National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

NASA Headquarters

Strategic Integration and Management Division 

300 E ST SW

Washington, D.C. 20546-0001

Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -2 

(NextSTEP-2)

Broad Agency Announcement NNH16ZCQ001K

Original Release: April 19, 2016

Amendment 23 Release: December 18, 2022

Effective through June 30, 2024 

Refer To Appendices for Proposal Due Dates

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: (43.003)
NextSTEP-2 Change Log

Version Description of Changes Date

Original Release ----- Apr 19, 2016

Amendment 1 Section numbering starting with Section 2.1 was corrected to Apr 22, 2016 

Fix a formatting error.

Amendment 2 Replaced announcement number “NNHZCQ001K” with Jun 3, 2016 

correct announcement number “NNH16ZCQ001K.

Section 5.2 - Changed the labels for assessment levels from 

“(Excellent, Very Good, Good, Poor)” to “(Very Good, Good, 

Satisfactory, Poor)”. This change does not impact the evaluation 

process.

Amendment 3 Extended Effective Date of Omnibus BAA from May 3, 2017 

December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018.

Added Appendix B, In-Space Manufacturing Fabrication Laboratory

Amendment 4 Added Appendix C, Power and Propulsion Element(PPE) Studies Aug 11, 2017 

Amendment 5 Added Appendix D, In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Dec 4, 2017

Technology

Amendment 6 Added Appendix F, Logistics Reduction (LR) in Space by Trash Jul 3, 2018 

Compaction and Processing System (TCPS)

Extended Effective Date of Omnibus BAA 

from December 31, 2018 to December 31,

2020

Amendment 7 Added Appendix G, Space Relay Partnership and Services Study Sep 18, 2018 

Amendment 8 Updated certified cost/price threshold from $750K to $2M Feb 7, 2019

Added Appendix E, Human Landing System Studies, Risk Reduction, 

Development, and Demonstration

Removed proposal file size limit

Corrected NextSTEP solicitation numbers in Appendix cover pages 

Clarified period of performance description

Amendment 9 Added Appendix I, Commercial Destination Development in Low Jun 21, 2019 

Earth Orbit using the International Space Station

Minor edits for format consistency and hyperlink updates

Amendment 10 Added Appendix J, Opportunities to Stimulate Demand in Low July 3, 2019 

Low Earth Orbit through Applied Research

Minor edits for format consistency
Amendment 11 Added Appendix H Draft RFP, Human Landing System Integrated

Lander July 19, 2019

Amendment 12 Updated Appendix H Draft RFP, Human Landing System August 30, 2019

Amendment 13 Appendix H RFP, Human Landing System September 30, 2019 

Amendment 14a Appendix K DRAFT, Commercial Destination Development in

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Free Flyer October 3, 2019

Amendment 14b Updated Appendix H RFP, Human Landing System October 25, 2019 

Amendment 15 Revisions to Section 3.2 Guidelines for International Participation October 8, 2020

Extended effectivity through December 31, 2021

Amendment 16 Appendix N: Sustainable Human Landing System Studies and July 1, 2021 

Risk Reduction

Updated Section 7 Points of Contact 

Updated links in Section 8

Amendment 17 Appendix N: Sustainable Human Landing System Studies and July 20, 2021 

Risk Reduction Amendment 1

Revised Section 5.7 Points of Contact

Amendment 18 Appendix N: Sustainable Human Landing System Studies and July 22, 2021 

Risk Reduction Amendment 2

Amendment 19 Extended Effective Date of Omnibus BAA from November 8, 2021 

December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022

Amendment 20 Added Appendix O: Capability Studies for NASA Communications March 29, 2021 

and Navigation Network Direct-to-Earth (DTE) and Lunar Space Relay

(LSR) Commercialization Services 

Updated references to www.sam.gov

Updated Section 6.1 Award Notices

Amendment 21 Added Appendix P Draft BAA: Sustaining Lunar Development (SLD) March 31, 2022 

Realigned organizational references throughout the document

Updated weblinks and Ombudsman

Removed Director, AES, as default Selection official

Amendment 22 Extended Effective Date of Omnibus BAA from December 6, 2022 

December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023

Amendment 23 Extended Effective Date of Omnibus BAA from December 18, 2023 

December 31, 2023 to June 30, 2024
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

4

Table of Contents

Scope of this Solicitation..............................................................................................................................................5

1. Introduction and Background................................................................................................................................6

1.1 Overview.................................................................................................................................................6

1.2 General Information for Participants .....................................................................................................6

2. Funding Opportunity Description..........................................................................................................................7

2.1 ESDMD and SOMD Research Elements..................................................................................................7

2.2 Research Emphases of this Omnibus Solicitation...................................................................................8

2.3 NASA Safety Policy..................................................................................................................................8

2.4 Availability of Funds for Award...............................................................................................................8

2.5 Additional Funding Restrictions..............................................................................................................9

2.6 Access to Research Results/Data Management Plan .............................................................................9

2.7 Intellectual Property Developed Under an Award ...............................................................................10

3. Eligibility Information..........................................................................................................................................10

3.1 Eligibility of Applicants..........................................................................................................................10

3.2 Guidelines for International Participation............................................................................................11

4. Proposal Submission Information .......................................................................................................................13

4.1 Instructions for Proposals.....................................................................................................................13

4.2 Proprietary Information.......................................................................................................................16

5. Proposal Review Information..............................................................................................................................17

5.1 Compliance Review ..............................................................................................................................17

5.2 Evaluation.............................................................................................................................................17

5.3 Selection Official...................................................................................................................................17

5.4 Personnel..............................................................................................................................................17

5.5 Evaluation Criteria ................................................................................................................................18

5.6 Cost/Price Review and Programmatic Relevance/Balance ..................................................................18

5.7 Process for Appeals ..............................................................................................................................18

5.8 Review of Applicants in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System(FAPIIS)

...............................................................................................................................................................19

6. Award Administration Information.....................................................................................................................19

6.1 Award Notices ......................................................................................................................................19

6.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements...............................................................................19

6.3 Post-Award Program Reporting............................................................................................................20

7. Contacts 20

8. References...........................................................................................................................................................20

Attachments.....................................................................................................................................................................21

APPENDIX TITLE PAGES ....................................................................................................................................................23
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

5

Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships-2

Scope of this Solicitation

This National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), titled Next Space 

Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -2 (NextSTEP-2), solicits concept studies, basic and applied research and 

technology development and demonstrations in support of NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission 

Directorate (ESDMD) and Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD). NextSTEP-2 is an omnibus covering all 

aspects of basic and applied supporting research and technology for Human Space Exploration and robotic precursor 

activities. NASA’s Strategic Integration and Management Division, reporting to both ESDMD and SOMD, manages the 

NextSTEP-2 omnibus. Research areas will be announced by issuing Appendices to this BAA, to include, but not limited 

to: studies to support mission architecture definition, new approaches to rapidly develop prototype systems, 

demonstration of key capabilities, validation of operational concepts for future human missions beyond low-Earth orbit, 

and end-to-end design, development, test, and in-space evaluation of future flight systems. The intent is that awards 

resulting from this BAA will enable public-private partnerships for robust exploration and implementation of 

opportunities managed by NASA’s ESDMD and SOMD. The BAA anticipates that the capabilities and technologies 

developed through these partnerships also will provide significant commercial applications beyond NASA. In order to 

ensure the offerors have the incentive to develop commercial applications, NASA may require offerors provide 

corporate contributions. The long-term capability areas identified for research are intended to significantly benefit future 

human space exploration.

Specific Research Opportunities will be announced periodically as Appendices to this Omnibus BAA. Each appendix 

will contain detailed information about specific research emphases, concepts and technologies being sought, and 

solicitation logistics for that appendix. The appendices will have the funding and the specifics with regard to proposal 

instructions, eligibility, selection criteria and award decisions where they may differ from the content of this omnibus. 

