NASA Launch Services II (NLS II) 2026 On-Ramp

The NASA Launch Services (NLS) II Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued on September 4, 2009 and remains open for a period of twenty years from the effective date through the use of an innovative on-ramp provision found in Section C, Clause 2.0.

The NLS II contract’s ordering period remains valid through December 31, 2032. The RFP has resulted in the award of Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) task order contracts to United Launch Services, LLC., Northrop Grumman Space Systems, Space Exploration Technologies, and Blue Origin.

On or about each August during the life of the solicitation, or at any other time established via synopsis, the Government will accept proposals from new launch service providers for IDIQ contracts and proposals from existing IDIQ contractors for additional launch services.

Launch services proposed under the NLS II solicitation shall only include launch vehicles capable of being certified to risk mitigation Category 2 and 3 in accordance with NASA Policy Directive 8610.7D, Launch Services Risk Mitigation Policy for NASA-Owned and/or NASA-Sponsored Payloads/Missions. These launch services, at a minimum, shall be capable of delivering a 250kg payload to orbit at an altitude of 200km and a launch inclination of 28.5 degrees.

A complete set of minimum contract requirements will be set forth in Attachment E3, Paragraph 1.0 of the NLS II RFP when released. Specifically, in addition to the launch vehicle requirements described above, offerors must be domestic launch service providers and must be AS9100 certified by the date of contract award.

The time and date required for receipt of proposals is on or before close of business, 4:30 p.m. local time, May 15, 2026. All questions should be submitted via email to the Contracting Officer on or before close of business, 4:30 p.m. local time, March 20, 2026. Your proposal must be signed by an official of the company who is authorized to bind the company. Your proposal must also contain a statement that the offer is firm for a period of 180 days from the closing date indicated above.

You must provide the company name and complete address (including street, city, state, and zip code) and the Data Universal Numbering System number applicable to that name and address. The RFP does not commit the Government to award a contract nor does it obligate the Government to pay for any cost incurred in the preparation and submittal of proposals in anticipation of a contract. The Government reserves the right to reject any and all proposals should such action be in the best interest of the Government.

An ombudsman has been appointed in accordance with NFS 1852.215-84. The proposal is to be dropped into the following Box Link: (https://nasagov.app.box.com/f/90320d679507450fb47874724c42be34) and a email sent to the Contracting Officer, Rachel Edwards at Rachel.t.edwards@nasa.gov, to verify submission.

Amendment 1: The questions and answers have been attached. Additionally, we have added a MS Word copy of the RFP with the tracked changes that resulted from the questions, and a copy of the LSP-PD-120.05 Please also note that the proposal due date has changed to 4:30 p.m. local time, May 15, 2026.

Amendment 2: Executive Order (E.O.) 14398, titled 'Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors,' requires the addition of FAR Clause 52.222-90 to the solicitation. No other changes were made to the solicitation.