Sources Sought - Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Communications Ground Systems
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- 80GRC024Q0002SS
- Agency
-
Glenn Research Center
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 517810 All Other Telecommunications
- PSC
- Not on record
- Place of performance
- Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
NASA Glenn Research Center is seeking commercial capabilities to develop the Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Communications Ground Systems, which will provide communications for vehicles transiting between Earth, cislunar space, the Gateway in near-rectilinear halo orbit, the lunar surface, and Earth-Sun Lagrange points. The agency requires turnkey ground stations at three locations: NASA's White Sands Complex in New Mexico, Matjiesfontein in South Africa, and Western Australia, with all non-antenna equipment assembled into containerized mobile telecommunications stations. NASA will provide antenna subsystems as Government Furnished Equipment, along with installation pads, power, and data interfaces. Interested firms must submit capability statements of no more than 10 pages describing their experience developing communication ground stations domestically and internationally, with preference for experience in South Africa and Australia, and must indicate whether they consider the requirement commercial or commercial-type. The original response deadline was extended to February 26, 2025, with questions due by February 19, 2025, though the acquisition is currently on hold due to budgetary uncertainty as of July 2025.
The government reserves the right to consider various small business set-asides including Small, 8(a), Women-owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-owned, Economically Disadvantaged Women-owned, or HUBZone business designations based on responses received. Eleven vendors expressed interest in the opportunity, including major contractors such as KBR, Raytheon Company, Peraton Inc., and SSC Space US Inc., along with smaller firms like Archer Tactical Group, Auria, and BCubed. The system requirements specify comprehensive technical capabilities including 1.5 Gbps or greater simultaneous data throughput, 99% operational availability over 10,000 hour periods, and support for both X-band and Ka-band frequencies with data rates up to 200 Msps for Ka-band operations. The original acquisition timeline targeted a draft RFP release in May/June 2025, final RFP in July 2025, and contract award by October/November 2025, with GFE antenna installations planned for completion by December 2025 for the domestic site and June 2026 for international locations. The project operates under a Government Owned, Contractor Operated model with automated operations requiring only 8-hour staffing Monday through Friday for routine missions.
Notice text
5 versions
Update #5 · Latest ·
********************** NOTICE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES *********************
This notice is to inform all interested offerors that, due to the current uncertainty in our budgetary situation, NASA’s acquisition plans for the Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Communications Ground Systems is on HOLD. Please note that, as of the date of this notice, this is a HOLD, not a cancellation.
NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) Office of Procurement will provide further updates through SAM.gov as soon as more information becomes available. It is the responsibility of interested offerors to monitor this site for any updates or releases.
Should any interested offerors have questions or require further clarification, please contact the Point of Contact (POC) listed herein.
********************** NOTICE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES *********************
Amendment 2: Publicizing the interested parties list. The response deadline has not been extended.
Amendment 1: Extending Sources Sought notice response deadline to 2/26/2025 at 5:00pm ET. Questions shall be submitted by 2/19/2025 at 5:00pm ET.
NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) is hereby soliciting information from potential sources for the Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Communications Ground Systems.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) GRC is seeking capability statements from all interested parties for the purposes of determining the appropriate level of competition and/or small business subcontracting goals for Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Communications Ground Systems. The Government reserves the right to consider a Small, 8(a), Women-owned (WOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran (SD-VOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-owned Small Business (EDWOSB) or HUBZone business set-aside based on responses received.
NASA seeks a commercial capability to develop a ground system to provide communications for vehicles transiting from the Earth to cislunar space, the Gateway in near-rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO), the Lunar surface, and Earth-Sun L1 and L2 LaGrange Points. This RFI will assist in refining the planning and execution of the Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Government Owned, Contractor Operated (GOCO) effort for NASA.
There will be three ground stations at the following locations:
- LEGS-1 Location: NASA’s White Sands Complex in White Sands, New Mexico
- LEGS-2 Location: Matjiesfontein, South Africa
- LEGS-3 Location: Western Australia, specific site to be determined.
