Request for Information _ Creation of The United States Space Academy
Open Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- NASA-USSA-RFI
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 531 Real Estate
- Place of performance
- Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
NASA issued a Request for Information on November 16, 2026, inviting each State to submit one official response identifying potential locations and operating solutions for the United States Space Academy, a new civilian federal academic institution established by Executive Order 14423. Each State's response must be prepared by a Governor-designated Responding Entity and coordinated by a State Selecting Official, with the Governor formally designating both in writing.
NASA seeks information in three areas: permanent campus location plans on a minimum of 300 acres supporting 1,200 undergraduate students by Fall 2031 with future expansion to approximately 4,000 students, including groundbreaking no later than 2027; interim academic instruction plans for 2028 when an inaugural class of approximately 300 students will begin, with transition to permanent campus by 2031; and financial capability assessments including rough-order-of-magnitude establishment costs and State, local, and partner resource commitments. NASA-owned land at NASA centers is acceptable; site control for federal property should be demonstrated through information about ownership, suitability, and availability. Responses are limited to 47 pages in Times New Roman, size 12 font, submitted as searchable PDFs to HQ-NASA-USSA@mail.nasa.gov. The RFI is explicitly non-binding and will not result in contract awards; information will inform NASA's recommendation to the Presidential Commission, which advises the President on final site selection. A Questions and Answers document was updated as of October 6, 2026, addressing clarifications on submission requirements and site selection criteria.
Notice text
4 versions
Update #4 · Latest ·
On Aug. 28, 2026, President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14423, Establishing the United States Space Academy.
To answer that call, the United States Space Academy (USSA) is envisioned as a NASA-led, civilian Federal academic institution that combines rigorous technical education with disciplined leadership development, civic responsibility, and a lasting commitment to public service. The Academy will prepare future scientists, engineers, astronauts, pilots, operators, entrepreneurs, civil servants, warfighters, and other leaders to advance American interests across the aerospace sector.
Through this Request for Information (RFI), NASA invites each State to submit one official State-sponsored response prepared by a “Responding Entity” and coordinated and formally endorsed by a State Selecting Official. The Governor must designate both the Responding Entity and the State Selecting Official in writing. The response should provide information to support NASA’s assessment of potential locations and operating solutions for the United States Space Academy (USSA). That assessment will inform NASA’s recommendation to the Commission.
NASA’s objectives for this announcement are to:
- Identify potential locations for the permanent establishment of the USSA campus, including a groundbreaking no later than 2027.
- Identify interim solutions that may allow the USSA to begin instruction in 2028 and facilitate a smooth transition to a permanent campus by 2031.
- Explore the estimated costs of establishing the USSA and potential state, local, and other non-Federal partnerships that could support its establishment.
Information obtained through this RFI will be used by NASA and the Commission to develop the recommended process for selecting the Academy’s permanent physical location, which will be reported to the President for decision. A separate announcement for formal proposals may be issued at a later date.
UPDATES MADE AS OF 10.2.26:
Question and Answers Document attached.
UPDATES MADE AS OF 10.7.26:
Updated Question and Answers Document attached.
UPDATES MADE AS OF 10.9.26:
RFI extended until November 16, 2026.
Update #3 ·
On Aug. 28, 2026, President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14423, Establishing the United States Space Academy.
To answer that call, the United States Space Academy (USSA) is envisioned as a NASA-led, civilian Federal academic institution that combines rigorous technical education with disciplined leadership development, civic responsibility, and a lasting commitment to public service. The Academy will prepare future scientists, engineers, astronauts, pilots, operators, entrepreneurs, civil servants, warfighters, and other leaders to advance American interests across the aerospace sector.
Through this Request for Information (RFI), NASA invites each State to submit one official State-sponsored response prepared by a “Responding Entity” and coordinated and formally endorsed by a State Selecting Official. The Governor must designate both the Responding Entity and the State Selecting Official in writing. The response should provide information to support NASA’s assessment of potential locations and operating solutions for the United States Space Academy (USSA). That assessment will inform NASA’s recommendation to the Commission.