Proposal due dates will be posted at http://www.nasa.gov/nextstep and the links provided below. Interested applicants 

should monitor http://www.nasa.gov/nextstep, http://www.sam.gov, and http://www.grants.gov/ (where applicable) for 

additional new program elements or amendments to this BAA through December 2023. A web archive for amendments, 

clarifications, and corrections to NextSTEP can be found at http://nasa.gov/nextstep.

Proposals in research areas not requested in the solicitation appendix will be deemed non-compliant and will not be 

reviewed.

It is anticipated awards will range from under $100K per year for focused, limited efforts (e.g. concept studies) to more

than several million per year for extensive activities (e.g., development of engineering prototypes, flight experiment 

hardware and flight experiments). The funds available for awards will be listed in the Appendices. Awards will be made 

as grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts depending on the nature of the work proposed, the proposing 

organization, and/or program requirements. When appropriate, the Appendix will specify the type of vehicle 

contemplated for award and the anticipated period of performance. The period of performance typically varies from a 

few months up to five years, however some opportunities may extend beyond five years.

The Appendices will specify what types of organizations are allowed to submit proposals and/or participate for the 

particular program element research activity. Note: It is NASA policy that all investigations involving non-U.S. 

organizations will be conducted on the basis of no exchange of funds. Unless otherwise stated the rules in the Guidebook 

for Proposers Responding to a NASA Funding Announcement (hereafter referred to as the NASA Guidebook for 

Proposers) are the default, but NextSTEP-2 takes precedent where there are differences. Any changes or modifications

to any of the guidelines in this Summary of Solicitation will be specified in the descriptions of the relevant program 

elements in the Appendices of this solicitation.

Order of Precedence: The Guidebook vs. NextSTEP-2 vs. Program Elements: Of course, statutes and regulations always 

apply and take precedence over any solicitation or guidance. There may be cases when the instructions in more than one
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

6

of these documents are contradictory. In cases of contradictions between texts, individual Program Elements take 

precedence over this Summary of Solicitation, and this Summary of Solicitation takes precedence over the Guidebook.

Additional information or programmatic changes that may affect this omnibus BAA solicitation or any of its Appendices 

will be added as a formal amendment to this omnibus solicitation and posted on the solicitation’s webpage at 

http://www.nasa.gov/nextstep, http://www.sam.gov/ and http://www.grants.gov/ (where applicable). It is each 

prospective applicant’s responsibility to check the webpage for updates concerning the solicitation and the programs of 

interest. In addition, applicants should monitor the questions and answer log document posted on the NextSTEP 

webpage. The Q&A log will be updated periodically with questions and answers posed by potential offerors.

1. Introduction and Background

1.1 Overview

NASA has increasingly embraced public-private partnerships for achieving its strategic goals and objectives for 

expanding the frontiers of knowledge, capabilities, and opportunities in space. The next step for human spaceflight is the 

development of deep space exploration capabilities and demonstrating these capabilities in cislunar space. An important 

part of NASA’s strategy is to stimulate the commercial space industry while leveraging those same commercial 

capabilities through future contracts and public-private partnerships to deliver mission capabilities. The initial Next 

Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) was released in 

2014 with selections made in 2015. This effort, NextSTEP-2, will solicit additional proposals to continue NASA’s 

development of space exploration technologies, capabilities, and concepts.

NASA’s activities in enabling the pioneering of space are being driven by a set of guiding principles:

• FISCAL REALISM: Implementable in the near-term with the buying power of current budgets and in the longer 

term with budgets commensurate with economic growth;

• SCIENTIFIC EXPLORATION: Exploration enables science and science enables exploration; leveraging 

scientific expertise for human exploration of the solar system.

• TECHNOLOGY PULL AND PUSH: Application of high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) technologiesfor 

near term missions, while focusing sustained investments on technologies and capabilities to address the 

challenges of future missions;

• GRADUAL BUILD UP OF CAPABILITY: Near-term mission opportunities with a defined cadence of 

compelling and integrated human and robotic missions, providing for an incremental buildup of capabilitiesfor 

more complex missions over time;

• ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY: Opportunities for U.S. commercial business to further enhance their experience 

and business base.

• ARCHITECTURE OPENNESS AND RESILENCE: Resilient architecture featuring multi-use, evolvable space 

infrastructure, minimizing unique developments, with each mission leaving something behind to support 

subsequent missions;

• GLOBAL COLLABORATION AND LEADERSHIP: Substantial new international and commercial 

partnerships, leveraging current International Space Station partnerships and building new cooperative ventures 

for exploration; and

• CONTINUITY OF HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT: Uninterrupted expansion of human presence into the solar 

system by establishing a regular cadence of crewed missions to cislunar space during ISS lifetime.

1.2 General Information for Participants

• Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

• Announcement Title: NextSTEP Broad Agency Announcement -2

• Responsible Office: Strategic Integration and Management Division 

NASA Headquarters
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

7

Washington, DC 20546

• Point of Contact: Deputy Director, Strategic Integration & Management Division

NASA Headquarters

E-mail: HQ-NextSTEP-BAA@mail.nasa.gov

• Notice of Intent: To assist in the planning of the proposal evaluation process, NASA strongly encourages the 

submission of a Notice of Intent (NOI) to propose by all prospective offerors. Due dates for the NOI will be 

specified in the element appendix. The NOI should contain the following information: name, address, telephone 

number, e-mail address, and institutional affiliation of the offeror, and the solicitation topic in which you intend 

to propose. NOIs shall be submitted electronically to the Point of Contact e-mail address below. Please note that 

NOIs are strongly encouraged, but are not required. Not submitting an NOI will not impact the selection 

process.

• Proposal Submittals: Proposals shall be submitted electronically in Adobe pdf format to the Point of Contact email address below. Hard copies will not be accepted.

• Inquiries: There will be an opportunity to submit written questions for each appendix released. The questions 

shall not contain proprietary information nor require proprietary information in the response. NASA will not 

provide evaluations, opinions, or recommendations regarding any suggested approaches or concepts. All 

questions shall be directed to the NextSTEP e-mail box HQ- NextSTEP-BAA@mail.nasa.gov no later than the 

date specified in the appendix. Inquiries shall identify the BAA number and Appendix in the subject field of emails.

• Industry Forum: A NextSTEP Partnership virtual opportunity forum will be held electronically for each 

appendix released and proposers will have a chance to ask questions about that particular solicitation. The 

meeting agenda and related information will be posted to the NextSTEP website.

• Web Site for Reference Information: http://www.nasa.gov/nextstep

This solicitation constitutes a BAA as contemplated by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 35 and NASA FAR 

Supplement (NFS) Part 1835 and 1852.235-72.

NASA will not issue paper copies of this Announcement. The Announcement and associated Appendices related 

documents, and other information may be obtained and downloaded from http://www.sam.gov, the NextSTEP Web site, 

and http://www.grants.gov/ (where applicable). Reference information also may be found on 

http://www.nasa.gov/nextstep. Proposers are encouraged to refer regularly to this site for updates and other information. 

Responses to submitted questions concerning the Announcement will be posted periodically on this Web site.

2. Funding Opportunity Description

2.1 ESDMD and SOMD Research Elements

The ESDMD and SOMD activities are organized into six major domains to facilitate management of related activities: 

Crew Mobility Systems, Habitation Systems, Vehicle Systems, Foundational Systems, Robotic Precursor Activities, and 

Strategic Operations, Integration, and Studies. Activities focus on human spaceflight architecture analysis, human space 

flight systems for deep space and robotic precursor missions to identify and fill in knowledge gaps related to potential 

destinations in advance of flight missions. Major areas of work include systems development for more reliable life 

support; deep space habitation technology; advanced in-space propulsion; advanced space suit sub-system technology; 

landing capabilities; in situ resource prospecting and processing; and overall capabilities to reduce logistics requirements 

to support future human spaceflight missions.
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

8

Within this framework, NASA is pursuing public-private partnerships to develop beyond Earth orbit habitation systems, 

life support systems, advanced electric propulsion systems, small satellites, commercial lunar landers, and in-situ 

resource utilization (ISRU) measurements and systems. These efforts will enable human space flight to become 

increasingly Earth independent and capable of expanding into the solar system. Through this pioneering work, we seek 

the capacity to learn, operate, and thrive safely in space for an extended, and eventually indefinite, period with a reduced 

supply chain from Earth.