NASA seeks commercial capabilities to deliver a turnkey ground station at each site, except for the antenna subsystem, which will be provided as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). The government seeks a containerized solution, whereby non-antenna equipment is assembled into a mobile telecommunications station that can be assembled, tested, shipped and installed on each site. The contractor will be provided a pad to locate the ground station on, as well as power and data interfaces.
The technical requirements for the LEGS System can be found in Appendix A of this announcement. The technical approach to use the cloud for data distribution and the containerized mobile telecommunications station represent a deviation from the previously released Request For Information (RFI) Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) located here: https://sam.gov/opp/9a60433200b544fe8c57750f85e85731/view. Refer to Appendix B and D of the RFI for the GFE Antenna Description and Commercial Architecture Security Questionnaire, respectively, which are still valid.
No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov. Interested firms are responsible for monitoring this website for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.
Interested firms having the required capabilities necessary to meet or exceed the requirements described herein should submit a capability statement of no more than 10 pages indicating the ability to perform all aspects of the effort. Describe past experience with developing communication ground stations within the United States as well as international locations; with preference in South Africa and Australia.
Please advise if the requirement is considered a commercial or commercial-type product. A commercial product and commercial service is defined in FAR 2.101.
All responses shall be submitted electronically via email to Tyler Braden at tyler.r.braden@nasa.gov no later than February 19, 2025 at 5:00pm ET. Please reference Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Communications Ground Systems in any response.
This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.
NASA may publicize a listing of respondents to facilitate teaming arrangements. Should your firm desire not to be included in this listing, clearly indicate this desire in your response.
Update #4 ·
Amendment 2: Publicizing the interested parties list. The response deadline has not been extended.
Amendment 1: Extending Sources Sought notice response deadline to 2/26/2025 at 5:00pm ET. Questions shall be submitted by 2/19/2025 at 5:00pm ET.
NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) is hereby soliciting information from potential sources for the Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Communications Ground Systems.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) GRC is seeking capability statements from all interested parties for the purposes of determining the appropriate level of competition and/or small business subcontracting goals for Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Communications Ground Systems. The Government reserves the right to consider a Small, 8(a), Women-owned (WOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran (SD-VOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-owned Small Business (EDWOSB) or HUBZone business set-aside based on responses received.
NASA seeks a commercial capability to develop a ground system to provide communications for vehicles transiting from the Earth to cislunar space, the Gateway in near-rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO), the Lunar surface, and Earth-Sun L1 and L2 LaGrange Points. This RFI will assist in refining the planning and execution of the Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Government Owned, Contractor Operated (GOCO) effort for NASA.
There will be three ground stations at the following locations:
- LEGS-1 Location: NASA’s White Sands Complex in White Sands, New Mexico
- LEGS-2 Location: Matjiesfontein, South Africa
- LEGS-3 Location: Western Australia, specific site to be determined.
NASA seeks commercial capabilities to deliver a turnkey ground station at each site, except for the antenna subsystem, which will be provided as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). The government seeks a containerized solution, whereby non-antenna equipment is assembled into a mobile telecommunications station that can be assembled, tested, shipped and installed on each site. The contractor will be provided a pad to locate the ground station on, as well as power and data interfaces.
The technical requirements for the LEGS System can be found in Appendix A of this announcement. The technical approach to use the cloud for data distribution and the containerized mobile telecommunications station represent a deviation from the previously released Request For Information (RFI) Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) located here: https://sam.gov/opp/9a60433200b544fe8c57750f85e85731/view. Refer to Appendix B and D of the RFI for the GFE Antenna Description and Commercial Architecture Security Questionnaire, respectively, which are still valid.
No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov. Interested firms are responsible for monitoring this website for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.
Interested firms having the required capabilities necessary to meet or exceed the requirements described herein should submit a capability statement of no more than 10 pages indicating the ability to perform all aspects of the effort. Describe past experience with developing communication ground stations within the United States as well as international locations; with preference in South Africa and Australia.
Please advise if the requirement is considered a commercial or commercial-type product. A commercial product and commercial service is defined in FAR 2.101.
All responses shall be submitted electronically via email to Tyler Braden at tyler.r.braden@nasa.gov no later than February 19, 2025 at 5:00pm ET. Please reference Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Communications Ground Systems in any response.
This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.
