# Specialized wooden container

Canonical: https://abierto.us/opportunities/80jsc025pa002

- Solicitation number: 80JSC025PA002
- Notice type: Sources sought
- Status: Awarded to National Stem Cell Foundation Inc.
- Department: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Contracting office: NASA Johnson Space Center (80JSC0)
- NAICS: 321920 Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing
- Product or service code: 8115 Boxes, Cartons, and Crates
- Place of performance: Texas
- First posted: January 7, 2026
- Last posted: January 7, 2026
- SAM.gov: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/a12d1584dc9a4359b5dc5d4c136bbb36/view

## Description

NASA Johnson Space Center intends to modify contract 80JSC025PA006 for the purpose of adding a requirement for the awarded contractor, Optical Coating Labratories, to build a replacement shipping container so that the required MCAT telescope mirror can be shipped properly and safely to its destination on Ascencion Island.

Given that the current vendor has posession of the mirror, it is keenly aware of the delicate and critical state the mirror is in and can design a mirror that will safely protect the mirror while it is in transport and therefore guarantee the work the vendor has performed on the optical recoating of the mirror surface. Therefore, OCL is the only responsible source available to design and manufacture the required shipping container that will be specific to this mirror.

The Government intends to award this modification under the authority of FAR 13.501 since the value of the modification is less than the simplified acquisition threshold. A separate procurement is not in the best interest of the Government due to cost and schedule constraints. Questions and/or comments are welcome.

## Award on USAspending

- Recipient: National Stem Cell Foundation Inc. (UEI ZZ9KLNTWUN55)
- Contract: 80JSC025PA002, purchase order
- Obligated: $3,675,000.00, current value $5,294,059
- Competition: Competed Under SAP, 7 offers received
- Link: solicitation number 80JSC025PA002 was reused as the contract number; same awarding office 80JSC0 (high confidence)
- Record: https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_80JSC025PA002_8000_-NONE-_-NONE-/


## Publications

- January 7, 2026: Sources sought, due January 14, 2026 at 1:00 PM EST. Notice a12d1584dc9a4359b5dc5d4c136bbb36. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/a12d1584dc9a4359b5dc5d4c136bbb36/view

## Points of contact

- Stephen Noethen, stephen.d.noethen@nasa.gov, 3465287684
- Kyle Thacker, david.k.thacker@nasa.gov

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Source: SAM.gov Contract Opportunities bulk extract and USAspending.gov award data. Confirm deadlines on SAM.gov before responding. Cite https://abierto.us/opportunities/80jsc025pa002.