The six functional domains from which research elements will derive are as follows:

1. Crew Mobility Systems. The Crew Mobility Systems domain encompasses capabilities that enable the crew to 

conduct “hands-on” exploration and in-space operations. EVA and space suit sub-system technology 

advancements will lead to next generation space suits and portable life support systems in the future that are 

significant advancements beyond the current capabilities used today.

2. Habitat Systems. The focus of the Habitat Systems domain is enabling the crew to live and work safely in deep 

space. Activities include the expandable habitat demonstration - BEAM, NextSTEP deep space habitation 

development efforts, reliable life support systems, fire safety, logistics reduction, and radiation measurements 

and protection. These investments will progressively move from habitation sub-systems to integrated systems 

and then transition to definition, design, and development of habitation capabilities and systems for use in 

conjunction with Orion and SLS on Exploration Missions in the Proving Ground.

3. Vehicle Systems. Within the Vehicle Systems domain are efforts to develop technologies needed for advanced 

in-space propulsion stages and small robotic landers. Activities which will benefit future robotic and human 

missions by improving autonomous precision landing on planetary surfaces, as well as potential new propellants 

and/or propulsion systems. NASA shares these landing capabilities through public-private partnerships with 

industry under the Lunar CATALYST initiative. In addition, the Ascent Abort-2 flight test is under this domain. 

Other ongoing initiatives include work on advanced propulsion under the NextSTEP BAA awards and modular 

power for multiple exploration vehicles and systems such as fuel cells.

4. Foundational Systems. The Foundational Systems domain focuses on systems to enable more efficientmission 

and ground operations, and those that allow for more Earth independence, including autonomous mission 

operations, avionics and software, in-situ resource utilization, in- space manufacturing, synthetic biology, and 

communications and networking technologies.

5. Robotic Precursor Activities. Robotic Precursor Activities focus on developing robotic missions and 

instruments to provide data and information for analyzing the feasibility of potential destinations for human 

missions. Current activities include the internal and public-private partnership EM-1 secondary missions and 

instruments planned for the Mars 2020 rover mission.

6. Strategic Operations, Integration, and Studies. Responsible for the management oversight of the human 

exploration architecture and strategic planning, including mission and systems analysis and international 

coordination. Conduct studies and analyses to translate strategy into developmental (technology and capability) 

priorities and operational efficiencies.

2.2 Research Emphases of this Omnibus Solicitation

In pursuit of NASA’s strategic goal to send human missions beyond low Earth orbit and ultimately to the surface of 

Mars, this omnibus BAA solicits concepts and technologies to demonstrate key capabilities on ISS, in the proving 

ground of cislunar space, and Mars.

2.3 NASA Safety Policy

Safety is NASA’s highest priority. Safety is the freedom from those conditions that can cause death, injury, occupational 

illness, damage to or loss of equipment or property, or damage to the environment. NASA’s safety priority is to protect:

(1) the public, (2) pilots, (3) the NASA workforce (including employees working under NASA instruments), and (4) 

high-value equipment and property. All research conducted under NASA auspices shall conform to this policy.

2.4 Availability of Funds for Award

There is no funding associated with this omnibus solicitation. All funding will be associated with each particular 

appendix. The Government’s ability to make awards is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds and the
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

9

receipt of proposals that NASA determines are acceptable for award under this solicitation.

2.5 Additional Funding Restrictions

In addition to the funding restrictions and requirements given in the NASA Guidebook for Proposers, 2

200, 2 C.F.R. 1800, 14 C.F.R. 1274 and the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM), the following 

restrictions are applicable to this solicitation:

• The estimated funding and number of proposals anticipated to be funded are subject to the availability of 

appropriated funds, as well as the submission of a sufficient number of proposals of adequate merit.

• It is not anticipated that this solicitation will require the construction of facilities (i.e., buildings, structures, or 

other real property). However, if new or modified facilities are required to further the technology, the applicants 

shall clearly state the rationale. For further information on allowable costs, refer to the cost principles cited 2

C.F.R. 200 Subpart E – COST PRINCIPLES.

• U.S. award recipients may directly purchase supplies and/or services that do not constitute research from nonU.S. sources, but award funds may not be used to fund research carried out by non-U.S. organizations. However, 

subject to export control restrictions, a foreign national may receive remuneration through a NASA award for 

the conduct of research while employed either full or part time by a U.S. organization (see Section 1.6 of the 

NASA Guidebook for Proposers).

• Typically travel, including foreign travel, is allowed as may be necessary for the meaningful completion of the 

proposed investigation, as well as for publicizing its results at appropriate professional meetings.

• Profit for commercial firms is not allowable under grant or cooperative agreement awards. Recovery of costs 

only (no profit) for commercial organizations is allowed under grant awards. Costs for managing the project 

may be allowed. These costs, whether direct charges or part of the indirect cost agreement, must be consistent 

with 2 CFR 200 Subpart E.

Personnel from NASA Centers shall propose budgets based on Full Cost Accounting (FCA) regardless of whether 

functioning as a Principal Investigator or as a team member. Non-NASA U.S. Government organizations shall propose 

based on FCA unless no such standards are in effect; in that case such applicants shall follow the Managerial Cost 

Accounting Standards for the Federal Government as recommended by the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory 

Board. For further information, see http://www.hq.nasa.gov/fullcost/.

If not specified in an appendix, the NASA Awards Officer will determine the appropriate award instrument for the 

selections resulting from this solicitation. Grants and cooperative agreements will be subject to the policies and 

provisions identified in the regulations at 2 C.F.R. 200 and 1800, 14 C.F.R. 1274, NASA GCAM, and Appendix D of 

the NASA Guidebook for Proposers located at http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/nraguidebook/. In the case of 

any conflict, the regulations at 2 C.F.R. 200 and 1800 and the GCAM take precedence over the NASA Guidebook for 

Proposers. Contract awards will be subject to the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR; 

http://www.acquisition.gov/far/) and the NASA FAR Supplement (NFS;

https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/NFS.pdf).

2.6 Access to Research Results/Data Management Plan

In keeping with the “NASA Plan for Increasing Access to Results of Federally Funded Research” (located at 

http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/NASA_Data_Plan.pdf ), new provisions/terms and conditions about making 

manuscripts and data publicly accessible may be attached to awards that derive from this BAA. Proposals to NextSTEP2 may be required to provide a data management plan (DMP) or an explanation of why one is not necessary given the 

nature of the work proposed. The specific research opportunity will provide additional information. As applicable, each 

proposal must include a DMP that describes how data generated by proposed research will be shared and preserved and 

how data collected will be made available to the public. If a DMP is required, the offeror must justify any exceptions to 

making data publicly available, explaining why data-sharing and/or preservation is not possible or scientifically 

appropriate. Additionally, the DMP must describe how data sharing and preservation will enable validation of results, or 

how results could be validated if data are not shared or preserved. DMPs must provide a plan for making all research 

data underlying results and findings in publications digitally accessible at the time of publication. NASA will review 

DMPs during the evaluation/peer review of your proposal. Costs of the DMP should be included in the proposed
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

10

budget.

NASA anticipates that, starting in 2016, award recipients will be required to archive all as-accepted manuscript versions 

of publications that result from NASA contract and financial assistance awards in the National Institutes of Health 

PubMed Central full-text archive located at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/. This requirement will not go into effect 

until it is included in the provisions/terms and conditions of the awards. Details and instructions for archiving 

manuscripts will be fully described in future procurement/grant information circulars, Frequently Asked Questions 

(FAQs) and other official Agency announcements and training materials.

2.7 Intellectual Property Developed Under an Award

As noted, the objective of an award made under this BAA is to provide recipients with the incentive to develop 

commercial applications of technologies developed through the partnership. The intent is that awards resulting from this 

BAA will enable public-private partnerships for robust exploration and implementation of opportunities managed by 

ESDMD and SOMD. The BAA anticipates that the capabilities and technologies developed through these partnerships 

also will provide significant commercial applications beyond NASA. In order to ensure the offerors have the incentive to 

develop commercial applications, NASA may require offerors to provide corporate contributions.

