NASA Launch Services II (NLS II) 2026 On-Ramp

Amendment / Modification

This document is Amendment 1 to RFP10-99-0021 Revision T for NASA Launch Services II (NLS II). It does not introduce new requirements or change the core solicitation content but serves as an administrative update.

No specific sections of the original solicitation are detailed as being modified by this amendment in the provided text. The amendment appears to be administrative in nature.

This amendment does not appear to alter proposal submission deadlines, requirements, or evaluation factors based on the provided text.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the NASA Launch Services II (NLS II) 2026 On-Ramp Solicitation.

• Contract Updates: Updates to current NLS II contracts are ongoing, and offerors can expect a modification to bring their contract up to date prior to the proposal deadline.
• SF1449 Submission: Current IDIQ Holders on-ramping a new Launch Vehicle (LV) are required to submit the SF1449 with their proposal. A completed SF30 will be sent to existing providers prior to award.
• Existing Contractor Responses: Existing NLS II Contractors are only required to submit pricing and technical exhibits for new launch vehicles, not full responses to all RFP sections.
• "Expendable" Terminology: The term "Expendable" referenced in various sections is a legacy term and does not reflect a government requirement for the launch vehicle to be expendable.
• TDRSS: TDRSS-compatible telemetry systems are considered a non-standard service, as TDRSS will be sunset in the future.
• Page Limits: Exhibits are physically located within the SOW but are excluded from the 250-page limit. The 250-page limit applies only to the SOW itself.
• Small Business Subcontracting Plan: New offerors are required to submit a Small Business Plan. Existing NLS II Contractors are exempt unless their documents need updating due to a new LV configuration.
• Proposal Due Date: The due date on SAM.gov is correct, and Section A has been updated accordingly.
• IT Security Guidance: The correct reference for IT security is NPD 2810.1F, with specific NIST 800 series references provided (SP800-52 Rev.5, SP800-37, SP800-161).
• AS9100 Certification: NLS II requires AS9100 certification covering the entire scope of relevant operations, not just a subset.

Several sections of the RFP have been updated based on these questions, including the IT security guidance, the SF1449 submission requirement, and the proposal due date. Offerors should review the updated solicitation documents.

Amendment / Modification

This document, "Changes to the NLS II RFP for the 2026 On-Ramp Effort - Matrix of RFP Changes," details modifications made to the Request for Proposal (RFP) as Revision T and Amendment 1.

Key changes include:

• Executive Summary: Updates to RFP Revision#, Order Years, and an added paragraph.
• RFP Section A, SF 1449: Updates to RFP Revision#, Solicitation Issue Date, Telephone, Due Date/Local Time, and Contracting Officer.
• RFP Section B, Clauses 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8: Updates to Table B-6, B-9, B-10, order years, contract award order date, and maximum quantity for IDIQ.
• RFP Section C, Clauses: Numerous updates, including:
  • Table of Contents revisions.
  • Updates to clauses related to deviations (Nov 2025, Aug 2020).
  • Changes to Special Task Assignments Calendar Years.
  • Removal of specification for paper copies of proposals.
  • Updates to areas open to government insight.
  • Changes to Public Law Number and incorporation by reference for representations and certifications.
  • Removal and addition of various FAR and NFS clauses (e.g., FAR 52.212-5, NFS 1852.215-85, NFS 1852.223-70, NFS 1852.223-75).
  • Updates to DOE 952.250-70.
• Attachments D1, E1, E2, E3: Numerous updates to table of contents, page numbers, revision numbers, clause titles, provision dates, and specific clause content. This includes updates to NASA Launch Flight Operations, NASA Launch Countdown Support, Telemetry Data, NASA/TBP Center, and removal of specific format requirements for document submission.
• Appendices: Updates to Sample Pricing Tables and clause names/dates.

Changes affect multiple sections of the RFP, including the Executive Summary, Sections A, B, C, Attachments D1, E1, E2, E3, and various Appendices.

Some changes may impact proposal submission, including updated due dates, electronic submission instructions, and specific formatting requirements for documents. Bidders should carefully review all modifications to ensure compliance.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This document establishes the Launch Services Program (LSP) policy for minimum launch vehicle telemetry support requirements for the day of launch for NLS II missions. The data collected is used prior to launch to validate readiness and assist in anomaly resolution, and during and after launch to verify mission success and spacecraft environmental contractual requirements.

Mandatory Requirements:

• M1: Receive and record all phases of powered flight utilizing the launch vehicle primary propulsion system prior to spacecraft separation for all NASA primary spacecraft missions.
• M2: Receive and record contamination and collision avoidance maneuvers that utilize the primary propulsion system for all NASA primary spacecraft missions.

Required Requirements:

• R1: Receive and record depletion burns for NASA primary spacecraft missions.

• R2: Receive and record all phases of powered flight utilizing the primary propulsion system prior to spacecraft separation for all NASA secondary spacecraft missions.

• R3: Receive and record primary spacecraft separation.

• R4: Receive and record Launch Vehicle High Frequency Environmental Data System for NASA primary spacecraft missions.

• R5: Validate the status of the Mandatory and Required down range sites.

