Bid guide
How to bid on Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Frequency Reference System (FRS) Flight for NASA
What NASA is buying and why it matters
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center is seeking a vendor to design, fabricate, qualify, and deliver three flight models and one spare Frequency Reference System (FRS) for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission. Each FRS unit includes an optical reference cavity and frequency-locking electronics, which are crucial for stabilizing laser frequency to meet the mission's precise measurement needs.
Deliveries for this specialized equipment are scheduled between February 2029 and May 2030. This is a critical component for a significant space mission.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
This is a Request for Information (RFI), not a solicitation for proposals. The deadline to submit your capabilities and qualifications is September 19, 2026, at 4:30 PM Eastern Time. Submissions received by this date will be evaluated to determine if NASA should conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis.
NASA currently intends to award a sole source contract to BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc. However, if your firm can demonstrate it meets the requirements, NASA may reconsider its approach.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is for highly specialized firms with expertise in designing, fabricating, and qualifying advanced optical reference cavities and frequency-locking electronics for space flight. The ideal vendor would have directly relevant flight heritage across both FRS optical and electronic subsystems.
Experience with custom, long-lead FRS components and established relationships with specialized suppliers are also important. This is an equipment-focused opportunity within the aerospace and defense sector.
How to respond to this RFI
To respond, you must submit your capabilities and qualifications electronically via email. Send your submission to [email protected]. Ensure your email is sent no later than 4:30 PM Eastern Time on September 19, 2026.
The purpose of your submission is to demonstrate your ability to perform the effort and potentially influence NASA's decision on whether to pursue a competitive acquisition.
Tips for preparing a competitive response
Even though this is an RFI and a sole source is intended, clearly articulate your firm's unique qualifications. Focus on specific past performance, especially projects with similar technical requirements and aggressive delivery schedules.
Highlight any flight heritage, existing hardware baselines, and established supplier relationships that demonstrate your capability to meet the full FRS-O and FRS-E requirements. Provide concrete examples of how your firm can meet or exceed the technical specifications and delivery timelines mentioned in the RFI.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from National Aeronautics and Space Administration; the original posting controls.