2.7.1 Data Rights

Normally, the government has unlimited rights in technical data created by a contractor under a NASA contract. In 

some situations, recipients may protect qualifying limited rights data and restricted computer software, which has 

been developed at private expense, by withholding the data from the Government and instead delivering form, fit, 

and function data. However, even when delivery of limited rights data or restricted computer software is required 

to satisfy NASA's own needs, the government is under legal obligation to only use such data for prescribed 

purposes associated with the contract and to refrain from disclosing the data to unauthorized parties.

2.7.2 Patent Rights

The government will have certain statutory rights in an invention that is conceived or first actually reduced to 

practice under a NASA award. 51 U.S.C. 20135 (awards to large entities) provides that title to such inventions 

vests in the United States, except where 35 U.S.C. 202 provides otherwise for nonprofit organizations or small 

business firms.

Where 51 U.S.C. 20135 applies i.e., under an award with a large entity, a recipient may request a waiver to obtain 

title to inventions made under the award in accordance with 51 U.S.C. 20135(g) and 14 C.F.R. 1245 Subpart 1.

Such a request may be made in advance of the award or within 30 days thereafter. Even if a waiver request is not 

made, or denied, a large business recipient may request a waiver on individual inventions made during the course 

of the award.

NASA normally grants requests for waiver unless the interests of the United States are better served by restricting 

or eliminating all or part of the rights of a contractor as set forth in 14 CFR 1245.104(b). Among the most 

important goals are providing incentives to foster inventiveness and encouraging the reporting of inventions. As 

noted previously, corporate contributions are encouraged.

For joint inventions, NASA will typically agree, pursuant to a Joint Ownership Agreement, to refrain from 

exercising its undivided interest in a manner inconsistent with a recipient’s commercial interest.

For all recipients, the patent rights provision in a resulting award will require the disclosure to NASA of all subject 

inventions made under the contract. NASA considers the reporting of inventions an important metric that will be 

used to measure whether new technologies are being developed. Reporting of inventions also protects a recipient’s 

ownership to such inventions since NASA has the right to obtain title in unreported inventions.

3. Eligibility Information

3.1 Eligibility of Applicants
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

11

Participation in this program is open to all categories of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations, including educational 

institutions, industry, nonprofit organizations, NASA Centers and other Government agencies. Principal Investigators 

(PIs) may collaborate with investigators from universities, Federal Government laboratories, the private sector, state and 

local government laboratories, and other countries. Note: Specific appendices may limit the eligibility of applicants. It is 

NASA policy that research with foreign organizations will be accomplished on a no-exchange-of-funds basis. For 

further information, please see Section 3.2 for Guidelines for International Participation. For grants and cooperative 

agreements, NASA policy on research with foreign organizations is covered in 2 C.F.R. 1800.3. Exceptions or 

amendments to the eligible participants and partnerships for each solicitation topic are specified in the appendices to this 

omnibus announcement.

3.2 Guidelines for International Participation

3.2.1 Guidelines for International Team Members on U.S. Proposals

U.S. proposals may include international team members, subcontractors, or suppliers if proposed in accordance 

with the restrictions specified herein. International collaborations that demonstrate clear scientific benefits or 

cost savings are particularly encouraged. While Co-Investigators or collaborators employed by non-U.S. 

organizations may be identified as part of a proposal submitted by a U.S. organization, NASA funding through 

this BAA may not be used to support research and development efforts by non-U.S. organizations at any level. 

However, the direct purchase of supplies and/or services that do not constitute research from non-U.S. sources 

by U.S. award recipients is permitted. Furthermore, Principal Investigators and other team members, including 

graduate students, who are not U.S. citizens but are employed by or studying at a U.S. organization, may receive 

funding to support their research activities through this BAA.

3.2.2 Guidelines for International Proposals

NASA will consider, consistent with U.S. Government laws, policies and regulations, proposals from outside 

the U.S. However, foreign entities are not eligible for funding from NASA.Therefore, unless otherwise noted in 

the BAA, proposals from foreign entities should not include a cost plan unless the proposal involves 

collaboration with a U.S. institution, in which case a cost plan for only the participation of the U.S. entity must 

be included. Proposals from foreign entities and proposals from U.S. entities that include foreign participation 

must be endorsed by the respective government agency or funding/sponsoring institution in the country from 

which the foreign entity is proposing. NASA shall give careful consideration to proposals from foreign entities 

with such endorsements. If the proposal is selected, sufficient funds will be made available to the foreign entity 

by his/her country’s government agency or funding/sponsoring institution to undertake the activity as proposed.

All foreign proposals must be typewritten in English and comply with all other submission requirements stated 

in the BAA. All foreign proposals will undergo the same NASA evaluation and selection process as those 

originating in the U.S. All proposals must be received before the established closing date. Those proposals 

received after the closing date will be treated in accordance with the NASA Guidebook for Proposers.

Sponsoring foreign government agencies or funding institutions may, in exceptional situations, forward a 

proposal without endorsement if endorsement is not possible before the announced closing date. In such cases, 

the NASA sponsoring office should be advised when a decision on endorsement can be expected. Foreign 

entities that have submitted proposals, whether they have been selected or not, will be contacted directly by the 

NASA sponsoring office. Copies of these letters will be sent to the foreign sponsor.

Should a foreign proposal or a U.S. proposal with foreign participation be selected, and if otherwise necessary, 

NASA’s Office of International and Interagency Relations will follow the procedures specified at NASA FAR 

Supplement 1835.016-70(b).

NASA’s policy is to conduct research with non-U.S. entities on a no-exchange-of-funds basis. For further 

reference, please see NASA Policy Directive 1360.2B Initiation and Development of International Cooperation 

in Space and Aeronautics Programs (Revalidated w/Change 2), at the following address: 

https://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/npg_img/N_PD_1360_002B_/N_PD_1360_002B main.pdf
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

12

3.2.3 Export Control Guidelines Applicable to Proposals Including Foreign Participation 

Performance of activities under this BAA may require access to data that is subject to export control 

regulations. Any entity proposing for a contract under this BAA in order to be considered for award shall 

comply with all U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms 

Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 through 130, and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), 15 

CFR Parts 730 through 799, and must demonstrate their compliance and process in the performance of this 

contract.

The contractor shall comply with all U.S. export control laws including Export Administration Regulations 

(EAR) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Offerors are responsible for ensuring that all 

employees who will work on this contract are eligible under export control laws, EAR, and ITAR. Any 

employee who is not a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident may be restricted from working on this contract if 

the technology is restricted under export control laws, ITAR, or EAR unless the prior approval of the 

Department of State or the Department of Commerce is obtained via a technical assistance agreement or an 

export license. Violations of these regulations can result in criminal or civil penalties.

For further information on ITAR visit: http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/regulations_laws/itar.html

For further information on EAR visit https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/regulations/export-administrationregulations-ear

3.2.4 Assurance of Compliance – China Funding Restriction

Proposals must not include bilateral participation, collaboration, or coordination with China or any Chineseowned company or entity, whether funded or performed under a no-exchange-of funds arrangement. For grants 

and cooperative agreements—as stated in 2 CFR 1800 Appendix A, NASA requires Certifications, Assurances, 

and Representations, including Certifications and Assurances to implement restrictions in Appropriation Acts, 

which are applicable to all awards. By submission of a proposal, proposers are certifying that the proposing 

organization has read and is in compliance with all the Certifications, Assurances, and Representations, 

including that proposals must not include bilateral participation, collaboration, or coordination with China or 

any Chinese-owned company or entity, whether funded or performed under a no-exchange-of funds 

arrangement.

For all proposals, the following applies—an Assurance of Compliance with restrictions:

(1) NASA is restricted from using funds appropriated in the Acts to enter into or fund any grant or 

cooperative agreement of any kind to participate, collaborate, or coordinate bilaterally with 

China or any Chinese-owned company, at the prime recipient level and at all sub-recipient 

levels, whether the bilateral involvement is funded or performed under a no exchange of funds 

arrangement.

