Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Sensors

NASA ARC has a requirement for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors to support airborne science missions by providing technical and operational support for the integration, modification, testing, and flight operations of airborne science payloads on High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) platforms, enabling NASA-funded projects to utilize SAR data, advance concepts of operations, and explore enhancements to existing Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) modalities. This requirement encompasses performing engineering analyses, payload integration, ground and flight testing, and science flight operations support—including structural adaptations, power system enhancements, avionics integration, and real-time sensor data transmission—in compliance with applicable airworthiness and safety standards, while coordinating with NASA and stakeholders to ensure mission success.

NASA ARC intends to issue a sole source contract to Aloft Sensing, Inc. to acquire SAR sensors to integrate onto several platforms, under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, as only this source possesses the unique technical expertise, proprietary knowledge, and operational capability required to integrate SAR sensors onto the Phasa-35 High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) platform, modify the aircraft for payload support, and provide testing and flight operations services, ensuring NASA’s airborne science missions succeed without viable competition.

The Government intends to acquire a commercial product or service using FAR Part 12.

Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Joshua.D.Taggart@nasa.gov not later than 5:00 p.m. CT on March 26, 2025. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.

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