NASA may publicize a listing of respondents to facilitate teaming arrangements. Should your firm desire not to be included in this listing, clearly indicate this desire in your response.
Update #3 ·
Amendment 1: Extending Sources Sought notice response deadline to 2/26/2025 at 5:00pm ET. Questions shall be submitted by 2/19/2025 at 5:00pm ET.
NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) is hereby soliciting information from potential sources for the Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Communications Ground Systems.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) GRC is seeking capability statements from all interested parties for the purposes of determining the appropriate level of competition and/or small business subcontracting goals for Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Communications Ground Systems. The Government reserves the right to consider a Small, 8(a), Women-owned (WOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran (SD-VOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-owned Small Business (EDWOSB) or HUBZone business set-aside based on responses received.
NASA seeks a commercial capability to develop a ground system to provide communications for vehicles transiting from the Earth to cislunar space, the Gateway in near-rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO), the Lunar surface, and Earth-Sun L1 and L2 LaGrange Points. This RFI will assist in refining the planning and execution of the Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Government Owned, Contractor Operated (GOCO) effort for NASA.
There will be three ground stations at the following locations:
- LEGS-1 Location: NASA’s White Sands Complex in White Sands, New Mexico
- LEGS-2 Location: Matjiesfontein, South Africa
- LEGS-3 Location: Western Australia, specific site to be determined.
NASA seeks commercial capabilities to deliver a turnkey ground station at each site, except for the antenna subsystem, which will be provided as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). The government seeks a containerized solution, whereby non-antenna equipment is assembled into a mobile telecommunications station that can be assembled, tested, shipped and installed on each site. The contractor will be provided a pad to locate the ground station on, as well as power and data interfaces.
The technical requirements for the LEGS System can be found in Appendix A of this announcement. The technical approach to use the cloud for data distribution and the containerized mobile telecommunications station represent a deviation from the previously released Request For Information (RFI) Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) located here: https://sam.gov/opp/9a60433200b544fe8c57750f85e85731/view. Refer to Appendix B and D of the RFI for the GFE Antenna Description and Commercial Architecture Security Questionnaire, respectively, which are still valid.
No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov. Interested firms are responsible for monitoring this website for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.
Interested firms having the required capabilities necessary to meet or exceed the requirements described herein should submit a capability statement of no more than 10 pages indicating the ability to perform all aspects of the effort. Describe past experience with developing communication ground stations within the United States as well as international locations; with preference in South Africa and Australia.
Please advise if the requirement is considered a commercial or commercial-type product. A commercial product and commercial service is defined in FAR 2.101.
All responses shall be submitted electronically via email to Tyler Braden at tyler.r.braden@nasa.gov no later than February 19, 2025 at 5:00pm ET. Please reference Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Communications Ground Systems in any response.
This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.
NASA may publicize a listing of respondents to facilitate teaming arrangements. Should your firm desire not to be included in this listing, clearly indicate this desire in your response.
Update #2 ·
Amendment 1: Extending Sources Sought notice response deadline to 2/26/2025 at 5:00pm ET.
NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) is hereby soliciting information from potential sources for the Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Communications Ground Systems.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) GRC is seeking capability statements from all interested parties for the purposes of determining the appropriate level of competition and/or small business subcontracting goals for Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Communications Ground Systems. The Government reserves the right to consider a Small, 8(a), Women-owned (WOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran (SD-VOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-owned Small Business (EDWOSB) or HUBZone business set-aside based on responses received.
NASA seeks a commercial capability to develop a ground system to provide communications for vehicles transiting from the Earth to cislunar space, the Gateway in near-rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO), the Lunar surface, and Earth-Sun L1 and L2 LaGrange Points. This RFI will assist in refining the planning and execution of the Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Government Owned, Contractor Operated (GOCO) effort for NASA.
There will be three ground stations at the following locations:
- LEGS-1 Location: NASA’s White Sands Complex in White Sands, New Mexico
- LEGS-2 Location: Matjiesfontein, South Africa
- LEGS-3 Location: Western Australia, specific site to be determined.
NASA seeks commercial capabilities to deliver a turnkey ground station at each site, except for the antenna subsystem, which will be provided as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). The government seeks a containerized solution, whereby non-antenna equipment is assembled into a mobile telecommunications station that can be assembled, tested, shipped and installed on each site. The contractor will be provided a pad to locate the ground station on, as well as power and data interfaces.