(2) Definition: “China or Chinese-owned Company” means the People’s Republic of China, any 

company owned by the People’s Republic of China, or any company incorporated under the 

laws of the People’s Republic of China.

(3) The restrictions in the Acts do not apply to commercial items of supply needed to perform a 

grant or cooperative agreement.

(4) By submission of its proposal, the applicant represents that the applicant is not China or a 

Chinese-owned company, and that the applicant will not participate, collaborate, orcoordinate 

bilaterally with China or any Chinese-owned company, at the prime recipient level or at any 

sub- recipient level, whether the bilateral involvement is funded or performed under a noexchange of funds arrangement.

Active Procurement Information Circulars (PICs) 12-01A instructs Contracting Officers to add
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

13

certification NFS 1852.225-72 entitled “Restriction on Funding Activity with China –

Representation” as well as NFS clause 1852.225-71entitled “Restriction on Funding Activity 

with China” in all contract awards.

3.2.5 Corporate Resources (Contracts)

For most research efforts, offerors will be required to show a specified amount of corporate contribution, made 

within the last five years, that is directly relevant to the proposed overall effort. Having the required corporate 

contribution is an eligibility requirement for award. The level of corporate contribution may vary and will be 

specified in the appendix. The overall effort is defined as the combination of corporate contribution and 

government resources required for the proposed effort. Corporate contribution are expected to be in the form of 

direct labor, travel, consumables or other direct in-kind contributions. Also, other reasonable forms of corporate 

contribution may include investments in special facilities or equipment, tooling or other prior private 

investment, including Independent Research and Development (IRAD). In most cases, NASA expects proposals 

will have a mix of in-kind contributions to the proposed effort as opposed to claiming all corporatecontributions 

based on prior investments.

Offerors shall describe how they intend to meet this eligibility requirement level in the proposal. An appendix to 

the proposal shall provide documentation showing proof of corporate contribution. An example of how to 

provide verifiable corporate contributions would be a table containing a synopsis of each IRAD activity, 

relevance to the proposal, corporate dollar investment and/or fraction of the relevant portion for that activity to 

the proposal, database or project reference identifier (for example the Defense Technical Information Center 

(DTIC) IR&D database source codes). For equipment or facility use, corporate contribution should be based on 

“Fair Market Value” (e.g. equivalent equipment or facility rental/lease rates for the period of use) with the 

contributions for the space or equipment limited to that necessary for the proposed effort.

For this BAA, state and local government contributions may be included with private corporate resources.

The value of participation by federally funded government funded participants and/or the use of federal 

government facilities shall be added to the price to the government for determining whether the required level 

corporate contribution for that research element has been met.

Criteria and procedures for the allowability and allocability of cash and non-cash contributions shall be 

governed by FAR Parts 30 and 31, and NFS Parts 1830 and 1831 NASA reserves the right to hold due diligence 

discussions to make reasonable determinations regarding corporate contributions.

3.2.6 Cost Sharing or Matching (Grants and Cooperative Agreements)

For an institution of higher education, hospital, or other non-profit organization seeking to receive a grant or 

cooperative agreement, cost-sharing is not required; however, NASA can accept cost sharing if it is voluntarily 

offered. See 2 C.F.R. 200.306, 2 C.F.R. 1800.306 and 2 C.F.R. 1800.922 for more information on Cost Sharing.

Cost sharing is required by 14 C.F.R. 1274 for a commercial firm seeking to receive a grant or cooperative 

agreement, unless the commercial firm can demonstrate that they will not receive substantial compensating 

benefits for performance of the work. Cost sharing is not required but can be accepted if no substantial 

compensating benefits will be received. The regulations at 2 C.F.R. 200.306, 2 C.F.R. 1800.306 and 2

C.F.R. 1800.922 describe cost sharing and allow-ability for awards. Acceptable forms of cost sharing for 

commercial firms are discussed in the Regulations at 14 C.F.R. 1274.204, ‘Costs and Payments,’ located at

https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/nraguidebook/proposer2020.pdf

4. Proposal Submission Information

4.1 Instructions for Proposals

All information needed to respond to appendices issued in accordance with this solicitation is contained in this 

solicitation, in the relevant appendices, and in the April 2017 edition of the NASA Guidebook for Proposers, located at
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

14

http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/nraguidebook/proposer2020.pdf

Additionally, applicants shall prepare proposals in accordance with 48 C.F.R. 1852.235-72, Instructions for Responding 

to NASA Broad Agency Announcements. These regulations can be found at: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/textidx?SID=406e676673b2f2ddf3520d74f5f4192d&node=pt48.6.1852&rgn=div5%23se48.6.1852_1235_672#

se48.6.1852_1235_672

The information in this BAA supersedes and provides additional direction to that found in the NASA Guidebook for 

Proposers and provides additional direction consistent with the NASA FAR Supplement Provision. Proposals that do not 

conform to the standards outlined in this solicitation will be declared noncompliant and will not be evaluated.

Applicants are responsible for understanding and complying with the procedures in the Guidebook before preparing and 

submitting proposals. Proposals that do not conform to the requirements outlined in this Omnibus and any Appendices to 

it may be declared noncompliant and rejected without review. Where this solicitation and the NASA Guidebook for 

Proposers are in conflict, this solicitation takes precedence. In addition, the provisions in any appendix will apply to that 

specific opportunity and will supersede any conflicting provisions in this solicitation or in the NASA Guidebook for 

Proposers.

Proposal submission questions will be answered and published in a Question and answer log. Individual responses will 

not be provided. NASA will not provide evaluations, opinions, or recommendations regarding any suggested approaches 

or concepts. This Q&A log will be posted on the NextSTEP website, and will be updated periodically between 

solicitation release and the proposal due date.

4.1.1 Proposal Submissions

Proposals shall be submitted electronically in Adobe pdf format to the Point of Contact e-mail address above 

and in the Appendices. Hard copies will not be accepted. Proposals or proposal modifications received after the 

latest date specified for receipt may be considered if a significant reduction in cost to the Government is 

probable or if there are significant technical advantages, as compared with proposals previously received.

Most appendices to this document will use a submission process consisting of a Notice of Intent (NOI) followed 

by a full proposal. To facilitate planning for the review process, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a 

NOI to the NextSTEP mailbox. NOIs must be electronically submitted by the date specified on the appropriate 

appendix.

Applicants shall use the hq-nextstep-baa@mail.nasa.gov mailbox for both proposal submissions and 

notifications of intent (NOIs). The e-mail submission shall identify the BAA name and Appendix in the subject 

field of the e-mail and whether it is a “proposal” or “NOI”.

4.1.2 Proposal Format and Contents

The proposal format and content requirements as outlined in this section below are the same for all proposals. 

The required sections of the proposal must be submitted as one searchable, unlocked PDF file with edit 

permission enabled. Applicants must comply with the format and page limit requirements described in this 

omnibus BAA, as well as any additional requirements specified in the appendices. The provisions in each 

appendix will apply to that specific opportunity and will supersede any conflicting provisions in this omnibus 

solicitation.

While page limitations are specifically identified in this BAA and may be tailored in each subsequent appendix, 

there is no file-size limit for proposals (This is an exception to Section 3.23 of the NASA Guidebook for 

Proposers). Only attachments that are specifically requested either in this solicitation or in appendices to this 

solicitation should be submitted.

Requirements in the appendices supersede any requirements in the NASA Guidebook for Proposers or in this
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

15

omnibus solicitation.

Proposal Section Page Limitations

Title Page 1

Executive Summary (Section I) 1

Table of Contents 1

Proof of Eligibility (Section II) 3

System Concept & Scientific/Technical Approach (Sections III-IV) 15

Capabilities (Section V) 2

Data Rights (Section VI) 1

Price Proposal (Section VII) No limit

Attachments No limit

Attachments may be specified as needed:

A page is defined as one side of a sheet, 8 1/2" x 11" with at least one-inch margins on all sides, using not 

smaller than 12-point font, with the exception of tables and figures, which may use 8-point font. Pages in excess 

of the page limits for each section will not be evaluated.

