NASA requires a structured, repeatable engagement framework that strengthens community participation, surfaces emerging capabilities, identifies operational needs and use cases, and supports two planned Intelligent Systems Technology consortium or hub comm

NASA’s Shared Services Center (NSSC) has issued a sole-source notice of intent to award a contract to Blue Clarity LLC, under the authority of FAR 12.102(a). The procurement is for a structured, repeatable engagement framework designed to strengthen community participation, identify operational needs, and support two planned Intelligent Systems Technology (IST) consortium or hub communities. Additionally, the contractor will support outreach for future IST solicitations, deliver Best Practices and Q&A webinars, and facilitate two one-day Mind Meld (Innovation) Days. The primary location of performance will be the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) under NAICS code 541611. While NASA intends to proceed with a sole-source commercial acquisition, interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications in writing to the point of contact, Shanna L. Patterson, by 7:00 a.m. CST on July 15, 2026, to be evaluated for a potential competitive procurement.

This document is a sole-source justification from the NASA Shared Services Center recommending a non-competitive contract award to Blue Clarity. The requested services encompass outreach, collaboration, and innovation support, which are scheduled to begin one week after the contract is awarded. The justification is based on Blue Clarity's unique qualifications, having been competitively selected to administer two previous prizes and challenges for the NASA Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO). Through these initiatives—the "Beyond the Algorithm Challenge" and the "Space to Soil Challenge"—Blue Clarity established a specialized network of potential investigators and collaborators. The objective of the new contract is to leverage this existing community to develop rapid innovation solutions. According to the document, utilizing a different vendor would negatively impact the government. No other company possesses recent experience working with the ESTO Intelligent Systems Team, nor do they have a network tailored to the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape. Contracting with a new vendor would result in significant transition delays and postpone the selection of the planned Emerging Technology consortium.

This Statement of Work (SOW) outlines the requirements for a contractor to support NASA’s Intelligent Systems Technology (IST) group in outreach, stakeholder engagement, and innovation ecosystem development. The objective is to establish a repeatable framework that connects academia, commercial industry, startups, nonprofits, and government partners with NASA's technology planning and future solicitations. The contractor will execute tasks across three primary goals: 1. **Build the IST Innovation Pipeline:** Develop a stakeholder matrix, coordination plan, and engagement framework to support two emerging technology consortia or hubs. 2. **Execute Solicitation Outreach:** Design and implement a strategic communications plan, produce targeted messaging, and facilitate one best practices webinar alongside multiple Q&A sessions. 3. **Lead Two Innovation (Mind Meld) Days:** Plan and facilitate two collaborative, one-day events focused on "Actionable Intelligence for the Coastal Zone" and "Adaptive Sensing for Decision Makers." Responsibilities include scenario development, participant onboarding, and delivering after-action findings. The project is structured into six phases, spanning startup, stakeholder mapping, outreach execution, event facilitation, and final closeout. NASA will provide technical inputs, SME access, and necessary approvals. The performance period is virtual or hybrid and will not exceed 18 months.