The technical requirements for the LEGS System can be found in Appendix A of this announcement. The technical approach to use the cloud for data distribution and the containerized mobile telecommunications station represent a deviation from the previously released Request For Information (RFI) Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) located here: https://sam.gov/opp/9a60433200b544fe8c57750f85e85731/view. Refer to Appendix B and D of the RFI for the GFE Antenna Description and Commercial Architecture Security Questionnaire, respectively, which are still valid.
No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov. Interested firms are responsible for monitoring this website for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.
Interested firms having the required capabilities necessary to meet or exceed the requirements described herein should submit a capability statement of no more than 10 pages indicating the ability to perform all aspects of the effort. Describe past experience with developing communication ground stations within the United States as well as international locations; with preference in South Africa and Australia.
Please advise if the requirement is considered a commercial or commercial-type product. A commercial product and commercial service is defined in FAR 2.101.
All responses shall be submitted electronically via email to Tyler Braden at tyler.r.braden@nasa.gov no later than February 19, 2025 at 5:00pm ET. Please reference Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Communications Ground Systems in any response.
This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.
NASA may publicize a listing of respondents to facilitate teaming arrangements. Should your firm desire not to be included in this listing, clearly indicate this desire in your response.
Update #1 ·
NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) is hereby soliciting information from potential sources for the Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Communications Ground Systems.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) GRC is seeking capability statements from all interested parties for the purposes of determining the appropriate level of competition and/or small business subcontracting goals for Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Communications Ground Systems. The Government reserves the right to consider a Small, 8(a), Women-owned (WOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran (SD-VOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-owned Small Business (EDWOSB) or HUBZone business set-aside based on responses received.
NASA seeks a commercial capability to develop a ground system to provide communications for vehicles transiting from the Earth to cislunar space, the Gateway in near-rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO), the Lunar surface, and Earth-Sun L1 and L2 LaGrange Points. This RFI will assist in refining the planning and execution of the Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Government Owned, Contractor Operated (GOCO) effort for NASA.
There will be three ground stations at the following locations:
- LEGS-1 Location: NASA’s White Sands Complex in White Sands, New Mexico
- LEGS-2 Location: Matjiesfontein, South Africa
- LEGS-3 Location: Western Australia, specific site to be determined.
NASA seeks commercial capabilities to deliver a turnkey ground station at each site, except for the antenna subsystem, which will be provided as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). The government seeks a containerized solution, whereby non-antenna equipment is assembled into a mobile telecommunications station that can be assembled, tested, shipped and installed on each site. The contractor will be provided a pad to locate the ground station on, as well as power and data interfaces.
The technical requirements for the LEGS System can be found in Appendix A of this announcement. The technical approach to use the cloud for data distribution and the containerized mobile telecommunications station represent a deviation from the previously released Request For Information (RFI) Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) located here: https://sam.gov/opp/9a60433200b544fe8c57750f85e85731/view. Refer to Appendix B and D of the RFI for the GFE Antenna Description and Commercial Architecture Security Questionnaire, respectively, which are still valid.
No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov. Interested firms are responsible for monitoring this website for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.
Interested firms having the required capabilities necessary to meet or exceed the requirements described herein should submit a capability statement of no more than 10 pages indicating the ability to perform all aspects of the effort. Describe past experience with developing communication ground stations within the United States as well as international locations; with preference in South Africa and Australia.
Please advise if the requirement is considered a commercial or commercial-type product. A commercial product and commercial service is defined in FAR 2.101.
All responses shall be submitted electronically via email to Tyler Braden at tyler.r.braden@nasa.gov no later than February 19, 2025 at 5:00pm ET. Please reference Commercial Development of Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Communications Ground Systems in any response.
This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.
NASA may publicize a listing of respondents to facilitate teaming arrangements. Should your firm desire not to be included in this listing, clearly indicate this desire in your response.
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| Opportunity | Agency | Set-aside | Responses due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intent to Sole Source - Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) Public Private Partnership (PPP) | Glenn Research Center | No set-aside |
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