Request for Information RFI #2026-01-VCSFA - Industry Capability and Interest in Development and Operation of a Payload Processing Facility

The Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (VCSFA) is issuing Request for Information (RFI) #2026-01-VCSFA to solicit industry input regarding the development and operation of a new Payload Processing Facility (PPF) at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) located at Wallops Island in Accomack County, Virginia. This RFI seeks qualified vendors interested in financing, designing, constructing, owning, operating, and maintaining a 25,000-50,000 square foot modular and scalable facility capable of supporting payload receiving, inspection, staging, storage, upper-stage build, launch vehicle integration, cleanroom operations (ISO Class 8 or better), hazardous operations including explosive handling and hypergolic fueling, and classified processing consistent with ICD 705 standards. Respondents must demonstrate relevant experience in payload processing, cleanroom environments, hazardous operations, and classified facilities, as well as expertise with design-build or design-bid-build delivery models. Vendors should provide company overviews, organizational structures, key points of contact, relevant certifications, past performance records, proposed financing and operational approaches, rough order of magnitude cost estimates, schedule assumptions, market perspectives, and potential funding sources or strategic partnerships. The RFI requires written questions by April 13, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET, with responses due no later than April 27, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET. Responses must be submitted electronically in MS Word or PDF format to solicitations@vaspace.org and are limited to five pages, single-spaced or double-spaced, using a 12-point minimum font size, with graphics and charts permitted as additional pages. Vendors are invited to request on-site assessments of proposed properties, and the VCSFA reserves the right to invite selected respondents to follow-on discussions or in-person presentations and may issue a competitive procurement based on RFI responses.

The RFI does not specify any particular set-asides or restrictions on the types of organizations eligible to respond, nor does it identify any incumbent vendors or current contractors. Respondents must achieve AS9100 compliance within 18 months of contract award and may be required to support classified government programs up to TS/SCI level, which represents a significant qualification requirement for interested parties. The RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation for proposals, a commitment to award a contract, or a guarantee of future procurement. No specific award value or budget range is provided in the RFI documentation. All costs associated with responding to the RFI are the sole responsibility of interested parties, and all responses will become the property of VCSFA upon submission.