Aeronautics and Space Programs and Policies Studies (ASPPS)

National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA)/Headquarters (HQs) has a requirement for Aeronautics and Space Programs and Polices Studies (ASPPS) support.  This support provides the acquisition of technical, life and physical sciences, and engineering studies on questions on national importance relating to aeronautics and space programs and their technologies including policy and long-range plans. NASA/HQs intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire the services from the National Academy of Science (NAS), under the authority of FAR 6.103-1- Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. NAS can meet this requirement by maintaining the expertise of the nation’s foremost scientific scholars, researchers, and engineers. It is from its extensive network that NAS derives its membership for the panels, committees, boards, and roundtables, consistent with its charter to examine NASA’s issues or challenges relating to aerospace technology programs and systems engineering and provides recommendations to ensure the viability of these activities. In addition, NAS uses rigorous and independent review processes that guarantee the quality and integrity of its studies, evaluations, and reports. As future missions develop, it is vital for NASA to maintain the best possible understanding of its challenges and the best ways to meet them. The NAS provides NASA with a unique resource for meeting the need for expert research and guidance and for responding to inquiries pertaining to aeronautics and space policy and oversight for NASA.

Additionally, in accordance with 36 U.S.C. § 150303 the National Academy of Sciences is legally mandated to investigate, examine, experiment, and report on any subject of science or art at the request of the United States Government. The corporation may not receive compensation for services to the Government, but the actual expense of the investigation, examination, experimentation, and report shall be paid by the Government from an appropriation for that purpose.

The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial service using FAR Part 12.

Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to the Contract Specialist, Mike Chabala at carl.m.chabala@nasa.gov and copy the Contracting Officer, Kimberly Hooten at Kimberly.A.Hooten@nasa.gov no later than August 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition 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