Geoscience Discipline Node
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has issued a Sources Sought notice for the Geoscience Discipline Node of the Planetary Data System (PDS). This is market research to identify qualified sources capable of providing science data services, ensuring long-term preservation and usability of NASA planetary science data, and complying with Federal cybersecurity laws. NASA is seeking capability statements from all interested parties, including Small Businesses and HBCU/MIs, to determine the appropriate level of competition and potential small business subcontracting goals. Responses are due by June 12, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST.
Purpose & Scope
The PDS system of Discipline Nodes is critical for the secure preservation and usability of NASA planetary science data. The Geoscience Discipline Node (GEO) will perform functions of a Federal information system, requiring compliance with Federal cybersecurity laws (e.g., FISMA, FITARA) and NASA directives. The draft Statement of Work (SOW) outlines requirements for managing, preserving, and distributing planetary mission data, including:
- Planetary Science Mission Support: Ingesting, validating, and archiving geosciences data, providing expertise, peer-reviewing archives, and assigning Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs).
- Data Archival, Preservation, Discovery, and Distribution: Implementing PDS Level 3 and 4 requirements, ensuring long-term preservation via NSSDCA, and public accessibility (Section 508 compliant).
- Cloud Migration: Migrating all Discipline Node data, software, tools, and services to a NASA-managed cloud environment, maintaining authoritative copies and value-added services.
- Cybersecurity: Accomplishing compliance activities as required by SMD for data, tools, and services, adhering to NASA-managed System Security Plans (SSPs).
- Standards & Documentation: Maintaining PDS archiving standards, interoperability, PDS4 Local Language Dictionaries (LDD), and data system APIs.
- Online Presence: Transitioning the Discipline Node's web presence and dataset access to NASA-managed infrastructure.
Period & Place of Performance
The anticipated period of performance is December 1, 2026, to November 30, 2029. The primary place of performance is Washington University (WashU), with potential travel to other PDS sites, NASA GSFC, and NASA HQ.
Compliance & Standards
Bidders must demonstrate understanding and capability to comply with stringent cybersecurity requirements, including:
- Federal Mandatory Controls: As detailed in "Appendix II PDS-FedMandatoryControls Year1ComplianceReq.RAFT.pdf," covering NIST SP800-53rev5 controls such as CA-5 (Plan of Action and Milestones), IA-2 (Identification and Authentication), CM-6 (Configuration Settings), and SI-2 (Flaw Remediation).
- NASA Critical Controls: Also outlined in the same appendix, including AC-1 (Policy and Procedures), AT-3 (Role-based Training), AU-6 (Audit Record Review), and PL-2 (System Security and Privacy Plans).
- NASA Technical Specification: Adherence to NASA-SPEC-2661.Controls v2.0 for IT/OT security control baselines.
- PDS Requirements: Compliance with Level 1 and Level 2 requirements for data archiving, management, and accessibility.
Response Details
NASA GSFC is requesting capability statements and informed input on:
- Realistic and appropriate Small Business subcontracting goals.
- Barriers limiting Small Business participation (e.g., certifications, technical requirements, security needs).
- Strategies to increase Small Business participation (e.g., breaking requirements, identifying subcontracting areas, teaming/mentor protégé approaches). Responses should be submitted electronically via email to Candis.Edwards@nasa.gov by June 12, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST. Reference 80GSFC27PDSGDN in the response.
Set-Aside & Teaming
This is market research to determine potential set-asides (Small Business, SDB, HUBZone, VOSB, SDVOSB, WOSB). Vendors are encouraged to demonstrate capabilities as a prime, subcontractor, or teaming partner. NASA intends to publicize a listing of respondents to facilitate teaming arrangements, unless explicitly requested otherwise.
Additional Notes
This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP), and no proposals should be submitted. The Government will not pay for information submitted and may not respond to questions. Information gathered will finalize the RFP.