Spaceflight Engineering Model of Laser Electro-Optical Module.

NASA's National Space Science Center (NSSC) has issued a Special Notice for a sole source procurement of a Spaceflight Engineering Model of Laser Electro-Optical Module, set aside for small businesses. The notice indicates NASA's intent to award a contract to Arete Associates, Inc. for modification of their AIRTRAC laser (Part Number NLRC701064AMIDSP) to operate in vacuum and zero-gravity environments. This procurement falls under NAICS Code 334516 for Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing and will utilize commercial item procedures from FAR Parts 12 and 13. The contract performance will take place at NASA Langley Research Center with a delivery timeline of 36 weeks after receipt of order.

The primary objective of this procurement is to qualify the AIRTRAC laser system for spaceflight applications while maintaining identical performance specifications to the standard model and ensuring compatibility with existing electronic driver/controller systems. Interested organizations have until 4:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on August 15, 2025, to submit written capabilities and qualifications statements demonstrating their ability to perform this specialized work. NASA will evaluate these submissions solely to determine whether to conduct the procurement on a competitive basis rather than as a sole source award. The deliverables include a complete modified laser system with comprehensive documentation, operational manuals, mechanical and electrical interface documents, and relevant test results. Only written communications are acceptable for this opportunity, and the government reserves final discretion in determining the procurement approach.