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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), anticipates a release of a Space Technology Announcement of Collaborative Opportunity... The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), anticipates a release of a Space Technology Announcement of Collaborative Opportunity (ACO) on or about January 28, 2020. NASA expects a simultaneous release of a sister solicitation “Utilizing Public-Private Partnerships to Advance Tipping Point Technologies.” Once the announcement is posted, complete details (to include due dates) can be accessed via the following steps: 1. Open the NSPIRES homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ 2. Select "Solicitations" 3. Select "Open Solicitations” 4. Select "80HQTR20SOA01” The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) continues to embrace partnerships to achieve its strategic goals for expanding capabilities and opportunities in space. STMD has formulated a strategic framework to ensure American global leadership in space technology. The framework consists of four strategic thrusts, representing the capabilities needed for robotic and human exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. These thrusts represent major lines of investment within STMD's portfolio that are expected to have major impacts on space through 2040 and beyond. The strategic thrusts are: Go – Enable rapid, safe, and efficient space transportation Land – Enable expanded access to diverse surface destinations Live – Enable sustainable living and working farther from Earth Explore – Enable transformative missions and discoveries This strategic framework provides context and enables a trace from overarching trends, through high level goals, to topics that STMD should prioritize, and the specific technical challenges that individual projects must address. The following Topics are anticipated for this Announcement. It is required that the proposed technology is at least Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3 at the time of Mandatory Preliminary Proposal (MPP) submittal. Cryogenic Fluid Management & Propulsion Advanced Propulsion Human & Robotic Entry, Descent and Landing/Precision Landing/Development and Testing of Hazard Detection and Avoidance Sensors, Launch Vehicle Asset Recovery and Earth Return Operate in Extreme Environments Extreme Access Sustainable Power In-situ Propellant and Consumable Production Intelligent/Resilient Systems & Advanced Robotics Advanced Materials and Structures including both Lunar Surface Excavation and Construction and On-orbit activities Small Spacecraft Technologies STMD is seeking partnerships that will focus on advancing technologies that can benefit both the commercial and government use of space. NASA is seeking to provide technical expertise, facilities, hardware, and software to accelerate the development and availability of these technologies. For this Announcement, STMD will solicit proposals that are led by a U.S. for-profit entity to partner with one or more NASA Centers as a team member(s) to enter into unfunded Space Act Agreements (SAA) to support the accelerated development and testing of critical technologies for space system capabilities. A “U.S. for-profit entity” is a commercial firm or business incorporated and operating in the United States of America. However, this does not preclude U.S. for-profit companies that are incorporated and operating in the U.S. and also have an affiliation with a foreign entity, subject to a determination by the NASA selection official that a partnership agreement with such entities would significantly advance one or more NASA mission objectives as described in the ACO and would otherwise be in the Agency’s and the Nation’s best interest. In addition to one or more NASA Centers, team members may include other U.S. for-profit entities, U.S. non-profit entities (including universities and educational institutions), and/or U.S. Federal, State and local government agencies, as appropriate to optimize the potential for rapid development and commercialization of the space technology. See Section 3.0 of the Announcement for complete eligibility restrictions. NASA anticipates using a two-step proposal process where a short Mandatory Preliminary Proposal (MPP) is submitted in step one. NASA anticipates inviting only the participants that submitted the most competitive MPPs to submit a Final Proposal (step two). NOTE: Changes/exceptions to the Space Act Agreement (SAA) Template provided in the Announcement will NOT be permitted. Therefore, participants should review the SAA prior to determining whether to submit an MPP. All proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES by an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR). Registration information and NSPIRES tutorials can be found at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/ under Getting Started. Potential participants and their proposing organizations are urged to familiarize themselves with the submission system, ensure they are registered in NSPIRES, and submit the required proposal materials well in advance of the deadline. Interested proposers should monitor the NSPIRES website or subscribe to the electronic notification system for release of this solicitation and any amendments. A Virtual Industry Forum is anticipated in February 2020. Further details concerning the Forum will be provided in the Announcement. Technical, programmatic, and procurement comments and questions must be submitted in writing by e-mail to: HQ-STMD-ACO@nasaprs.com Any documents related to this procurement will be available by opening the NSPIRES homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ by selecting "Solicitations," then selecting "Open Solicitations," and, finally, selecting “Announcement of Collaborative Opportunity (ACO).” It is the participant's responsibility to monitor the Internet site for the release of the final solicitation and amendments (if any).