Draft RFP and Pre-solicitation Synopsis: Engineering Services and Science Capability Augmentation (ESSCA) II

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. NO PROPOSALS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE.

This notice is issued by the NASA/MSFC to post a Draft Request for Proposals (DRFP) to solicit responses from interested parties and to notify interested parties that the Government anticipates release of the RFP 80MSFC26R0002 the week of November 17, 2025, with the anticipated due date for proposals being January 15, 2026. The DRFP is for information and planning purposes and to allow industry the opportunity to verify reasonableness and feasibility of the requirement, as well as promote competition.

Important Notice: In the event of a lapse of Federal appropriations, no Government personnel are anticipated to support ESSCA II activities or be available to answer industry inquiries. Scheduled dates (e.g., Industry Day) are subject to change depending on when appropriations become available to continue support of the ESSCA II acquisition.

The principal purpose of the Engineering Services and Science Capability Augmentation (ESSCA) II contract is to provide engineering and scientific skills augmentation and related services primarily to MSFC, including MAF, and SSC. The contract permits use by NASA Headquarters and all other NASA Centers. The contractor will provide skills augmentation and may provide end-item deliverables reliant on the following major skill areas: Aerosciences; Avionics & Electrical Systems; Flight Software and Ground Test; Materials Research, Analysis, Processes, Testing and Hardware Development; Operability; Optics; Propulsion Systems; Scientific Disciplines; Structural and Mechanical; Systems Engineering; Test Design and Operations; and Thermal and Fluids. The work will generally fall into one, or a combination of, the following categories: providing engineering product(s) for flight and science missions; providing technical oversight / insight support for flight and science missions; and providing engineering product(s) and technical oversight / insight support for research and development activities.

ESSCA II will be issued as a full and open competition and will result in a single-award indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract with potential for cost-plus-award-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and firm-fixed-price orders. The North American Industry Classification System code for this acquisition is 541715, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology), (Exception 3) - Guided Missiles and Space Vehicles, their Propulsion Units and Propulsion Parts, and the small business size standard is 1,300 Employees. The Product Service Code is R425, Support-Professional: Engineering/Technical (non-IT). The contract potential period of performance is 8 years and 10 months, consisting of up to a 4-month phase-in period, a 5-year base ordering period, a 3-year optional ordering period, and a 6-month optional extension period permitted by FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services.

The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial product or commercial service using FAR Part 12.

This DRFP is issued as an acquisition-planning instrument and a means of soliciting industry comments for use in developing a final RFP. This DRFP and presolicitation synopsis is not a solicitation and NASA is not requesting proposals. This DRFP and presolicitation synopsis is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for the information submitted in response. The Government may not respond to questions/concerns submitted. The Government will use the information provided by industry during this DRFP review to finalize the RFP as necessary. The DRFP is provided in the attachments section of this SAM.gov posting. Note: The Government will also use information provided by industry during the related ESSCA II ATOMS Request for Information market research activity (see related posting under 80MSFC24R0015) to finalize the RFP as necessary.

Interested parties are invited to comment on all aspects of the DRFP. The cognizant contracting office responsible for this procurement is MSFC. Interested parties are requested to review the DRFP and submit written comments and questions via email to the Contracting Officer, Sadie Moulton (sadie.m.moulton@nasa.gov), no later than 2:00 p.m., Central Time, on October 20, 2025. When responding reference 80MSFC26R0002 in the subject line.

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at: https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf

A virtual industry day briefing is planned for Friday, October 17, 2025, in accordance with Section L, provision MSFC 52.210-91, Virtual Industry Day Meeting.

If a solicitation is released, then it and any additional documents will be available on SAM.gov. Prospective offerors are encouraged to notify this office of their intent to submit an offer. All responsible sources may submit an offer which will be considered by the agency.

It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor this website for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any).