Draft RFP - Near Earth Orbit Network Program's Sounder for Microwave-Based Applications
Contract Opportunity Analysis
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center is seeking industry feedback on the Near Earth Orbit Network Sounder for Microwave-Based Applications, a procurement for the design, development, fabrication, integration, testing, delivery, and support of a next-generation microwave sounder for the NEON program. The work includes long-lead items, flight model production, post-launch support, and the associated technical, mission assurance, data, and reporting deliverables needed to carry the instrument from development through operations. The requirement is for a Class C hyperspectral cross-track microwave sounder with radio frequency interference detection, heritage channel continuity, and on-orbit reprogrammability, and the acquisition strategy has evolved into a phased, multi-CLIN structure with CPFF for Flight Model 1, FFP for Flight Models 2 and 3, and time-and-material support for special studies and post-support. NASA has also identified the final evaluation framework through updated Mission Suitability sections and a revised Performance Requirements Document, with no further full draft-RFP updates planned after the March 18, 2026 industry update.