Vulcan Centaur V Upper Stage for Space Launch System
Limited / Sole Source Justification Posted
- Solicitation number
- 80MSFC-VC5-JOFOC
- Agency
-
Marshall Space Flight Center
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 336415 Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing
- Place of performance
- Centennial, Colorado 80112, United States
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center issued a sole-source justification notice on March 6, 2026, for the procurement of Vulcan Centaur V upper stages from United Launch Alliance (ULA) to support the Artemis IV and Artemis V Space Launch System (SLS) missions. The requirement encompasses the production, delivery, inspection, acceptance, and sustaining engineering of two flight units and one flight spare upper stage unit, along with associated line replacement units, with delivery targeted for missions planned in early and late 2028. NASA determined that ULA's Centaur is the only existing in-space propulsion stage capable of meeting the highly specialized design parameters, including approximately 60,000 lbs lift capability on orbit, delta-V greater than 3,050 m/s with three engine ignitions, and human-rating requirements, while also meeting the compressed schedule requirements. The agency's market research evaluated Blue Origin's New Glenn Upper Stage but concluded it would require significant modifications, full-scale development and testing, and result in unacceptable schedule delays, justifying the sole-source award to ULA. The contract was awarded on October 23, 2026, with an estimated performance period of approximately six years; however, the specific contract value and final vendor details remain to be determined, as indicated in the posting.
Notice text
NASA/MSFC has a requirement for next-generation upper stages for use in Space Launch System (SLS) Artemis IV and Artemis V.
NASA/MSFC intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire next-generation upper stages for use in Space Launch System (SLS) Artemis IV and Artemis V from United Launch Alliance (ULA) in accordance with FAR 6.103-1(c), Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements due to the highly specialized nature of this requirement
A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis is solely within the discretion of the Government.
The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at : https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf
Awarded contract TBD to unknown vendor for unknown amount on 2026-10-23.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| 20260306 JOFOC VC5_Redacted.pdf |
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