Near Earth Orbit Network Program's Sounder for Microwave-Based Applications

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center plans to issue a Draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Near Earth Orbit Network (NEON) Program’s Sounder for Microwave-Based Applications (SMBA) Instrument. SMBA will be a microwave sounding instrument flying on the NEON program series of low-earth orbit satellites.

SMBA will have hyperspectral sounding capabilities to support the acquisition of high-resolution atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles used in a variety of applied products for weather forecasting and atmospheric monitoring. The procurement will consist of 12 SMBA flight models, one instrument Engineering Test Unit, and associated Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and simulators.

The contract scope includes the requirements necessary to design, analyze, develop, fabricate, integrate, test, evaluate, and support launch of SMBA instruments; supply and maintain the instrument GSE; and support the Mission Operations at the mission operations facility. The SMBA instrument has a risk classification of Class C. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial product or commercial service using FAR Part 12. This acquisition is a Full and Open competition.

The NAICS Code and Size Standard are 334511 and 1,350 employees, respectively. The anticipated release date of the Draft RFP is the end of the first quarter of 2025 and the anticipated release date of the Final RFP is the end of the second quarter of 2025 with an anticipated offer due approximately 30 calendar days later. The Draft RFP will be posted for information and planning purposes. No proposal is requested and no contract will be awarded as a result of the Draft RFP.

Potential Offerors are invited to comment on all aspects of the solicitation including the requirements, proposal instructions, and evaluation approach. If your comments include recommendations for revisions, you must provide your rationale for such revisions. The timeline for comments to the Draft RFP will be specified in the Draft RFP Cover Letter. 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 It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor this website for the release of the Draft RFP, RFP and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the Draft RFP, RFP, and amendments (if any). Prospective offerors are encouraged to notify this office of their intent to submit an offer. All contractual and technical questions must be submitted electronically via email to Bruce.B.Tsai@nasa.gov. Telephone questions will not be accepted.

Revision 1 (2025/03/07): For planning purposes only, the Government will update the notional timeline as follows:

Draft RFP Release: Calendar Year (CY) 2025, Quarter (Q)

2 RFP Release:

CY 2025, Q4 Award: CY 2026, Q4