Spaceflight Readiness Training (SFRT) Aircraft Modernization

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

This notice is issued by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) to post a Request for Information (RFI) to request responses from interested parties. This document 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.

NASA JSC is hereby requesting information from potential sources for the Spaceflight Readiness Training (SFRT) Aircraft Modernization evaluation requirement.

NASA JSC 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 the SFRT Aircraft Modernization evaluation requirement. 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) 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

NASA JSC is conducting market research to obtain industry information regarding availability, capability, schedule, sustainment models, and cost efficacy for modern high-performance jet aircraft that could be used in evaluation and an evaluation program for supporting NASA's astronaut SFRT requirements.

NASA has operated the T-38N fleet in support of astronaut SFRT for several decades. With the U.S. Air Force planning to retire the T‑38 fleet in the 2030–2035 timeframe, NASA is evaluating options to transition to a more modern high-performance aircraft.

Prior to any fleet transition, NASA seeks to conduct a limited-scope evaluation program using a small number of modern aircraft to determine:

• Suitability for astronaut training
• Operational characteristics and safety margins
• Curriculum integration and human factors
• Maintenance concepts and mission capable rate
• Supply chain considerations
• Overall fleet feasibility and lifecycle expectations

This evaluation program is not a full fleet buy or replacement. It is intended to operate a small number of aircraft within JSC’s existing operational framework to assess compatibility, logistics, cost efficacy, and training impact.

NASA is interested in understanding whether industry can provide a:

• Direct replacement solution
• Bridge capability that would preserve operational capacity while a full solution is developed or fielded
• Phased capability delivery approach that introduces mission capability over time, or
• Combination of the above

Respondents should clearly identify which elements of their response are available as near-term solutions and which require additional development, certification, production, or integration effort.

Desired Aircraft Characteristics

NASA is seeking information on existing, production, or near-production high-performance jet aircraft capable of supporting SFRT. Pertinent aircraft characteristics include:

• High reliability with established maintenance documentation
• Self-starting engine capability
• Performance comparable to a modern jet trainer/light fighter aircraft
• Capability to support dynamic maneuvering, formation flying, and cross-country navigation
• Dual-seat, dual-control configuration (tandem or side-by-side)
• Modern avionics compatible with instrument flight operations
• Aircraft capable of being single-pilot qualified from either seat is highly desired

NASA is not restricting industry responses to a specific performance class or aircraft design heritage.

NASA anticipates evaluating a small number of aircraft over a multi-year period. NASA requests information on potential procurement options such as lease, lease-to-own, barter, or other arrangements due to limited upfront procurement funding.

NASA would provide:

• NASA aircrew
• NASA flight operations oversight
• Aircrew training requirements definition
• Integration with current JSC aviation operations

Industry respondents are invited to propose providing:

• Aircraft to be solely operated by NASA Aircrews
• All levels of maintenance (on site or contractor-performed)
• Spare parts provisioning
• Technical data and software access
• Flight restrictions/special procedures, if any
• Recommended configuration for NASA’s mission profile

NASA is open to operating the aircraft under reasonable flight hour limits, maneuver restrictions, or operational envelopes consistent with contractor recommendations.

Capability Statement

Interested firms having the required capabilities necessary to meet the requirements described herein should submit a capability statement of no more than 15 pages in PDF format, excluding appendices, demonstrating their ability to support NASA's SFRT Aircraft Modernization requirements.

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

NASA requests that industry provide the following information, to the extent available:

Aircraft Capability Information

• Aircraft performance specifications
• Avionics suite description
• Safety systems and redundancy
• Flight envelope and any operational limitations
• Training requirements for initial and recurrent pilot qualification to include simulator access, if required
• Maintenance man‑hours per flight hour data
• Mission capable rate history or projections

Sustainment and Maintenance

• Recommended maintenance concept for NASA operations
• Availability of on‑site support or remote technical assistance
• Supply chain reliability and parts availability
• Phase/depot cycle timelines and cost drivers

Availability and Schedule

• Earliest available delivery/lease timelines
• Expected lead times for aircraft, parts, or training
• Programmatic schedule assumptions

Cost Information (Rough Order of Magnitude)

• Estimated monthly or annual aircraft lease cost
• Estimated cost per flight hour
• Maintenance support cost options
• Optional services (training, software updates, spares provisioning)

Contracting Models

NASA is interested in considering a variety of contractual approaches, including:

• Operating lease
• Short‑term or long‑term lease
• Lease with maintenance included
• Barter or mission-based arrangements (describe if possible)
• NASA-provided pilots with contractor-provided sustainment
• Terms and Conditions/Liability/Damage coverage required
• Other financial considerations

Respondents may propose additional contracting models as appropriate.

Company Capability and Experience

• Summary of relevant experience supporting government or flight‑training organizations
• Certifications, facility clearances, flight safety track record
• Customer references (if available)

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 pre-solicitation or solicitation notice.

This RFI 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 requested. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. The Government may not respond to questions/concerns submitted.

Do not provide any proprietary data.

All responses must be submitted electronically via email to the Contracting Officer, Lilyana Pequeno at lilyana.p.pequeno@nasa.gov no later than 5 p.m. CDT, Monday, September 28, 2026. Please reference SFRT Aircraft Modernization in any response.

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