4.1.2.1 Title Page:

▪ Include any Notice of Restriction on Use and Disclosure of Proposal Information.

▪ An optional graphic image may be included.

▪ The Proposer’s name of the proposal or proposed project

▪ Date of the proposal

▪ The title, solicitation number and Appendix being responded to of this Announcement

▪ Organization name and address (including 9-digit ZIP+4 code, if applicable).

▪ Proposer Point of Contact name, title, e-mail address, and phone number.

4.1.2.2 Executive Summary: Describe the proposal’s prominent and distinguishing features. The 

Executive Summary should provide an overview of the proposed effort that is suitable for release 

through a publicly accessible archive should the proposal be selected.

4.1.2.3 Table of Contents: Offerors should include a one-page Table of Contents that provides a 

guide to the organization and contents of the proposal.

4.1.2.4 Proof of Eligibility: Provide information showing that the Respondent and all team members 

are eligible participants as stipulated in Section 3 of this Announcement. Describe compliance with 

participation requirements as needed. As applicable, explain how the required corporate contribution, 

cost-sharing or matching resources will be satisfied.

4.1.2.5 System Concept: The offeror shall describe the system concept and its functions, how it 

addresses the objectives and requirements in this Announcement, and its maturity (Technology 

Readiness Level, if appropriate).

4.1.2.6 Scientific/Technical Approach: The offeror shall describe the approach and schedule for 

designing, analyzing, and testing the proposed system concept, including the plans to mature key 

technologies.

4.1.2.7 Capabilities: The offeror shall provide evidence of existing capabilities for designing and 

developing space-qualified systems applicable to the objectives of this Announcement.

4.1.2.8 Intellectual Property: The offeror shall describe the approach for data rights and inventions,
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

16

and how they meet the objectives outlined under Section 2.7, Intellectual Property.

4.1.2.9 Data Management Plan (DMP): In keeping with the NASA Plan for Increasing Access to 

Results of Federally Funded Research, (located at

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20150020926.pdf ) proposals may need to include a 

DMP or an explanation of why one is not necessary given the nature of the work proposed. See Section

2.6 Access to Research Results/Data Management Plan and the NASA Guidebook for Proposers

4.1.2.10 Cost/Price Proposal: For programs awarding contracts, the price proposal shall include the 

overall firm fixed price for the concept study or capability/technology development project. The offeror 

shall provide total direct labor hours by skill mix, travel, and subcontracts when a contract is used as the 

award vehicle. See a sample format in Attachment A. The price section shall also include the listing of 

GFP/GFE and the estimated fair market value or of the requested government contribution. For 

proposals exceeding $2M, fully certified cost or pricing data will be required. Offerors should reference 

corporate resources described in Section 3 (Eligibility). For programs awarding grants or cooperative 

agreements, the budget shall include all the information described in the NASA Guidebook for 

Proposers. As applicable, offerors should reference cost-sharing or matching described in Section 3.4 

Cost Sharing or Matching.

4.1.2.11 Attachments:

▪ Quad chart: For programs awarding contracts, the proposal shall contain a quad chart in MS 

PowerPoint format summarizing the proposed objectives, team, major milestones, and funding 

requirements. A template of the chart will be posted with this Announcement.

▪ Resumes: Resumes may be included for key personnel. In general, resumes should be limited to no 

more than 2 pages each.

▪ Draft Statement-of-Work: For programs awarding contracts, the offeror shall provide a draft 

statement-of-work that includes a work breakdown structure and a description of the major tasks, 

milestones and deliverables.

▪ Proposed Technical and Payment Milestones: For programs awarding contracts and commercial 

firms submitting proposals for cooperative agreements, the offeror shall provide a list of proposed 

capability/technology development and demonstration milestones. Each milestone shall include a 

descriptive title, objective success criteria, and planned achievement dates (month and year). 

Milestones should represent significant technical and business progress in the program. At least one 

milestone per calendar quarter is recommended. The proposal shall also include payment milestones 

with a title, associated objective success criteria, payment amount, and planned dates forcompletion 

of the milestone.

▪ Corporate Resources documentation (as specified): This documentation evidences the corporate 

contributions or cost-sharing/matching is being proposed. Corporate Contribution Worksheets may 

be required, per instructions for individual appendices.

The NASA Guidebook for Proposers is located at http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/nraguidebook/

4.2 Proprietary Information

All proposals containing proprietary data should have the cover page and each page containing proprietary data clearly 

marked as containing proprietary data. It is the applicant’s responsibility to clearly define to the Government what is 

considered proprietary data. Additional information can be referenced in the NASA Guidebook for Proposers.

Refer to the appendices for specific due dates.
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

17

5. Proposal Review Information

NASA reserves the right to select for negotiations all, some, or none of the proposals received in response to this 

Announcement.

5.1 Compliance Review

NASA will prescreen all proposals for compliance with requirements of this solicitation and its subsequent appendices. 

This includes submission of a complete proposal with all required elements:

• Submission of a proposal that is consistent with the research areas identified in the Appendix.

• Submission of a proposal from an eligible applicant as specified in the Eligibility Information in this omnibus 

BAA and relevant appendix.

• Submission of a budget that includes all required details and that is for a funding period and amount consistent 

with this omnibus BAA and relevant Appendix.

• Submission of a proposal that is consistent with the page limitations in the relevant Appendix and formatting 

guidelines specified in this omnibus BAA.

NASA reserves the right to conduct due diligence exchanges with offerors regarding compliance with the eligibility 

criteria, including how an offeror satisfies any required corporate contribution requirement or cost-sharing/matching. 

Non-compliant proposals will be withdrawn from the review process and declined without further review. Compliant 

proposals submitted in response to this BAA will undergo an intrinsic scientific/technical merit review. In addition, the 

provisions in any appendix will apply to that specific opportunity and will supersede any conflicting provisions in this 

solicitation or in the NASA Guidebook for Proposers.

5.2 Evaluation

A NASA Evaluation Panel will evaluate proposals deemed compliant according to the evaluation criteria described in 

Section 5.5. The Evaluation Panel will summarize the strengths and weaknesses of each proposal and assign an overall 

consensus rating (Very Good, Good, Satisfactory, or Poor). NASA may ask about a specific point or points in a proposal 

and conduct fact finding or due diligence activities. These activities may result in a request for a revised proposal.

NASA has the ability to determine the appropriate method for any such communications, e.g., be in writing, virtual, or 

person. The information resulting from the reviews will be used to prepare selection recommendations. Selection for 

funding will be made by the designated NASA Selection Official.

5.3 Selection Official

The selection official shall be designated via the specific opportunity defined in the attached Appendices.

5.4 Personnel

NASA takes seriously its responsibility for ensuring that proposals are treated with the utmost confidentiality and are 

evaluated fairly and objectively without conflict of interest on the part of the reviewers. Therefore, regardless of the 

mailing address or Web-site to which a funding announcement may direct proposals to be sent, it is NASA policy that 

NASA Civil Service personnel will be in charge of and direct all aspects of the review and selection processes, including 

the identification and invitation of peer review personnel, in-person monitoring of the deliberations of any peer review 

panel, and the adjudication of conflicts of interest that may be declared by panel personnel (ref. list of potential conflicts 

of interest in Appendix E.3 of the Guidebook for Proposers). Also, all non-Government reviewers are prohibited from 

making unauthorized disclosure of proposal information and evaluation materials and/or information (ref. the sample 

Nondisclosure Agreement in Section E.2, Appendix E of the Guidebook for Proposers).

Government employees who may be involved in the peer review process are bound by Government law and regulation 

not to make unauthorized disclosure of trade secrets and confidential commercial and financial information contained in 

proposals.

NASA may use contractor support personnel to provide technical, business, and investment expertise when evaluating 

proposals. Any support contractor involved in the evaluation process will be bound by appropriate nondisclosure
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

18

agreements to protect proprietary and competition sensitive information and must have accepted limitations on future 

contracting.

