REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI): Atmospheric Microwave Radiometry Observations for NASA FALCON
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- NNH26ZDA007L
- Agency
-
Headquarters
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- Not on record
- PSC
- Not on record
- Place of performance
- Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
NASA's Science Mission Directorate is soliciting information on low-cost concepts for developing, launching, and operating a commercially owned and operated passive microwave radiometer satellite to fly in formation with the Fleet for the Atmosphere Linking Commercial Observations with NASA (FALCON) constellation. The agency is seeking responses from industry, universities, non-profit organizations, government agencies, FFRDCs, UARCs, and international partners on approaches to leverage commercial capabilities for this radiometer component. Key requirements include orbital parameters with altitude ranges of 400-550 kilometers, sun-synchronous or mid-inclination orbit options (~55 degrees), spectral capabilities in millimeter and sub-millimeter wave bands, specified radiometric accuracy levels, and station-keeping capability. Evaluation criteria include mission concept approaches addressing satellite and instrument specifications, programmatic arrangements and contract structures, rough order of magnitude cost estimates in FY26 dollars, schedule timing for major activities, and data rights considerations. Responses are limited to 10 pages plus a title page and must be submitted as PDF documents through NASA's NSPIRES system by May 7, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.
This procurement carries no set-aside designation and does not identify any current incumbents or contractors. No specific award value or budget ceiling has been established for this RFI, as NASA is seeking information on commercially viable approaches with respondent-provided cost estimates. The mission must launch realistically by Quarter 3 of Fiscal Year 2029, establishing the critical timeline constraint for development and deployment. All responses are subject to Section 526 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, which prohibits bilateral relationships with China, and respondents may not submit confidential, proprietary, export-controlled, or ITAR-restricted information. The RFI invites various partnership arrangements including data purchases only, co-funding technology development, or fully commercial venture demonstrations, providing flexibility in how organizations may propose their involvement with the FALCON constellation initiative.
Notice text
4 versions
Update #4 · Latest ·
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is soliciting information on low-cost concepts for the development, launch, and operations of a radiometer component to fly in formation with the Fleet for the Atmosphere Linking Commercial Observations with NASA (FALCON). For this Request for Information (RFI), NASA is targeting a commercially owned and operated microwave radiometer capability to fly in formation with the NASA constellation. The instrument, supporting platform, launch, and operations should fully leverage commercial capabilities, and this RFI invites recommendations on the most effective approaches to facilitate this.
This RFI seeks responses broadly from industry, universities, non-profit organizations, individuals, NASA centers, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), other U.S. federal, state, local, and tribal government agencies, and the international community. NOTE: Responses are subject to the restrictions placed on NASA by Section 526 of the ‘‘Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024’’ and all applicable subsequent Appropriations Acts that prohibit bilateral relationships with China. Details of the restriction are at: https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/faqs/prc-faq-roses/.
See the following attachment for full details: RFI_for_Radiometer_final2 3.24.26.pdf
Amendment 0001: The RFI response date is extended through May 14, 2026.
Amendment 0002: The RFI response date is corrected to May 7, 2026. This due date supersedes any previously listed due dates in earlier postings or attachments.
Update #3 ·
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is soliciting information on low-cost concepts for the development, launch, and operations of a radiometer component to fly in formation with the Fleet for the Atmosphere Linking Commercial Observations with NASA (FALCON). For this Request for Information (RFI), NASA is targeting a commercially owned and operated microwave radiometer capability to fly in formation with the NASA constellation. The instrument, supporting platform, launch, and operations should fully leverage commercial capabilities, and this RFI invites recommendations on the most effective approaches to facilitate this.
This RFI seeks responses broadly from industry, universities, non-profit organizations, individuals, NASA centers, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), other U.S. federal, state, local, and tribal government agencies, and the international community. NOTE: Responses are subject to the restrictions placed on NASA by Section 526 of the ‘‘Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024’’ and all applicable subsequent Appropriations Acts that prohibit bilateral relationships with China. Details of the restriction are at: https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/faqs/prc-faq-roses/.
See the following attachment for full details: RFI_for_Radiometer_final2 3.24.26.pdf
Amendment 0001: The RFI response date is extended through May 14, 2026.
Amendment 0002: The RFI response date is corrected to May 7, 2026.
Update #2 ·
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is soliciting information on low-cost concepts for the development, launch, and operations of a radiometer component to fly in formation with the Fleet for the Atmosphere Linking Commercial Observations with NASA (FALCON). For this Request for Information (RFI), NASA is targeting a commercially owned and operated microwave radiometer capability to fly in formation with the NASA constellation. The instrument, supporting platform, launch, and operations should fully leverage commercial capabilities, and this RFI invites recommendations on the most effective approaches to facilitate this.
This RFI seeks responses broadly from industry, universities, non-profit organizations, individuals, NASA centers, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), other U.S. federal, state, local, and tribal government agencies, and the international community. NOTE: Responses are subject to the restrictions placed on NASA by Section 526 of the ‘‘Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024’’ and all applicable subsequent Appropriations Acts that prohibit bilateral relationships with China. Details of the restriction are at: https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/faqs/prc-faq-roses/.
See the following attachment for full details: RFI_for_Radiometer_final2 3.24.26.pdf
Amendment 0001: The RFI response date is extended through May 14, 2026.
Update #1 ·
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is soliciting information on low-cost concepts for the development, launch, and operations of a radiometer component to fly in formation with the Fleet for the Atmosphere Linking Commercial Observations with NASA (FALCON). For this Request for Information (RFI), NASA is targeting a commercially owned and operated microwave radiometer capability to fly in formation with the NASA constellation. The instrument, supporting platform, launch, and operations should fully leverage commercial capabilities, and this RFI invites recommendations on the most effective approaches to facilitate this.
This RFI seeks responses broadly from industry, universities, non-profit organizations, individuals, NASA centers, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), other U.S. federal, state, local, and tribal government agencies, and the international community. NOTE: Responses are subject to the restrictions placed on NASA by Section 526 of the ‘‘Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024’’ and all applicable subsequent Appropriations Acts that prohibit bilateral relationships with China. Details of the restriction are at: https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/faqs/prc-faq-roses/.
See the following attachment for full details: RFI_for_Radiometer_final2 3.24.26.pdf
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| RFI_for_Radiometer_final2 3.24.26.pdf |
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