Sources Sought
NASA Launch Services II (NLS-II) 2026 On-Ramp
National Aeronautics and Space Administration · Sol. RFP10-99-0021-Rev_U
Due in 7 days
AI summary Beta
NASA Kennedy Space Center is considering opening a new "on-ramp" window under its NASA Launch Services II (NLS II) IDIQ contract, which already covers United Launch Services, Northrop Grumman (formerly Orbital Sciences), SpaceX, and Blue Origin. If opened, both new domestic launch providers and existing IDIQ holders could propose additional launch vehicles or services. The overall NLS II ordering period runs through June 30, 2030.
Watch out for
- High technical bar, only 4 current IDIQ holders. This is aimed at established launch vehicle companies with a certifiable vehicle and AS9100 certification, not a typical small business entry point.
offerors must be domestic launch service providers and must be AS9100 certified by the date of contract award.
- No solicitation guaranteed yet. NASA hasn't committed to opening this on-ramp; responding is just expressing interest in case it happens.
The Government is currently contemplating opening an on-ramp opportunity.
Read from the notice text only.
Full brief
What they want
- Launch vehicles certifiable to NASA risk mitigation Category 2 and 3 under NPD 8610.7D
- Capability to deliver a 250kg payload to a 200km orbit at 28.5 degree inclination
- A written notice of intent to propose, including the launch vehicle configuration(s) and current flight manifest
- Contract type
- Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) task order contracts
- Period of performance
- NLS II ordering period runs through June 30, 2030
- Contract vehicle
- NASA Launch Services II (NLS II) IDIQ
- Offers due
- October 5, 2026
- How to submit
- Notify NASA in writing
What to include when you submit
- Include a description of the launch vehicle configuration(s) you intend to propose.
- Include your current flight manifest.
You must have
- Restricted to domestic launch service providers
This acquisition is restricted to domestic sources.
- Launch vehicle must be certifiable to risk mitigation Category 2 and 3 under NPD 8610.7D
shall only include launch vehicles capable of being certified to risk mitigation Category 2 and 3
- Must be able to deliver a 250kg payload to a 200km orbit at 28.5 degree inclination
shall be capable of delivering a 250kg payload to orbit at an altitude of 200km and a launch inclination of 28.5 degrees.
- Must be AS9100 certified by the date of contract award
offerors must be domestic launch service providers and must be AS9100 certified by the date of contract award.
Current contractor
Existing NLS II IDIQ holders are United Launch Services, LLC; Orbital Sciences Corporation (now Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation); Space Exploration Technologies; and Blue Origin, LLC.
Not in the notice text
- Whether NASA will actually issue an on-ramp solicitation this cycle is not yet decided.
- Contract value, quantities, and pricing are not stated.
- Detailed minimum contract requirements will be set forth in Attachment E3 of the NLS II RFP, which is not included here.
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Key facts
- Response due
- Oct 5, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC
- Posted
- Sep 4, 2026
- Notice type
- Sources Sought
- Solicitation
- RFP10-99-0021-Rev_U
- Agency
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Office
- NASA Kennedy Space Center
- NAICS
- 336414
- Product/service code
- V126
- Business type
- Aircraft, ship & vehicle parts
- Contracting contact
- Kristina Hopfkristina.m.hopf@nasa.gov
Full notice text from SAM.gov
The NASA Launch Services (NLS) II Request for Proposal (RFP) remains open until June 30, 2030 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 June 30, 2030. The RFP has resulted in the award of Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) task order contracts to United Launch Services, LLC; Orbital Sciences Corporation (currently known as Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation); Space Exploration Technologies; and Blue Origin, LLC. 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. The Government is currently contemplating opening an on-ramp opportunity. 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. This acquisition is restricted to domestic sources. 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. It is requested that any interested party notify NASA in writing no later than October 5, 2026, of your intent to submit a proposal during this on-ramp period as well as a description of the launch vehicle configuration(s) you intend to propose and current flight manifest. If the Government chooses to conduct an On Ramp by issuing a solicitation notice, new launch service providers and current IDIQ contractors will be allowed to submit proposals, within the notice's stated response time. An ombudsman has been appointed in accordance with NFS 1852.215-84.