NASA Johnson Space Center’s Flight Operations Directorate has issued a sources sought notice for Operations, Research, and Broad Innovative Technology Services (ORBIT). The draft Statement of Work designates the acquisition a multiple-award IDIQ with firm-fixed-price task orders, established as a total small business set-aside under NAICS 541512. Capability statements are due 5 October 2026.
The Flight Operations Directorate and its affiliate organizations comprise roughly 2,500 people
- Flight controllers, mission planners, trainers, astronauts, flight directors, engineering, and administrative staff — supporting the International Space Station, Artemis, Orion, Moon Base, and future human-rated launch systems.
ORBIT is organized into four functional areas:
- Functional Area 1, Mission and Systems Engineering Support; Functional Area 2, Technical Evaluation, Analysis, and Independent Assessment; Functional Area 3, Specialized IT and Mission Support Services; and Functional Area 4, Advanced R&D Support
NASA states that the results of this market research will contribute to determining the type and method of procurement, and that it is seeking capability statements from all small business socioeconomic categories to determine the appropriate level of competition and subcontracting goals. Responses here genuinely shape the outcome.
OPPORTUNITY SNAPSHOT
- Opportunity: Operations, Research, and Broad Innovative Technology Services (ORBIT)
- Agency: NASA Johnson Space Center, Flight Operations Directorate
- Set-Aside: Total small business set-aside
- NAICS: 541512, Computer Systems Design Services
- RFP Release: TBD
- Contract Type: Multiple award IDIQ
- Functional Areas: Four (offerors may pursue one or more)
- Estimated Value: TBD
- Estimated Award: TBD
- Programs Supported: ISS, Artemis, Orion, Moon Base, and future human-rated launch systems
WHY THIS OPPORTUNITY MATTERS
NASA’s stated objective is to establish a pool of qualified small business contractors able to compete for firm-fixed-price task orders across the full range of functional areas. What the work covers:
- Mission concept development and formulation studies; systems and discipline engineering for spacecraft, instruments, launch and ground systems; analyses of alternatives, modeling and simulation, and prototypes; organization-unique software from design through sustainment, plus legacy modernization, hosting, data management, and security; end-user and help desk support for domestic, international, and on-orbit users; asset relocation, calibration, and maintenance; and exploratory prototype development for next-generation mission operations
Requirements are written at a functional, performance-based level, with specific tasks, deliverables, performance standards, and schedules defined in individual task orders. This structure favors firms with either genuine breadth or deep credibility in a single functional area, and it lets a small business compete without covering all four.
The response itself is light, a capability statement plus the matrix, but the positioning value is high. Firms responding should be ready to show:
- Relevant NASA or human spaceflight support past performance; familiarity with NPD 2810.1 and JSC software standards including JSC 63756 and CA-WI-54; the ability to support a highly mobile, schedule-compressed customer including remote and international locations; and a clear view of which functional areas you would prime versus partner on
WHO SHOULD CONSIDER THIS OPPORTUNITY
This acquisition is built for small businesses supporting human spaceflight operations and the engineering and IT that enable them. Firms with experience in the following should assess their fit now:
- Aerospace systems engineering and discipline engineering for spacecraft, instruments, and ground systems
- Mission operations, flight controller training, and mission planning support
- Software development with legacy modernization, hosting, and sustainment depth
- Specialized IT and help desk support for domestic, international, and on-orbit users
- Modeling, simulation, analyses of alternatives, and independent technical assessment
- Research and prototyping in advanced mission operations technology
- Current NASA JSC subcontractors seeking a prime position on a new small business vehicle
HOW OST CAN HELP
ORBIT is at the market research stage, which is when positioning is the most effective. OST supports firms responding to sources sought notices and preparing for the follow-on competition with:
- Bid/No-Bid assessment: Evaluating fit across the four functional areas and whether to prime, partner, or pass
- Capture planning: Shaping a response that positions you for the eventual RFP rather than merely answering the questions asked
- Teaming strategy: Identifying complementary partners via OST’s partnering portal (200+ companies) to cover functional areas outside your core
- Past performance strategy: Documenting NASA and human spaceflight past performance mapped to the functional areas you intend to bid
- Proposal development: Full support once the solicitation is released, including technical approach, pricing, and compliance
ORBIT is a rare find: a total small business set-aside IDIQ supporting human spaceflight, at a stage where industry responses still influence the competition structure and subcontracting goals. Responses are due 5 October 2026. Firms that respond will be visible to NASA before the RFP is written. If this interests you, please book a call with OST Partner and President Bill Schalik via the button below.
Schedule a discussion today.