• R6: Receive prelaunch telemetry and voice at the NASA primary data station where the NASA vehicle engineering consoles are located.

• "Required" requirements have minimal impact on mission success, and mitigations are available if not satisfied. These may be waived during terminal count by the NLM.

• "Mandatory" requirements impact mission success verification. If not satisfied, mitigations are not available. Once within terminal count, mandatory requirements cannot be waived, though they may be changed to "Required" in exceptional cases by the Launch Services NLM prior to entering terminal count.

• Not explicitly defined, but pertains to "day of launch" operations and "prior to launch," "during and after launch."

• "Secondary Spacecraft Mission" is a mission type identified in the Launch Service Provider contract.

• "Terminal Count" begins at the start of dynamic launch day operations (e.g., propellant loading, aircraft movement).

• Waivers prior to terminal count must be identified in writing or verbally at the Flight Readiness Review or subsequent review. Waivers on launch day are announced verbally to the launch team by the NLM.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation, "NASA Launch Services II (NLS II) - Revision T," is an "On-Ramp" clause that allows NASA to invite domestic launch service providers to submit proposals for indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts. These contracts are for launch services for NASA and NASA-sponsored payloads. Proposals are solicited and evaluated during specified "open seasons" each year. The contract(s) will also require performance of non-standard services and special task assignments in support of launch services. The primary goal is to procure launch services that are safe, successful, reliable, and affordable, incorporating commercial best practices.

• Solicitation is for risk category 2 and 3 launch services capable of delivering a minimum of a 250 kg payload to orbit at an altitude of 200 km and a launch inclination of 28.5 degrees.

• Offerors must identify and price, on a not-to-exceed (NTE) basis, standard and non-standard launch services.

• Standard launch services are to be offered for all order years remaining on the NLS II contract (through June 30, 2030).

• Non-Standard and Special Task Assignment Labor Rates are through December 31, 2032.

• Contract type: Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ).

• Guaranteed minimum value: $20,000.

• Maximum potential value of contract number TBD: $15,000,000,000.

• Total maximum potential value of all NLS contracts combined: $15,000,000,000.

• Period of performance: Contract award through June 30, 2030 for launch services.

• Proposals are solicited and evaluated during specified "open seasons" each year.

• Selection for award will be based on evaluation criteria specified in Attachment E3.

• Key requirements for evaluation include:

  • AS9100 certification by the date of contract award.
  • Ability to successfully deliver to orbit at least one payload meeting specified criteria.
  • Ability to meet NASA's performance and launch vehicle certification requirements.
  • Reasonableness of NTE prices and firm fixed-prices.
  • Record of past performance.

• Evaluation factors include Technical Acceptability (Technical Approach and Management Approach) and Past Performance.

• Proposals are due by May 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EST.

• Launch Service Contractor (LSC) must be a domestic LSC pursuant to Section 201 of Public Law 105-303.

• LSC must obtain AS9100 third party certification.

• This acquisition is unrestricted.

• The Statement of Work (SOW) defines NASA's performance requirements.

• Compliance documents are limited to those mandatory from an Agency policy perspective.

• No certified cost or pricing data is required.

• Government insight and approval is limited to items mandatory per Agency policy.

• Proposals may be evaluated sequentially.

• Awards may be made on a rolling basis.

Amendment / Modification

This document, "Matrix of RFP Changes," details numerous updates to the NLS II RFP for the 2026 On-Ramp Effort, Revision T. Key changes include:

• Executive Summary: Updates to RFP Revision#, Order Years, and an added paragraph.
• RFP Section A, SF 1449: Updates to RFP Revision#, Solicitation Issue Date, Telephone, Due Date/Local Time, and Contracting Officer.
• RFP Section B: Modifications to clauses 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, and 1.8 concerning order years, award order date, and maximum quantity.
• RFP Section C: Numerous updates across various clauses, including:
  • Table of Contents revisions.
  • Updates to DEVIATION Nov 2025 for clauses 52.212-4 and 52.216-22.
  • Changes to Special Task Assignments, Public Law Number, and incorporation by reference for clause 33.0.
  • Removal of several FAR clauses (e.g., 52.212-5, 52.203-19, 52.204-4, 52.212-1).
  • Updates to specific clauses related to Limited Rights Notice, NFS, and DOE.
• Attachments D1 and D2: Revisions to Table of Contents, layout, page numbers, document revision numbers, launch site names, payload access doors, telemetry data, flight operations, countdown support, operational support services, and lightning monitoring.
• Attachment E1 and E2: Updates to Table of Contents, clause 1.0 (removal of FAR 52.212-3), clause 6.0 (updated FAR 52.209-7 with Deviation Nov 2025), and clause 2.0 (updated FAR 52.212-1 with Deviation Nov 2025).

This document impacts multiple sections of the RFP, including the Executive Summary, RFP Sections A, B, and C, as well as Attachments D1, D2, E1, and E2.

Bidders should review these changes carefully as they affect various clauses, requirements, and potentially submission details. Specific updates to dates, deviations, and removed/added clauses may impact proposal preparation and evaluation. The removal of the requirement for 6 paper copies of the proposal is also noted.