Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Frequency Reference System (FRS) Flight

NASA/GSFC is hereby soliciting information from potential sources for three flight assemblies and one flight spare Frequency Reference System (FRS) for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission delivered according to anticipated schedule. Each FRS unit shall consist of an optical reference cavity (ORC) and associated electronics. The scope of this requirement is anticipated to include design, analysis, fabrication and full qualification of the flight units with environmental testing. See the attached LISA FRS Flight Requirements Document for a detailed description of the requirements.

The following major reviews are anticipated:

1. Flight contract kickoff
2. Preliminary Design Review (PDR)
3. Critical Design Review (CDR)
4. Pre-Environmental Review (PER) for each unit
5. Pre-Shipment Review (PER) for each unit
6. Monthly Status Reviews (MSRs) virtually or at vendor facility as conditions warrant (status, schedule, changes, technical performance metrics, issues, anomalies, mishaps)
7. Vendor support for Project Preliminary Design Review and Project Critical Design Review

The following environmental tests are anticipated:

1. EMI/EMC
2. Vibration
3. Shock
4. Thermal Balance with four thermal cases (hot operational, cold operational, hot survival, and cold survival)
5. Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) testing. All units must complete 8 cycles with temperature plateau criteria matched to thermal sensor nearest to FRS-O internal cavity to ensure temperature-driven stresses are exercised. Comprehensive performance testing must be performed at first and last cycles including basic functionality testing at maximum, minimum, and nominal voltages. Long-term measurements must continue during operational temperature transitions.
6. Comprehensive performance testing (one before any environmental testing, one at first and last hot plateau in TVAC, one at first and last cold plateau in TVAC, and one after all environmental testing has been completed). Comprehensive performance testing includes verification of all performance requirements.

Targeted delivery dates:

Flight unit #1 – February 9 2029
Flight unit #2 – September 4 2029
Flight unit #3 – March 11 2030
Flight spare – May 31 2030
Number of deliveries – 3 flight units, 1 spare unit (fully tested and qualified)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) GSFC is seeking capability statements from all interested parties, including all socioeconomic categories of Small Businesses (SB) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)/Minority Institutions (MI) for the purposes of determining the appropriate level of competition and/or small business subcontracting goals for LISA FRS Flight. Vendors are encouraged to demonstrate capabilities as a prime, subcontractor and/or teaming partner. The Government reserves the right to consider a Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), HUBZone, Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, and Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) business set-aside based on responses received.

Respondents are requested to provide informed input on realistic and appropriate SB subcontracting and/or participation goals for the specific requirement. This type of feedback supports NASA’s market research and helps ensure the acquisition strategy is aligned with actual industry capability. Industry feedback is requested for:

1. SB Subcontracting goals;
2. Barriers that may limit SB participation, such as certifications, unique technical requirements, security needs, specialized tools, or high-risk performance areas and/or
3. Strategies to increase SB participation, including:

• Breaking requirements into smaller components
• Identifying areas appropriate for subcontracting
• Considering teaming or mentor protégé approaches

No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov. Interested firms are responsible for monitoring this website for the release of any presolicitation or solicitation notice.

Interested firms having the required capabilities necessary to meet the above requirement described herein should submit a capability statement of no more than 10 pages indicating the ability to perform all aspects of the effort as well as a supporting Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM). See Section 2.1 of Attachment A for detailed instructions on the capability statement. The ROM should be broken down into two fundamental partitions which both include design, development, assembly, integration, management, mission assurance, systems engineering, and review support:

1. First flight unit with assumed non-recurring engineering (NRE)
2. All subsequent flight and spare units

Please advise if the requirement is considered a commercial or commercial-type product. A commercial product and commercial service is defined in FAR Part 2, Definitions.

All responses must be submitted electronically via email to Stefan Flessa at stefan.d.flessa@nasa.gov no later than 5:00 PM EDT on August 6th 2026. Please reference LISA FRS Flight in any response. 

This sources sought notice is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.