Notice of Intent to Extend the Hydrosphere, Biosphere, and Geophysics Support Services (HBG) Contract

NASA/GSFC has a continued requirement under the Hydrosphere, Biosphere, and Geophysics Support Services (HBG) contract number 80GSFC20C0044 with Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI), to support the to provide scientific support services for six of the nine Laboratories that make up the GSFC Earth Science Division (ESD) (Code 610).

This continuity is critical to ongoing and future science research and mission support, ongoing or planned field campaigns, and applied research that benefits the country and taxpayers. Topical areas of research include but are not limited to water resources, fire monitoring, land and ocean ecosystem health, global and regional sea level change, changes in the Earth’s cryosphere, gravity field, magnetic field, solid Earth, reference frames, and the effects of climate on life on Earth.

The laboratories in the HBG sub-division conduct fundamental and applied science research, and conceive, develop, and deploy new measurement capabilities and technologies (e.g. space, airborne and in situ) to advance our understanding of the Earth system. The contract also supports several specialized and unique calibration laboratories that provide calibration support for instruments and missions not only in 610 but across the entire Center.

NASA/GSFC intends to issue a sole source contract extension for twelve (12) months plus three (3) two-month option periods to the current HBG contract to acquire continued services from Science Systems and Applications, Inc. under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

This contract extension will allow NASA and GSFC to transition to the current Administration’s objectives; and align with its priorities using a new procurement process that is simple, usable, and efficient, and protects economic and national security interests.

This transition period will mitigate any duplication of costs stemming from the acquisition process and allow the agency to be in the best position to execute this Administration’s initiatives and will allow adequate time for the competition and award of the procurements to take place. This extension is intended to increase the contract ceiling cost.

The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Joel Rivera (Joel.Rivera@nasa.gov) and Michelle Padfield (Michelle.R.Padfield@nasa.gov) no later than 4:30 PM (EST) on August 21, 2025. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this action on a competitive basis.

A determination by the Government not to compete this procurement action on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf.