REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR EARTH AND PLANETARY RESOURCE SCIENCE, EXPLORATION, ASSESSMENT AND EXTRACTION (EPRSEAE)
NASA · NASA AMES RESEARCH CENTER
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Where this opportunity stands
Every notice posted under solicitation 80ARC025JAI-ECW in this department, oldest first.
- Nov 4, 2024 · this noticeSources Sought
Next steps for this stage
Standard steps for the notice type; not advice about this buyer.
- Answer the notice: this is when the requirement can still be shaped.
- Contact the contracting officer named on the notice.
- Check who won similar work; they are the likely bidders.
What the notice says
THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. NO PROPOSALS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE. NASA ARC is focused on conducting research to develop concepts of operation to detect and assess resources using new capabilities in the subsurface for off-world resource exploration. Information is requested in the below three specific areas. 1. Quantum Gravity Gradiometer NASA seeks information on the demonstrated technical capabilities and size, weight and power metrics for quantum gravity gradiometers intended for mobile offworld applications, including surface, airborne or low orbit (10-20 km … (show all)
or less) platforms. In many of these settings we anticipate that there will be no need for vacuum generation, given low ambient vapor pressure in space or lunar settings. NASA is interested in applications of gravity gradiometers for subsurface exploration, including the detection and assessment of subsurface cavities, and rock body differentiation as expressed by contrasts in density. Our geophysical science objectives include: Detect and assess lunar lava tubes for possible human habitation, from autonomous surface platforms or very low orbital (< 10-20 km) heights). Gravity anomalies are large (10�s of Eotvos) at this level. Stationary missions that measure gravitational tidal behavior over long periods of time, including seismic signals correlating with impacts and internal earthquakes Gravity gradiometer on Mars to assess subsurface evidence for activity of Martian volcanos like Olympus Mons. Gravity gradiometer at the Martian poles to assess ice movement or volatile flow System volume: 0.25 m3 aiming for 0.07 m3 with removal of vacuum system for offworld applications System weight: 60kg, aiming for 20 kg with removal of vacuum system for offworld applications Power: 80 W aiming for 60 W Precision of absolute G, expressed as g/sqrt Hz: 1 X 10-8 g/sqrt Hz Precision of Eotvos: 1E/sqrt Hz Atom #/run: 10^6 or better Interrogation time: 5-300 ms Baseline: 0.3-0.5 m Measurement repetition rate: 1-2.5 Hz Capability to use proprietary software ruggedization techniques or other means to maintain measurement sensitivity under motion Scalar with intent to move to tensor Magnetometer integrated with gravity gradiometer system Magnetometer with 50 femtotesla/sqrt Hz or better We ask that respondents provide an image of the system, and graphs showing data collection of G, Eotvos and magnetic data, with resulting estimates of sensitivity, and accuracy. 2. Satellite telemetered passive seismometer with onboard computation NASA seeks information on the demonstrated technical capabilities and size, weight and power metrics for satellite telemetered passive seismometers intended for use in remote or offworld settings. NASA is interested in applications of passive seismometers for subsurface exploration, including the detection and assessment of subsurface cavities, and rock body differentiation as expressed by contrasts in seismic velocity. For passive seismometers, we seek information on the following metrics: Size of sensor system, in cm (L x H x W) Weight of system, including batteries, in kg Power, in Watts for peak use and average Where are components made, where is instrument assembled? Duration of continuous operations, in days/hours? How many components does the sensor have to produce vertical and horizontal response? What is the internal natural frequency of the sensors? What is the proven recording range in Hz? What is the distortion of the senso at given angles? What is the sensitivity of the sensor? What is the ADC (analog to digital converter) resolution in bits? Does an operator have a choice of sampling rates, and if so, what is the range? What is the pre-amplifier gain in dB? What is the total harmonic distortion? Is there any onboard or edge data processing? If so, what processor or microcontroller? Data storage capacity Is there data compression? If so, what is the ratio, and what is the compression algorithm? Is there demonstrated telemetry? What is the data throughput? What is telemetry carrier? What is coverage of carrier? Is the battery internal? What is the battery recharge time? How long does battery last under normal duty cycle? What is the battery charging and operating temperature range? Is there external wiring? Does the node have an internal GPS system for timing and location Is there an internal clock and if so, what is the timing accuracy in microseconds when GPS is not available? What is the