5.5 Evaluation Criteria

NASA will use the following evaluation factors, with each factor having equal weight:

5.5.1 Factor 1 - Relevance:

The Government will evaluate the ability of the proposal to contribute to NASA's mission and meet the 

objectives stated in the appendix of this BAA for which the proposal was submitted.

5.5.2 Factor 2 – Scientific/Technical Merit:

The Government will evaluate the quality, depth, and thoroughness of the proposed scientific/technical approach 

and the organization’s capabilities and the qualifications of key personnel.

5.5.3 Factor 3 – Cost/Price:

For programs awarding contracts, the Government will evaluate the overall price reasonableness of the firm 

fixed price to the Government. For programs awarding grants and cooperative agreements, the Government will 

evaluate the realism and reasonableness of the proposed cost. Also an analysis will be done on the corporate 

contribution or cost-sharing (as applicable) to ensure that it properly aligned with the proposed effort. The cost 

of the proposed work and the programmatic relevance of the proposed work to NASA will not affect the score 

assigned by a panel conducting a merit peer review. As part of the panel’s review, however, the evaluation may 

include comments regarding appropriateness of proposal budgets in relationship to the work proposed. Such 

comments will not be part of the scientific/technical merit score.

5.6 Cost/Price Review and Programmatic Relevance/Balance

Only those proposals most highly rated under technical merit and of acceptable implementation risk to the government 

will be reviewed for Cost/Price and Programmatic Relevance/Balance. Some proposals judged to be of high risk to 

implement which show potential for important scientific/technology gain can also advance. This review will evaluate the 

programmatic relevance/balance, hardware availability and cost/price of all proposals that are technically meritorious 

and feasible to implement. This review will be conducted by NASA Program Scientists and Managers. Evaluation of the 

cost/price of a proposed effort includes consideration of the realism and reasonableness of the proposed cost/price and 

the relationship of the proposed cost/price to available funds. Programmatic relevance is determined by the contribution 

of the proposed work to the balance of scientific and technical issues identified by agencies in their Broad Agency 

Announcements.

5.7 Process for Appeals

5.7.1 Ombudsman Program

The NASA Procurement Ombudsman Program is available under NRAs as a procedure for addressing concerns 

and disagreements. The clause at NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is incorporated 

into NRAs by reference. The cognizant Ombudsman is as follows:

Jason Detko

Deputy Assistant Administrator for Procurement 

Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL 35812 

Telephone: 256.544.9622

Email: jason.t.detko@nasa.gov

5.7.2 Protests

Only prospective proposers seeking contract awards (not grant and/or cooperative agreement awards) under 

BAAs have the right to file a protest either with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or with the 

Agency, as defined in FAR 33.101. The provisions at FAR 52.233-2, Service of Protest, FAR 52.233-3, Protest
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

19

after Award, and NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) 1852.233-70, Protests to NASA, are incorporated into BAAs 

by reference. The designated official for receipt of protests to the Agency and copies of protests filed with the 

GAO is as follows:

Karla Smith Jackson, Assistant Administrator for Procurement Office of Procurement 

NASA Headquarters Washington, DC 20546.

Telephone: 202-358-1299

Facsimile: 202-358-3082

Email: karla.s.jackson@nasa.gov

5.8 Review of Applicants in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System 

(FAPIIS)

NASA, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition 

threshold (currently $250,000), is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the 

designated integrity and performance system (currently the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information 

System—FAPIIS) accessible through the System for Award Management (SAM, https://www.sam.gov) (see 41 U.S.C. 

2313).

An applicant, at its option, may review information in FAPIIS and comment on any information about itself that NASA 

previously entered and is currently in FAPIIS.

NASA will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in FAPIIS, in making a 

judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when 

completing the review of risk posed by applicants. For grant and cooperative agreement awards, this process is described 

in 2 CFR 200.205 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.

6. Award Administration Information

6.1 Award Notices

At the end of the selection process, each proposing organization will be notified of its selection or non- selection status. 

Selection notification will be made electronically by a letter signed by the selecting official. The selection letters are not 

an authorization to begin performance. The selected organization’s business office will be contacted by a NASA grant or 

contract officer to negotiate an award. This solicitation is a BAA. BAAs are not negotiated procurements conducted on 

the basis of competitive proposals. Accordingly, NASA is not required to hold debriefings with offerors who submit 

proposals in response to this solicitation. Following the award of one or more contracts, NASA will provide informal 

feedback to any offeror upon request. However, no formal “debriefing” (see FAR 15.506) will be provided. Any costs 

incurred by the applicant in anticipation of an award are at their own risk until RECEIVING AN AWARD by a NASA 

grant officer or NASA contracting officer. The NASA Procurement Office will request further business data, and 

negotiate the resultant action. For contract awards, performance shall not begin until the contract is signed by both 

parties. NASA grant officers/contracting officers are the only personnel with the authority to award NASA grants and 

obligate government funds. NASA reserves the right to offer selection of only a portion of a proposal. In these instances, 

the applicant will be given the opportunity to accept or decline the offer.

Additional information can be referenced in the NASA Guidebook for Proposers.

6.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

For grant and cooperative agreement awards, general terms and conditions for awards can be found at 2

C.F.R. 1800 Appendix B. As applicable, all award requirements can be found at 2 C.F.R. 1800, 14 C.F.R. 1274, and the 

GCAM (located at https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/nasa_gcam_-_revised_nov_12_2020.pdf

). Additional information on award and intellectual property may also be found at that site. Please note that it is expected 

that applicants will comply with Homeland Security Presidential Directive/ HSPD-12. HSPD-12 applicability will be 

determined during negotiation for award for selected proposals.
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

20

Additionally, award recipients that have individuals working under the award who need access to NASA facilities and/or 

systems must work with NASA program staff to ensure proper credentialing. Such individuals include U.S. citizens, 

lawful permanent residents (“green card” holders), and foreign nationals (those who are neither U.S. citizens nor 

permanent residents).

6.3 Post-Award Program Reporting

6.3.1 Annual Reporting

For activities extending beyond a year an annual report may be required. The Appendices will define whether 

annual reports are required.

6.3.2 Other Reporting

Award recipients may also be subject to reporting requirements under the NASA Plan for Increasing Access to 

Results of Federally Funded Research. Any such requirements will be identified in the award document.

If the Federal share of any award issued under this BAA is more than $500,000 over the period of performance, 

additional reporting requirements will apply. For grant and cooperative agreement awards, see 2 CFR 200 

Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters located at 

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/textidx?SID=4b63b1740bdb186d3bf5d346f5ddf42c&mc=true&node=ap2.1.200_1521.xii&rgn=div9.

7. Contacts

Additional programmatic information for this BAA is available from:

Deputy Director Strategic Integration & Management Division 

E-mail: hq-nextstep-baa@mail.nasa.gov

8. References

1. Guidebook for Proposers Responding to a NASA Funding Announcement, April 2021 Edition (NASA Guidebook for 

Proposers).

https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/may_2021_ed._nasa_guidebook_for_proposers.pdf

2. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is available online at the following addresses: http://www.acquisition.gov/far/

or http://farsite.hill.af.mil/

3. NASA Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement (NFS).

http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/NFS.pdf

4. 48 C.F.R. 1852.235-72, Instructions for Responding to NASA Broad Agency Announcements.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/textidx?SID=406e676673b2f2ddf3520d74f5f4192d&node=pt48.6.1852&rgn=div5#se48.6.1852_1235_6 72

5. NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual. https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/nasa_gcam_-

_revised_nov_12_2020.pdf

6. Grants.gov electronic proposal submission system http://grants.gov/
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

21

Attachments

ATTACHMENT A: Price Proposal Sample Format

FIRM FIXED PRICE

ELEMENTS 6 months

Direct Labor Price from Labor Template

Overhead (List)

1. (Name & Description of Base)

Overhead Rate 

Overhead Price

2. (Name & Description of Base)

