Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition for Super High Energy Replicated Optics (SuperHERO)
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
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), specifically the NASA MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER, has published a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) for the Super High Energy Replicated Optics (SuperHERO) balloon mission. This document justifies a sole-source contract award for the design, manufacturing, and testing of a truss/optical bench for the SuperHERO mission. The proposed contractor is Washington University in St. Louis (WashU).
Scope of Work
The contract covers the following key requirements:
- Design and testing of a 12-meter truss/optical bench for the SuperHERO balloon mission.
- Experimental carbon fiber-aluminum joint pull tests.
- Fabrication and load-deformation testing of the truss/optical bench.
- Transportation of the truss/optical bench and participation in hang testing.
- Support for the SuperHERO scientific mission, including data analysis and meeting participation.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Sole-source award.
- Estimated Dollar Value: $1,004,621.
- Period of Performance: Estimated from award through December 31, 2030.
- Published Date: May 26, 2026.
- Notice of Intent: Published on Sam.gov on March 26, 2025, with responses due April 10, 2025. No other capable sources responded.
Eligibility / Set-Aside
This is a sole-source justification, not a solicitation for proposals or a set-aside. The proposed contractor, Washington University in St. Louis, was selected due to their extensive experience with similar carbon-composite truss designs for previous missions (e.g., XL-Calibur).
Additional Notes
Awarding to WashU is expected to limit programmatic cost and risk, and avoid a potential 12-24 month schedule delay. The SuperHERO mission, a hard-X-ray observatory, is scheduled to fly in the fall of 2029 from Fort Sumner, New Mexico. The acquisition is conducted under 10 U.S.C. § 3204(a)1, implemented by FAR 6.103-1, as only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's requirements.
Contact: Brad Vest (bradley.d.vest@nasa.gov)