internal clock drift, at what nominal temperature? What is the operating temperature range of the whole system in o C? What is the IP standard for the enclosure for dust (e.g., IP67), and to what particle size in microns? Are there any siting requirements? How is the sensor coupled to the ground? Is there proof of performance in rugged field conditions? Does performance remain under field portage? After minor bumps or drops? During launch (what is TRL and has it been tested to the General Environmental Verification Standard (GEVS) for payloads on small launch vehicles? Does the system or its components have a design for offworld applications, or any Space heritage? Does the system have real-time capability? Is the system suitable for different concepts of operation? Describe if so. Are there any additional compact sensor type sin designs? If so, what are they? Is that design manifested on any offworld missions? We ask that respondents provide an image of the system, and graphs showing data collection of waveforms, with resulting estimates of precision, and accuracy. 3. Concepts of Operation for Resource Detection, Assessment and Extraction NASA seeks information on Concepts of Operation for subsurface resource detection, assessment and extraction. We are interested in the workflow that describes the discovery of subsurface resources, the assessment of those resources in 3-dimensions, and the extraction, processing and transport of those resources. Our intent is to understand the sensors, technology and infrastructure required to supply resources in sufficient detail that we can anticipate shortfalls for offworld systems as a function of resource type and host environment. We seek specific information on the following metrics for 3-5 different ore deposit environments: Sensors and platforms used to detect resource (how was resource found) Sensors and technology used to assess resource in 3-dimensions (how was Mineral Resource Model developed) Pre-excavation treatments, if any Excavation technology (type of drilling, blasting or excavation) Loading technology Raw ore transport chain Processing workflow to ore Transport technology to furnace For each of these elements, we are seeking descriptions and representative pictures of innovations that have reduced energy use, or increased safety, including: Description of new sensor technologies deployed at scale for assessment of resources Description of new sensor technologies deployed at scale for infrastructure operations and maintenance Description of autonomy systems deployed at scale For ore deposit environments, we are seeking at least 3 different types from: Resources hosted in granular media (e.g., Rare Earth Elements from heavy sand deposits) Resources hosted as seams, veins or other small-scale structures within hard-rock environments (e.g., copper porphyry deposits) Resources concentrated in massive bodies (e.g., Banded Iron Formations, evaporites or Bauxite deposits) Resources hosted in structure-bound settings (e.g., Iron sulfide deposits in komatiites, Layered Mafic Intrusions) Resources disseminated in massive bodies (e.g., Lithium or pure quartz in pegmatites) Requested Content for RFI Responses Interested parties are requested to respond to this notice with an Information package, due no later than November 15, 2024, that shall be submitted via arc-paav-2024-rfi@mail.nasa.gov. Any email responses should include �EPRSEAE -2024-RFI� in the subject title. Any proprietary information must be clearly m
Recent Agency Awards (Loose Match)
171 award notices on SAM.gov in the last 24 months. Matched by: Same agency (NASA), any industry: a loose match.
Loose match: same agency, any industry. Read the titles before treating these as competitors.
Single-winner award sizes (120): middle half $726K to $25.2M, median $3.8M; range $26K to $1.8B.
| Winner | Awards | Value | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amentum Technology, Inc. · $AMTM · $14.1B | 2 | $1.2B | May 20, 2026 |
| ARES TECHNICAL SERVICES CORPORATION | 2 | $739.8M | Aug 7, 2026 |
| SIERRA LOBO INC | 2 | $548.2M | Apr 24, 2026 |
| SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE San Antonio TX 78238 USA | 2 | $86.4M | Feb 14, 2025 |
| The Regents of the University of Colorado Boulder CO 80309 USA | 2 | $40.3M | Oct 6, 2026 |
| SIERRA SPACE CORP | 2 | $26.3M | Jan 8, 2026 |
| AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC. | 2 | $12.0M + 1 shared | Aug 20, 2025 |
| ASCA, INC | 2 | $10.6M | Oct 2, 2026 |
| Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, Inc. | 2 | $3.6M | Jul 7, 2025 |
| ASCEND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY, LLC | 1 | $1.8B | Sep 10, 2025 |
Value counts new single-winner awards. "Shared" awards are multiple-award contracts that list every winner with the same total ceiling (same contract, or the same office, day and amount); that ceiling is not one company's win, so it is not added in. Contract modifications are not new awards and are not added in either (1 here). Notices whose amount is a placeholder such as $999,999,999 are not added in. Revenue next to a ticker is the company's revenue over the latest 12 months in its SEC filings.
