DRAFT RFP - NASA Flown Space Vehicle Multimodal Transportation Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Contract

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains questions developed by NASA for discussion during One-on-One Reverse Industry Day sessions with industry partners. It seeks input on the structure, development, and execution of a potential Multiple Award Contract (MAC) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) for space vehicle multimodal transportation.

• Contract Scope & Structure: Questions focus on how to structure a MAC IDIQ to support feasibility studies and full transport execution for flown space hardware, including participation from large integrators and niche subcontractors. It also inquires about separating engineering analysis, transport planning, and execution into single or multiple task orders, and the most flexible contract structure for rapid-response and long-term planning.
• Task Order Development: NASA seeks input on the appropriate level of technical definition at the task order level versus contractor flexibility, the recommendation for phased task orders with off-ramps, and essential Government Furnished Information (GFI) or Equipment (GFE) for meaningful proposals.
• Pricing & Risk Allocation: Questions address recommended contract types and incentive structures, risk allocation and insurance models for irreplaceable artifacts, management of unknown route conditions, primary cost drivers, and factors that could increase cost or reduce competition.
• Engineering & Technical Governance: NASA is asking for recommendations on standardizing engineering deliverables and technical standards, addressing proprietary approaches and data rights, and the required level of digital engineering or simulation support.
• Execution & Operational Support: Questions cover contract requirements for mitigation response, emergency recovery, multi-jurisdictional coordination, the recommended level of in-person Government involvement, and lessons learned from previous large-scale moves.

This document is a request for information and feedback from industry. The responses will likely inform the structure and requirements of a future solicitation for space vehicle multimodal transportation services.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Draft Request for Proposal (DRFP) solicits industry insight and feedback for establishing a Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (MAC IDIQ) contract vehicle for NASA's Flown Space Vehicle Multimodal Transportation (MMT) program. The contract aims to provide an enterprise capability for engineering, planning, and executing transportation operations for flown space vehicles, spacecraft capsules, and other aerospace artifacts requiring specialized handling and multimodal transport.

The scope of work includes, but is not limited to, multimodal transportation services for large aerospace vehicles, spacecraft artifacts, aerospace hardware, flown space hardware, and other specialized Government cargo. This encompasses engineering analysis, transportation planning, preservation measures, specialized rigging systems, infrastructure coordination, regulatory compliance, and coordinated multimodal transportation execution.

• Contract Type: Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (MAC IDIQ) with Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) task orders.

• Period of Performance: 5-year base period from award date, with potential option periods.

• Estimated Award: Anticipated 4Q FY2026.

• NAICS Code: 541330 (Engineering Services).

• Small Business Size Standard: $25,500,000.

• Feedback Period: Closes April 9, 2026.

• Pre-Solicitation Conference: Scheduled for late April 2026.

• Feedback Submission: Written feedback limited to 40 pages.

• Evaluation: Not applicable at this draft stage; the DRFP is for informational and planning purposes.

• Competition: Anticipated as full and open competition.

• The DRFP includes two illustrative example task orders (one for a large aerospace vehicle and one for a smaller spacecraft capsule) to solicit industry feedback on approaches to engineering analysis, transportation planning, program management, and execution.

• NASA is seeking insight into potential cost structures, cost elements, cost drivers, and programmatic risks.

• All documents related to this DRFP will be available on SAM.gov.