How to bid on NASA's ORBIT services contract for Johnson Space Center

What NASA is buying and why it matters to your business

NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) is planning a new contract called Operations, Research, and Broad Innovative Technology Services (ORBIT). This contract will provide mission engineering, mission support, specialized IT and operations, technical assessments, and advanced mission research and development. It is expected to be a multiple-award contract with Firm-Fixed-Price task orders.

This is an opportunity for businesses involved in computer systems design services and related professional services. NASA is looking for feedback from the industry to help shape the final solicitation. Your input can influence how the contract is structured, including small business participation goals.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This Request for Information (RFI) and Sources Sought Notice (SSN) was published on September 04, 2026. Your capability statement and industry feedback must be submitted by October 05, 2026, at 6:00 PM ET. This is market research, not a request for proposals, so no proposals should be submitted at this time.

The deadline is for submitting your company's capabilities and feedback on the draft Statement of Work. NASA will use this information to determine the procurement method and appropriate competition levels for the eventual contract.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for firms with capabilities in mission and systems engineering, technical evaluation and analysis, specialized IT and operations, and advanced mission research and development. The primary NAICS code is 541512, Computer Systems Design Services, with a small business size standard of $34 million.

NASA welcomes responses from all interested parties, including large and small businesses, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), and Minority Institutions (MI). You can respond as a potential prime contractor, subcontractor, or teaming partner.

How to respond to this RFI

To respond, you need to submit a capability statement of no more than 10 pages. This statement should detail your company's skills, experience, and capabilities to perform the work outlined in the draft Statement of Work (dSOW). You should specifically identify dSOW sections where your company can provide the stated capability using the Vendor Capability Matrix provided in the announcement.

Include information on any anticipated subcontracting or joint venture administrative structures, specifying which elements of work would be performed by the prime or joint venture partners versus subcontractors. Also, provide your company's name, address, and a point of contact including name and email address. You are also asked to provide feedback on potential barriers to bidding, strategies to increase competitiveness, and any innovations you might propose.

Practical tips for preparing a competitive response

Carefully review the draft Statement of Work (dSOW) to understand the full scope of services NASA is seeking. Tailor your capability statement to directly address each functional area and specific requirements mentioned in the dSOW. Use clear, concise language to describe your relevant experience and past performance.

When providing feedback, be specific and constructive. If you identify barriers to small business participation, suggest concrete strategies to overcome them, such as breaking down requirements or identifying suitable subcontracting areas. This demonstrates your understanding of the agency's goals and your commitment to collaboration.

Highlight any innovative approaches or technologies your company could bring to the ORBIT contract. Emphasize how your proposed innovations could improve performance, reduce costs, or enhance efficiency for NASA. This can make your response stand out and inform NASA's acquisition strategy.