Spaceflight Readiness Training (SFRT) Aircraft Modernization

What the buyer wrote

Modification 3 – September 28, 2026

This is Modification 3 to the Request for Information (RFI) entitled SFRT Aircraft Modernization, Notice ID 80JSC026SFRTAM, originally posted on August 27, 2026. The following change is hereby made:

NASA is updating the final response date for this RFI. All responses must now be submitted no later than October 12, 2026, at 5:00 PM Central Standard Time (CST).

Interested parties are responsible for monitoring this SAM.gov posting for all updates and additional information.

No other changes are made under this modification.

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Modification 2 – September 24, 2026

This is Modification 2 to the Request for Information (RFI) entitled SFRT Aircraft Modernization, Notice ID 80JSC026SFRTAM, which was posted on August 27, 2026. The following changes are hereby made:

NASA is posting the Questions and Answers (Q&A) received from industry in response to this RFI. The Q&A document is provided as an attachment to this modification.

 

NASA is updating the final response date for this RFI. All responses must now be submitted no later than October 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM Central Standard Time (CST).

Interested parties are responsible for reviewing the attachment and monitoring this SAM.gov posting for all updates and additional information.

No other changes are made under this modification.

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Modification 1 – September 10, 2026

This is Modification 1 to the Request for Information (RFI) entitled SFRT Aircraft Modernization Request for Information (RFI), Notice ID 80JSC026SFRTAM, which was posted on August 27, 2026. The following changes are hereby made:

NASA is establishing a final deadline for the submission of questions. All questions must be submitted no later than September 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM Central Standard Time (CST). After this deadline, NASA does not anticipate accepting additional questions. All questions received by the deadline will be answered publicly through this SAM.gov posting. Interested parties are responsible for monitoring this website for all updates and additional information.

No other changes are made under this modification.

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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 Mai

This is the opening of the notice text. The complete version, with every amendment, is on the original.