Appendix B Objective
To accelerate phased implementation of Moon Base, NASA seeks to bridge the gap between technology development and mission operations. Industry partners play a critical role in addressing architectural gaps and risk reduction buy-down that create the knowledge foundation NASA needs to make informed programmatic decisions and strengthen its ability to achieve strategic exploration goals efficiently and effectively. To that end, NASA’s Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate (HSMD) is actively embracing innovative ideas from industry partners through this Appendix B: Moon Base Demonstrations under the NextSTEP-3 Omnibus Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) that calls for industry-led demonstrations and special topic activities.
This solicitation seeks industry proposals for concept demonstrations, risk reduction opportunities, and studies that address Moon Base architecture gaps. Awards will focus on the integration, demonstration, and maturation of concepts beyond component technology development.
Appendix B Solicitation
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NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and Carlos García-Galán, Moon Base program manager, announced this new opportunity during a discussion with media on June 30, 2026. The Appendix B solicitation was posted to SAM.gov on July 16, 2026.
Solicitation Topics
- Infrastructure
- Power Systems
- Communications & Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (C&PNT)
- Transportation
- Mobility
- Habitation
- Autonomy & Robotics
- Lunar Science
- Concepts of Operations
Points of Contact
| Name | Bradley Vest |
| Title | Contracting Officer |
| hq-nextstep3appb@mail.nasa.gov |
Directed Calls
As outlined in Solicitation Section 2.2, NASA will periodically release specific Directed-Topic Calls to guide industry partners and promote focused innovation in support of Moon Base objectives. Below is each of the issued directed calls to-date with their corresponding procurement schedule.
Directed Call 01: Initial Surface Power
- Step 1 request for white papers – completed 07/16/26
- Step 1 Questions Answers – completed 08/14/26
- Proposal Invitations sent (emailed to selected vendors) – completed 09/21/26
- Blackout Notice issued 09/21/26
- Configuration B (miniCAST) Proposals Due 10/19/26
- miniCAST awards announcement – 11/07/26
- Configuration A (outCAST) awards announcement (estimate) – early calendar year 2027
Directed Call 02: Surface Mating System
- Step 1 request for white papers – completed 10/2/26
- Step 1 Questions due 10/6/26
- White papers due 10/16/26
- Proposal Invitations sent (emailed to selected vendors) – 10/23/26
- Proposals due 11/20/26
- Awards announcement (estimate) – 12/18/26
Forecast of Possible Directed Calls
- Data Gaps – Critical areas for investigation to enable early Moon Base operations (e.g. lunar environment, initial sites, effects of mission). Forecasted for the end of calendar year 2026.
