Cadence Software License for Visual System Simulator and Microwave Office

This Federal Request for Quotation (RFQ 80NSSC26937414Q), issued by the NASA Shared Services Center, seeks a contractor to provide brand-name Cadence software licenses. Specifically, the procurement is for one-year time-based subscriptions of one "VSS350ESC Visual System Simulator: Advanced" license and one "MWO226ESC Microwave Office: PCB Advanced" license. The software is required by NASA's Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) communications team to verify, validate, and model communications subsystem designs delivered by prime contractor Intuitive Machines Inc. This validation supports the aggressive schedule of the SR-1 Freedom mission, which is targeting a November 2028 launch. This procurement is set aside entirely for small businesses under NAICS code 541519. To be considered for an award, vendors must be registered in SAM.gov, provide proof of pricing from the manufacturer, and confirm authorization to resell Cadence items at the time of quote submission. Quotes must be submitted via email to Laura Quave by July 22, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. CT, and must remain valid for at least 30 days. Contract questions are due by July 21, 2026. The contract will be awarded on a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) basis as a firm-fixed-price contract. Shipping terms are FOB Destination with Net 30 payment terms, and credit card payments will not be used. Standard federal clauses, including export control compliance (ITAR/EAR) and small business provisions, are incorporated.

This Statement of Work outlines a procurement request by NASA for Cadence software licenses to support the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) communications team. The acquisition includes a one-year subscription for one unit of VSS350ESC Visual System Simulator (Advanced) and one unit of MWO226ESC Microwave Office (PCB Advanced). The software is essential for the NASA PPE team to verify, validate, and model the communications subsystem designs submitted by prime contractor Intuitive Machines Inc. Access to these applications is critical for assessing major design changes and characterising system performance, ensuring the project meets the aggressive timeline for the SR-1 Freedom mission targeting a November 2028 launch.

This document is a federal procurement justification from the NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC) to solicit a brand-name acquisition for Cadence software, specifically "Microwave Office" and "Visual System Simulator." The estimated period of performance for this procurement is one year, spanning from approximately July 20, 2026, to July 19, 2027. The justification explains that Intuitive Machines Inc., the prime contractor for the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE), utilizes Cadence software for its communications subsystem design and link simulations. Because these proprietary design and simulation files are contractually delivered to NASA, the NASA PPE communications team requires the exact same software to open, verify, and validate the contractor's designs. Access to this specific application is critical to supporting the aggressive timeline of the SR-1 Freedom mission, which is targeting a November 2028 launch. The software is essential for characterizing performance and handling major design changes. Because the file formats are proprietary to Cadence, no alternative application can be used, making competition impractical and requiring a brand-name-only acquisition.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Shared Services Center (NSSC) has issued a sole source synopsis indicating its intent to award a non-competitive contract to Cadence Design Systems, Inc. This procurement is for Cadence Software Licenses for Visual System Simulator and Microwave Office, which will be utilized at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC). The acquisition will be conducted as a commercial item procurement under FAR Part 12, classified under NAICS code 513210. While NASA intends to proceed with a sole source award to Cadence Design Systems, Inc., interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications in writing to determine if the procurement should be competed. The deadline for these submissions is July 9, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. Laura Quave is the primary point of contact for this effort.

This Statement of Work outlines NASA Glenn Research Center's requirement to acquire Cadence software licenses to support the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) communications subsystem. Because the prime contractor, Intuitive Machines Inc., utilizes Cadence software for communications design and link simulations, NASA requires compatible access to verify and validate these deliverable design files. This software is critical for characterizing system performance and accommodating major design changes ahead of the SR-1 Freedom mission, which is targeted for a November 2028 launch. The procurement specifies local licenses for one Visual System Simulator (Advanced) and one Microwave Office (PCB Advanced E). The contract will be performed at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, with a period of performance spanning from June 30, 2026, through June 29, 2027.