NASA is soliciting information from any and all U.S. commercial entities that have an interest to partner with NASA on shared satellite(s) development, provision of communication or navigation capabilities or services in low Earth orbit or outside of low Earth orbit, or development or validation of technology. NASA's investment with commercial entities seeks to accelerate the availability of new services and capabilities and advance US commerce in space.

This RFI is used for planning purposes and technology assessments and does not constitute a solicitation. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by NASA to form a binding contract. NASA is under no obligation to issue a solicitation or to award any contract based on this RFI. NASA intends to evaluate all data received for potential future options/plans.

This RFI is used solely for soliciting information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by NASA to form a binding contract. NASA is under no obligation to issue a solicitation or to award any contract on the basis of this RFI. However, the information resulting from this RFI may be utilized by NASA in developing its acquisition strategy. Respondents are encouraged to provide information that is not constrained by limited/restricted data rights. However, if proprietary data is included in a reply, Respondents should clearly and properly mark any propriety or restricted data contained within its submission so it can be identified and protected. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. NASA intends to evaluate all data received and Responders may be contacted for further discussion on an as needed basis. Please note, NASA as well as support contractors and/or their sub-contractors working on behalf of the Government may be reviewing the information. Responses to this RFI will not be returned, and Respondents will not be notified of the result of the review.

The Government does not intend to award a contract on the resulting from this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. The information provided is entirely voluntary and will not affect the ability to bid on future requirements. This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services.

No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of a solicitation. If a solicitation is released in the future, it will be synopsized in FedBizOpps and on the NASA Acquisition Internet Service. It is the potential Respondent's responsibility to monitor these sites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.