Network Extension for User Continuity and Sustainability (NEXUS) Ka-Band Backward-Compatible Relay Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) NextSTEP-3 Appendix E - Final Solicitation

UPDATE 6: Final Solicitation Release

Question Submittal Window: Closes end of day June 9, 2026

Proposal Due Date: 10:00 a.m. Central Time, July 7, 2026

Update 6 constitutes the final solicitation release and supersedes all prior versions. This notice does not commit the Government to award, nor will the Government reimburse any costs incurred in preparing responses.

NASA hereby releases the NextSTEP-3 APPENDIX E: Network Extension for User Continuity and Sustainability (NEXUS) Backward-Compatible Ka-Band Relay Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), Solicitation 80MSFC26R0006.

NAICS: 541715

Set-Aside: None

Foreign Participation: Not permitted

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, applies. Current Ombudsman information is available at .... Read More

Update 3:  NASA release Draft Solicitation Industry Day Charts, which include Batch #1 of industry questions / inquiries and NASA’s responses.

NASA also invites Contractor’s who are not only interested in NEXUS, but other Commercial Services Projects (CSP) to register for  NASA's Near-Earth Space Relay Industry Day at the following link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/9z3rywz?mode=preview&source_id=4810d636-af6c-4303-b5bc-aa8de2821fa6&source_type=em&c=  Contractor’s may also use the QR code provided on Chart #33 of the Draft Solicitation Industry Day package to register.

All information related to this NEXUS TDRS-BC acquisition should be directed to and through Jennifer George, Lead Contracting Officer, NASA/MSFC/PS50 to Jennifer George at Jennifer.George@nasa.gov and .... Read More

Update: NASA release of the draft competitive Appendix E solicitation under the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships-3 (NextSTEP-3) Omnibus for Project NEXUS, Ka-band Backward-Compatible Relay.

As the aging Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) declines, NASA’s objective is to acquire an end-to-end Ka-band relay service, including space, ground, launch, integration, and operations elements, that is backward compatible with legacy TDRSS users for a minimum of fifteen (15) years. This capability is needed to support select on-orbit missions that cannot feasibly modify flight hardware or transition to non-compatible commercial services. Industry is being asked to develop and demonstrate .... Read More

Amendament 2 posted on 4/8/26

The purpose of this Amendment is to add the draft statement of objectives (SOO) as an Attachment. 

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Amendment 1 posted on 3/25/26

NASA intends to release a BAA under Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP-3), Appendix E, for Project NEXUS, Ka-band Backward- Compatible Relay. As the aging Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRS) declines, NASA’s objective is to acquire an end-to-end Ka-band relay service, including space, ground, launch, integration, and operations elements, that is backward compatible with legacy TDRS users for a minimum of fifteen years. This capability .... Read More

Amendment 1 posted on 3/25/26

NASA intends to release a BAA under Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP-3), Appendix E, for Project NEXUS, Ka-band Backward- Compatible Relay. As the aging Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRS) declines, NASA’s objective is to acquire an end-to-end Ka-band relay service, including space, ground, launch, integration, and operations elements, that is backward compatible with legacy TDRS users for a minimum of fifteen years. This capability is needed to support select on-orbit missions that cannot feasibly modify flight hardware or transition to non-compatible commercial services. To reduce growing continuity risk in the .... Read More

NASA intends to release a BAA under Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP-3), Appendix E, for Project NEXUS, Ka-band Backward- Compatible Relay. As the aging Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) declines, NASA’s objective is to acquire an end-to-end Ka-band relay service, including space, ground, launch, integration, and operations elements, that is backward compatible with legacy TDRSS users for a minimum of fifteen years. This capability is needed to support select on-orbit missions that cannot feasibly modify flight hardware or transition to non-compatible commercial services. To reduce growing continuity risk in the 2029- 2031 timeframe, industry is asked .... Read More