Overhead Rate

Overhead Price

Total Overhead Price

Subcontract Price

1. (Subcontractor Name);(provide detailed description of work proposed)

2. (Subcontractor Name); (provide detailed description of work proposed)

Total Subcontract Price

'Other Direct Costs (ODCs)'

1. ODCs from ODC Breakdown Section (following page)

$ -

$ -

0.00%

$ -

$ -

0.00%

$ -

$ -

$ -

$ -

$ -

$ -

2. Travel (provide separate breakdown of proposed travel price) $ -

3. Other ODCs; (provide description)

Total Price for Other Direct Costs

G&A Price

1. (Description of G&A Base)

G&A Rate

G&A Price 

Subtotal

1. (Description of Profit Base)

Profit Rate

Profit

$ -

$ -

$ -

0.00%

$ -

$ -

$ -

0.00%

$ -

Total Price $ -
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

22

LABOR PRICE BREAKDOWN

Labor Category Name WYEs Labor Hours Labor Rate Labor Price

0.00 0.00 $0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00

OTHER DIRECT COSTS PRICE BREAKDOWN

Item Name & Description Quantity Unit Price Total Price

0.00 0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00

0.00 0.00 $0.00

$0.00
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

23

APPENDIX TITLE PAGES
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

24

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

NASA Headquarters

Advanced Exploration Systems Division 

300 E ST SW

Washington, D.C. 20546-0001

Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -2 

(NextSTEP-2)

Broad Agency Announcement NNH16ZCQ001K-Habitat

Appendix A: Habitat Systems

Originally Issued: April 19, 2016

NOIs Due: May 13, 2016, 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Proposals Due: June 16, 2016, 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Note: Appendix A contained in a separate file
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

25

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

NASA Headquarters

Advanced Exploration Systems Division 

300 E ST SW

Washington, D.C. 20546-0001

Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -2 

(NextSTEP-2)

Broad Agency Announcement NNH16ZCQ001K-ISM FabLab

Appendix B: In-Space Manufacturing (ISM) Multi-materialFabrication 

Laboratory (FabLab)

Originally Issued: May 3, 2017

NOIs Due: June 16, 2017, 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Proposals Due: August 2, 2017, 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Note: Appendix B contained in a separate file
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

26

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

NASA Headquarters

Advanced Exploration Systems Division 

300 E ST SW

Washington, D.C. 20546-0001

Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -2 

(NextSTEP-2)

Broad Agency Announcement NNH16ZCQ001K-PPE

Appendix C: Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) Studies

Originally Issued: August 30, 2017

Proposals Due: September 26, 2017, 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Note: Appendix C contained in a separate file
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

27

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Advanced Exploration Systems Division

Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate 

NASA Headquarters

300 E ST SW

Washington, D.C. 20546-0001

Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -2 

(NextSTEP-2)

Appendix D: In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Technology

Broad Agency Announcement NNH16ZCQ001K-ISRU

Originally Issued: December 4, 2017 

Proposals Due: March 5, 2018 by 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Note: Appendix D contained in a separate file
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

28

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Advanced Exploration Systems Division

Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate 

NASA Headquarters

300 E ST SW

Washington, D.C. 20546-0001

Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -2 

(NextSTEP-2)

Appendix E: Human Landing System Studies, Risk Reduction, 

Development, and Demonstration

Broad Agency Announcement NNH19ZCQ001K_APP-E

Originally Issued: February 7, 2019 

Proposals Due: March 25, 2019 by 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Note: Appendix E contained in a separate file
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

29

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

NASA Headquarters

Advanced Exploration Systems Division 

300 E ST SW

Washington, D.C. 20546-0001

Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -2 

(NextSTEP-2)

Broad Agency Announcement NNH16ZCQ001K-TCPS

Appendix F: Logistics Reduction (LR) in Space by Trash 

Compaction and Processing System (TCPS)

Originally Issued: July 3, 2018

NOIs Due: July 30, 2018, 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Proposals Due: August 22, 2018, 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Note: Appendix F contained in a separate file
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

30

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

NASA Headquarters

Advanced Exploration Systems Division 

300 E ST SW

Washington, D.C. 20546-0001

Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -2 

(NextSTEP-2)

Broad Agency Announcement NNH16ZCQ001K-SRP

Appendix G: Space Relay Partnership and Services 

Study NNH16ZCQ001K-SRP

Originally Issued: September 18, 2018

Proposals Due: November 2, 2018, 12:00 PM Eastern Time

Note: Appendix G contained in a separate file
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

31

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

NASA Headquarters

Advanced Exploration Systems Division 

300 E ST SW

Washington, D.C. 20546-0001

Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -2 

(NextSTEP-2)

Broad Agency Announcement NNH19ZCQ001K_APPENDIX-H-HLS

Appendix H: Human Landing System

Originally Issued: September 30, 2019

Note: Appendix H and attachments contained in a separate file
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

32

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

NASA Johnson Space Center

Houston, TX 77058

Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -2 

(NextSTEP-2)

Broad Agency Announcement NNH16ZCQ001K-CDISS

Appendix I: Commercial Destination Development in Low Earth Orbit 

using the International Space Station

Originally Issued: June 21, 2019

NOIs Due: June 28, 2019, 5:00 PM Central Time

Proposals Due: August 5, 2019, 5:00 PM Central Time 

Note: Appendix I contained in a separate file
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

33

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

NASA Johnson Space Center

Houston, TX 77058

Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -2 

(NextSTEP-2)

Broad Agency Announcement NNH16ZCQ001K-_APP-J

Appendix J: Opportunities to Stimulate Demand in Low Earth Orbit 

through Applied Research

Originally Issued: July 3, 2019

NOIs Due: August 2, 2019, 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time 

Proposals Due: September 13, 2019, 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Note: Appendix J contained in a separate file
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

34

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

NASA Johnson Space Center

Houston, TX 77058

Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -2 

(NextSTEP-2)

Broad Agency Announcement NNH16ZCQ001K-_CDFF

Appendix K: Commercial Destination Development 

in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Free Flyer

Draft: October 3, 2019

NOIs Due: TBD, 2019, 4:00 PM Central Time 

Proposals Due: TBD, 2020, 4:00 PM Central Time

Note: Appendix K contained in a separate file
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

35

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Goddard Space Flight Center

Greenbelt, MD

Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -2 

(NextSTEP-2)

Appendix L: CIS Capability Studies II: Wideband/Phased Array/Crosslink

Broad Agency Announcement NNH16ZCQ001K-CIS-Appendix_L

Originally Issued: 6 July 2023

Proposals Due: 7 August 2023, by 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Note: Appendix L contained in a separate file
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

36

 National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Advanced Exploration Systems Division

Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate 

NASA Headquarters

300 E ST SW

Washington, D.C. 20546-0001

Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -2 

(NextSTEP-2)

Appendix N: Sustainable Human Landing System Studies and Risk Reduction

Broad Agency Announcement NNH19ZCQ001K_APP-N

Originally Issued: 1 July 2021

Amendment 1: 20 July 2021

Amendment 2: 22 July 2021

Proposals Due: 2 August 2021, by 5:00 PM Central Time

Note: Appendix N contained in a separate file
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

37

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Goddard Space Flight Center

Greenbelt, MD

Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -2 

(NextSTEP-2) 

Broad Agency Announcement NNH16ZCQ001K-CIS

Appendix O: Capability Studies for NASA 

Communications and Navigation Network Direct-toEarth (DTE) and Lunar Space Relay (LSR) 

Commercialization Services

Originally Issued: March 29, 2022

Proposals Due: April 28, 2022, 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Note: Appendix O contained in a separate file
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA NNH16ZCQ001K

38

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate 

NASA Headquarters

300 E ST SW

Washington, D.C. 20546-0001

Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships – 2 

(NextSTEP-2)

Appendix P: Human Landing System (HLS) Sustaining 

Lunar Development (SLD)

Broad Agency Announcement NNH19ZCQ001K_APPENDIX-P-SLD

Amendment 4

Issued: November 3, 2022

Proposals Due: December 6, 2022, by 3:00 PM Central Time

Note: Appendix P contained in a separate file