Space Power and Reactor Capabilities (SPARC) - Draft Request for Proposals (DRFP)

NASA Glenn Research Center is preparing to solicit a Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (MAIDIQ) contract for Space Power and Reactor Capabilities (SPARC) to design, develop, test, and deliver space nuclear systems, with final RFP release anticipated on or about November 15, 2026, and contract award expected April 15, 2027.

This is full and open competition with no set-aside. The estimated ceiling is $350 million across a firm fixed-price IDIQ with period of performance from April 15, 2027, through December 31, 2031. Ordering period and contract management will be administered across NASA Glenn Research Center and other NASA centers, Federal facilities, and contractor facilities as proposed and agreed. NAICS is 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences), with small business size standard of 1,000 employees.

The solicitation includes an Awardable Sample Task Order (ASTO) for Lunar Reactor-1 (LR-1) Phase 1—a hardware-driven preliminary design review for a 20 kilowatt-electric fission power system targeted for lunar surface deployment by December 2030. The LR-1 Phase 1 task requires engineering design, non-nuclear hardware demonstrations, component-level radiation exposure testing, and delivery of an electrically heated integrated system test unit within 18 months of award. The system must operate continuously for five years on the lunar south pole, deliver no less than 20 kWe at 3 kVRMS, accommodate variable user loads 0–100 percent of rated output, maintain mass under 15,000 kg, and comply with NSPM-20, DOE standards, and NIST SP 800-53 cyber security requirements.

Offerors must submit organizational conflict of interest plans, small business utilization and subcontracting plans (for non-small business primes), IT security documentation (including compliance with FISMA, NIST SP 800-171, and NASA supply chain risk management standards), past performance questionnaires, earned value management system capabilities (for future task orders), and cost proposals using standardized templates including monthly financial reports (NF 533M/533Q forms). Contractors must maintain Government property management systems and systems for cost reporting on cost-reimbursable efforts where applicable. Technical data, computer software, and documentation developed under Government Task Agreements must be delivered to NASA with Government Purpose Rights within 60 calendar days of performance conclusion.

An Industry Day was held September 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio, with one-on-one sessions available for prime offeror candidates. Comments on the Draft RFP closed September 25, 2026, addressed to Contracting Officer Noah Garrison (noah.s.garrison@nasa.gov). The final RFP is expected approximately 45 days after Draft RFP comments close, with proposals due approximately 30 days thereafter. Contracting Officer is Noah Garrison; Ombudsman is Marvin Horne.