SKOUT LEO Flight Test

NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has a requirement for integrating and flight testing a low-cost, small-satellite-class, Ka-band phased array antenna for direct-to-earth communications links in support of the NASA SmallSat Ka-band Operations User Terminal (SKOUT) project.

NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire the services from Cesium Astro. This effort is to flight demonstrate the government SKOUT architecture, a Ka band actively phased array antenna (APAA). The APAA is one component of communications terminal required to transmit and receive data using experimental government waveforms. This hardware will need to be integrated onto a host bus, or satellite, for demonstration in low earth orbit (LEO). The APAA and terminal were developed by Cesium Astro. Cesium Astro is the only company who can successfully integrate the APAA, the controller, the software defined radio, frequency modulator, and power conditioning unit into the host bus. Interfacing with the hardware will require Cesium Astro intellectual property and expertise in phased array development.

The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12.

Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Tyler Braden at tyler.r.braden@nasa.gov not later than 12:00 pm EDT on April 21, 2022.Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/publibrary/Omb.html