Special Test Equipment (STE) Vacuum Chambers, Thermal Shroud, and Thermal Conditioning Units (TCU)
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
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- Solicitation number
- 80GRC026RFI01
- Agency
-
Glenn Research Center
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 332420 Metal Tank (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing
- Place of performance
- Cleveland, Ohio 44135, United States
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
NASA Glenn Research Center is issuing a Request for Information on Special Test Equipment—vacuum chambers, thermal shrouds, and Thermal Conditioning Units—with responses due by May 6, 2026. This is a market-research RFI, not a formal procurement vehicle; respondents are invited to comment on feasibility, provide rough-order-of-magnitude costs and lead times, and indicate interest in collaboration. Entities need not be able to supply all components to respond.
NASA seeks two large vacuum chambers (10 feet tall × 11 feet wide × 20 feet long interior) and three smaller chambers (9 feet tall × 9 feet wide × 18 feet long interior). All must achieve vacuum levels of 5×10⁻⁸ Torr with leak rates of 5×10⁻⁹ STD ATM CC/SEC or better, feature fully welded non-sectional construction with internal fusion vacuum welds, and handle temperatures from 77 Kelvin to 340–425 Kelvin depending on chamber type. The large chambers require three 60-inch flange-mounted ports and recessed pit installation with specialized door solutions for test article loading without cranes or forklifts. Smaller chambers require two 42-inch flange ports and swinging doors. All must accommodate lunar simulant soil testing (JSC-1/1A) and comply with ASME BPVC Section VIII fabrication standards by manufacturers with ASME Code Stamps or equivalent quality assurance.
Thermal shrouds must reject 100 kilowatts of heat load (large chambers) or 1–10 kilowatts (smaller chambers) using fully flooded liquid nitrogen systems with Multi-Layer Insulation and high-emissivity interior paint. Thermal Conditioning Units for smaller chambers must provide precise temperature control from 90 Kelvin to 425 Kelvin with minimum 10 kilowatts refrigeration and heating capacity using N₂ working fluid.
Submissions are limited to 50 pages in PDF format and must be sent to paige.e.foreman@nasa.gov by April 27, 2026, 3:00 PM EST, referencing solicitation number 80GRC026RFI01.
Notice text
This notice is issued by the NASA/Glenn Research Center (GRC) to post a Request for Information (RFI) on understanding the development needs for Special Test Equipment (STE) vacuum chambers, thermal shroud, and Thermal Conditioning Units (TCU). This RFI solicits responses from interested parties. This document is for information and planning purposes only while allowing industry the opportunity to comment on the reasonableness and feasibility of such equipment and whether or not there may be an interest to collaborate on such equipment. NASA would also like ROM costs and lead times for the equipment listed below. An entity does not need to be able to supply all components to respond to this RFI.
Files
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 to Solicitation 80GRC026R0011 Special Test Equipment (STE) Vacuum Chamber 3 (Chamber Shell, Thermal Shroud, and Thermal Conditioning Unit (TCU) | Solicitation | |
| This notice | Pre-Solicitation |
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