- $AMTM reported $14.1B revenue (12 months to Jul 3, 2026). The median single-winner award in these 120 past awards, $3.8M, is under 0.1% of that. SEC filing
One award's total value against one year of revenue; many awards are paid over several years.
- Oct 13, 2026FEI COMPANY$1.7MThermoFisher Helios 5 CX PurchaseNo listed company matched (Materiality N/A)
- Oct 8, 2026OMITRON, INC.$23.5MOrbital Safety Analysis Support Services (OSASS) AwardNo listed company matched (Materiality N/A)
- Oct 6, 2026LINDE INC.$33.1MRequest For Proposal (RFP) NASA Agency-wide Acquisition of Nitrogen and Oxygen 4 (NANO 4)Materiality: 0.09% of $LIN revenue (Low) SEC
- Oct 6, 2026The Regents of the University of Colorado Boulder CO 80309 USA$25.3MTotal and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor-2 (TSIS-2) Mission Operations and Data ProcessingNo listed company matched (Materiality N/A)
- Oct 2, 2026MODULATE SPACE CORPORATION$38.0MAWARD - 5G System for Lunar Surface Communications Evaluation and Radio Propagation MeasurementsNo listed company matched (Materiality N/A)
- Oct 2, 2026ASCA, INC$10.0MASCA Blanket Purchase AgreementNo listed company matched (Materiality N/A)
- Sep 30, 2026SKYMARK REFUELERS LLC$397K3K Dual Compartment/Dual Pumping GSE Refueling TruckNo listed company matched (Materiality N/A)
- Sep 24, 2026GLOBAL ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS, INC.$5.6MTropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) Extended Operations Host ContractNo listed company matched (Materiality N/A)
- Sep 18, 2026INTERNATIONAL AEROSPACE COATINGS INC$317KAward Notice for Aircraft PaintingNo listed company matched (Materiality N/A)
- Sep 18, 2026SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP.$5.9B (modification)Modification to the SpaceX Commercial Crew Transportation Capabilities (CCtCap) ContractContract modification, not a new award (Materiality N/A)
Materiality: one award's value as a share of the winner's revenue over the latest 12 months in its SEC filings (or its last fiscal year, as noted when you point at it). Low under 1%, Medium 1 to 5%, High 5% or more. Many awards are paid over several years, so this overstates a single year's share.
Competitive landscape
For the 8 most frequent past winners above. Lobbying is matched by the company's exact name or exact ticker; agencies are as named on the filings.
- 2 of these past winners lobbied Natl Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) since 2024 (12 filings)
- 0 of their lobbyists list a past Natl Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) job
- $46K from their corporate PACs since 2024 to members of House Committee on Appropriations, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
- 0 foreign-agent (FARA) registrations
Policy around it
Bills the past winners named while lobbying this agency's issues, rules from the department, and executive orders that name the agency, last 12 months.
- 8 bills named on the past winners' lobbying filings
- 16 rules from the department in the last 12 months
- 0 executive orders naming the agency in the last 12 months
Market
For past winners matched exactly to a listed company. Insider trades are open-market buys and sells (Form 4) in the last 90 days, shown as facts; our own study found insiders do not reliably buy ahead of awards. A sale marked 10b5-1 was made under a trading plan set up in advance.
- 1 of the past winners are listed companies
- 0 insider buys and 0 insider sells at them in the last 90 days
Sources: SAM.gov notices and award notices; Senate LDA lobbying filings; FEC filings; FARA; Federal Register; congress.gov; SEC Form 4. Every row above links to its record.
Companies are matched to tickers by exact name, including the subsidiaries a company lists in its SEC filings. A company we could not match shows no market rows; that is a miss, not a finding.