Support of NASA Student Launch Initiative

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center (NASA/NSSC) has published a Special Notice regarding support services for the 2025-2026 NASA Student Launch Initiative. Posted on December 2, 2025, this Special Notice seeks a vendor to provide comprehensive launch operations and support for a competitive student rocketry program. NASA intends to award a sole source contract to The National Association of Rocketry under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), though interested organizations may submit capability statements to demonstrate why the procurement should be conducted competitively. The performance location is NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, and the contract falls under NAICS Code 611710 (Educational Support Services). All correspondence must reference Notice ID 80NSSC26918333Q to ensure proper visibility.

The NASA Student Launch Initiative encompasses two competitive challenges: the Student Launch Initiative (SLI) for middle and high school participants and the University Student Launch Initiative (USLI) for college and university teams. Both programs culminate in rocket launches scheduled for April 23-25, 2026 (with April 26 as a contingency rain date) at Bragg Farms in Alabama. Interested vendors must submit written capability statements and qualifications by 12:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on December 5, 2025, with only written submissions accepted—oral communications are not permissible. The selected contractor will be responsible for range operations, launch equipment, safety officers, design review coordination, and overall launch support services, with performance extending from contract award through May 31, 2026. The payment structure includes 50% payment at two designated milestone points during the period of performance.