Planetary Plasma Interactions 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/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has issued a Sources Sought notice for the Planetary Plasma Interactions Discipline Node. This is market research to identify interested parties and gather capability statements to inform the appropriate level of competition and potential small business subcontracting goals. The effort focuses on the long-term preservation and usability of NASA planetary science data, ensuring compliance with federal cybersecurity laws and NASA directives. Responses are due by June 12, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST.
Scope of Work
The Planetary Plasma Interactions (PPI) Discipline Node is part of the Planetary Data System (PDS). Key responsibilities include:
- Data Management: Ingesting, validating, and peer-reviewing data from missions, research scientists, and observations. Providing expertise for data organization and documentation.
- Archival Services: Implementing NASA PDS Level 3 and 4 requirements, providing authoritative data copies to NSSDCA, ensuring public accessibility, and minimizing downtime.
- Standards & Modernization: Maintaining PDS data archiving standards, ensuring interoperability, supporting enterprise modernization (e.g., PDS4 conversion, cloud migration), and participating in PDS working groups.
- Cybersecurity: Achieving and maintaining full compliance with Federal cybersecurity laws (FISMA, FITARA) and NASA cybersecurity directives, including specific controls outlined in Appendix II and III.
- Reporting: Providing quarterly reports on progress, including cloud migration and dataset conversion. The anticipated period of performance is from December 1, 2026, to November 30, 2029, with performance at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Market Research
- Set-Aside: None specified; seeking input for potential Small Business (SB), SDB, HUBZone, VOSB, SDVOSB, and WOSB set-asides.
- Response Due: June 12, 2026, 2:00 PM EST
- Published: May 29, 2026
- Period of Performance: December 1, 2026 – November 30, 2029
- Place of Performance: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Evaluation
Responses will be used to determine the appropriate level of competition and/or small business subcontracting goals. NASA is specifically requesting industry feedback on:
- SB subcontracting goals.
- Barriers limiting SB participation (e.g., certifications, technical requirements, security needs).
- Strategies to increase SB participation (e.g., breaking down requirements, identifying subcontracting areas, teaming/mentor protégé approaches).
Additional Notes
This notice is for information and planning purposes only and is not a Request for Proposal. The Government will not pay for information submitted. NASA intends to publicize a listing of respondents to facilitate teaming arrangements, with an option to opt-out. Cybersecurity compliance is a critical aspect of this requirement.