NASA seeks to develop and demonstrate a commercially viable, end-to-end Ka-band relay service that is backward compatible with the legacy TDRSS system for a minimum of 15 years. This is a phased R&D acquisition anticipating multiple initial firm-fixed-price awards, with progressive down-selections leading to potential pilot service contracts and future operational service competitions. The draft solicitation includes ITAR-controlled data, requiring interested parties with proper clearance to contact the specified contracting officer for access. A final solicitation is tentatively planned for release on or around May 14, 2026, with a proposal due date of June 5, 2026. The performance location is not specified.

NASA seeks to develop and demonstrate a commercially viable, end-to-end Ka-band relay service that is backward-compatible with the legacy TDRSS system for a minimum of 15 years. The acquisition is a phased R&D effort, with multiple Firm-Fixed-Price awards anticipated no later than September 2026, leading to an on-orbit flight demonstration no later than June 2028. A subsequent one-year pilot service contract is anticipated around October 2028. The performance location is not specified. Budget information is not specified.

NASA seeks industry partners to develop and demonstrate a commercially viable, end-to-end Ka-band relay service that is backward-compatible with the legacy TDRSS system for a minimum of 15 years. The acquisition is a phased R&D process with multiple initial Firm-Fixed-Price awards, leading to progressive down-selections based on performance, technical credibility, and commercial viability. Key phases include concept maturation, capability development, and an on-orbit flight demonstration targeted for no later than June 2028, with a subsequent pilot service phase anticipated around October 2028. The performance location is not specified. Access to the draft solicitation's technical attachment is restricted to contractors with valid ITAR export controls.

NASA seeks to develop and demonstrate a commercially viable, end-to-end Ka-band relay service that is backward compatible with legacy satellite users for at least 15 years, aiming to reduce continuity risks in the 2029-2031 timeframe. This is a phased R&D acquisition with multiple initial firm-fixed-price awards, leading to on-orbit flight demonstrations, and it anticipates a broader commercial business case beyond NASA. The performance location is not specified. Key non-bid timelines include a draft solicitation release anticipated for April 10, 2026, an industry day in Colorado Springs on April 14, 2026, and a final solicitation release anticipated for May 11, 2026. No budget amounts are specified. The solicitation involves ITAR-controlled data, restricting participation to contractors with appropriate export clearance.

NASA seeks to develop and demonstrate a commercially viable, end-to-end Ka-band relay service that is backward compatible with the legacy TDRS system for a minimum of fifteen years, aiming to reduce continuity risks in the 2029-2031 timeframe. This is a phased R&D acquisition with multiple initial firm-fixed-price awards anticipated by September 2026, leading to an on-orbit flight demonstration no later than June 2028. The agency does not anticipate being the sole customer and expects proposed solutions to have a broader commercial business case. A draft solicitation industry day is anticipated on April 14, 2026, at the Catalyst Campus in Colorado Springs, CO. The final solicitation release is anticipated on May 11, 2026.

NASA seeks to develop and demonstrate a commercially viable, end-to-end Ka-band relay service that is backward compatible with the legacy TDRSS system for a minimum of 15 years, aiming to reduce continuity risks in the 2029-2031 timeframe. This is a phased R&D acquisition with multiple initial Firm-Fixed-Price awards, leading to on-orbit flight demonstrations by June 2028. The agency anticipates a subsequent Phase 4 for service transition, with a one-year base period around October 2028 plus a one-year option. The draft solicitation industry day is anticipated to occur in Colorado Springs, CO. The effort is full and open competition, but access to ITAR-controlled solicitation data is restricted to contractors with valid export clearance.