NASA’s objectives for this announcement are to:
- Identify potential locations for the permanent establishment of the USSA campus, including a groundbreaking no later than 2027.
- Identify interim solutions that may allow the USSA to begin instruction in 2028 and facilitate a smooth transition to a permanent campus by 2031.
- Explore the estimated costs of establishing the USSA and potential state, local, and other non-Federal partnerships that could support its establishment.
Information obtained through this RFI will be used by NASA and the Commission to develop the recommended process for selecting the Academy’s permanent physical location, which will be reported to the President for decision. A separate announcement for formal proposals may be issued at a later date.
UPDATES MADE AS OF 10.2.26:
Question and Answers Document attached.
UPDATES MADE AS OF 10.7.26:
Updated Question and Answers Document attached.
Update #2 ·
On Aug. 28, 2026, President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14423, Establishing the United States Space Academy.
To answer that call, the United States Space Academy (USSA) is envisioned as a NASA-led, civilian Federal academic institution that combines rigorous technical education with disciplined leadership development, civic responsibility, and a lasting commitment to public service. The Academy will prepare future scientists, engineers, astronauts, pilots, operators, entrepreneurs, civil servants, warfighters, and other leaders to advance American interests across the aerospace sector.
Through this Request for Information (RFI), NASA invites each State to submit one official State-sponsored response prepared by a “Responding Entity” and coordinated and formally endorsed by a State Selecting Official. The Governor must designate both the Responding Entity and the State Selecting Official in writing. The response should provide information to support NASA’s assessment of potential locations and operating solutions for the United States Space Academy (USSA). That assessment will inform NASA’s recommendation to the Commission.
NASA’s objectives for this announcement are to:
- Identify potential locations for the permanent establishment of the USSA campus, including a groundbreaking no later than 2027.
- Identify interim solutions that may allow the USSA to begin instruction in 2028 and facilitate a smooth transition to a permanent campus by 2031.
- Explore the estimated costs of establishing the USSA and potential state, local, and other non-Federal partnerships that could support its establishment.
Information obtained through this RFI will be used by NASA and the Commission to develop the recommended process for selecting the Academy’s permanent physical location, which will be reported to the President for decision. A separate announcement for formal proposals may be issued at a later date.
UPDATES MADE AS OF 10.2.26:
Question and Answers Document attached.
Update #1 ·
On Aug. 28, 2026, President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14423, Establishing the United States Space Academy.
To answer that call, the United States Space Academy (USSA) is envisioned as a NASA-led, civilian Federal academic institution that combines rigorous technical education with disciplined leadership development, civic responsibility, and a lasting commitment to public service. The Academy will prepare future scientists, engineers, astronauts, pilots, operators, entrepreneurs, civil servants, warfighters, and other leaders to advance American interests across the aerospace sector.
Through this Request for Information (RFI), NASA invites each State to submit one official State-sponsored response prepared by a “Responding Entity” and coordinated and formally endorsed by a State Selecting Official. The Governor must designate both the Responding Entity and the State Selecting Official in writing. The response should provide information to support NASA’s assessment of potential locations and operating solutions for the United States Space Academy (USSA). That assessment will inform NASA’s recommendation to the Commission.
NASA’s objectives for this announcement are to:
- Identify potential locations for the permanent establishment of the USSA campus, including a groundbreaking no later than 2027.
- Identify interim solutions that may allow the USSA to begin instruction in 2028 and facilitate a smooth transition to a permanent campus by 2031.
- Explore the estimated costs of establishing the USSA and potential state, local, and other non-Federal partnerships that could support its establishment.
Information obtained through this RFI will be used by NASA and the Commission to develop the recommended process for selecting the Academy’s permanent physical location, which will be reported to the President for decision. A separate announcement for formal proposals may be issued at a later date.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| FINAL RFI_USSA_UPDATED Due Date.pdf | ||
| USSA Questions_10.6.pdf | ||
| QA for USSA.pdf | ||
| NASA - USSA - RFI - For Final Release.pdf |
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