RFI - Mission Integration Prime for Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) Series Satellites

The GeoXO program is adopting a Mission Integration Prime (MIP) contract, set for award in early 2028, to manage launch services, mission operations, and ground systems for its GeoXO-1 and GeoXO-2 satellites, with options for GeoXO-3 and GeoXO-4. This MIP contract will consolidate functions previously handled by various government entities, including NASA Launch Services Program and NOAA OSPO. The contract will be Firm Fixed-Price with performance incentives. Preliminary alternatives for the MIP concept are being explored, particularly concerning ground systems and operations, which range from the MIP contractor providing all resources to utilizing NOAA's existing ground systems. Additionally, alternatives for launch services include MIP procuring services commercially or NASA/NOAA utilizing LSP contracts or direct commercial procurement. An RFI will be released in March 2026 to solicit industry feedback, informing an Analysis of Alternatives. The final RFP is expected in Summer 2027.

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, on behalf of NOAA's Geostationary Earth Orbit Observations Program, has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gather market intelligence for a potential future procurement. This RFI seeks qualified vendors for mission integration and operations support for the GeoXO mission-critical weather satellites. The GeoXO program, a follow-on to the GOES-R series, plans its initial launch in 2032 and requires capabilities for launch services, payload processing, mission operations, ground systems, and antenna services. The government is exploring a "Mission Integration Prime" (MIP) concept where a contractor would manage these functions, which were previously handled by the government. The RFI requests vendor approaches, capabilities, prior experience, and rough-order-of-magnitude costs for launch vehicle services, payload processing services, and mission operations services for GeoXO-1 and GeoXO-2. Vendors are also asked to assess complexities, challenges, and risks of performing these services under a firm-fixed-price contract and to propose alternative MIP concepts, including potential use of Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) resources such as the Wallops Command and Data Acquisition Station (WCDAS) and the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility (NSOF). The estimated acquisition timeline includes a draft RFP release in early 2027, a final RFP in summer 2027, and contract award in January 2028.

NASA, on behalf of NOAA, issued a Request for Information (RFI) for vendors to provide mission integration, launch, and operations support for the GeoXO satellite program. This RFI seeks market intelligence, technical approaches, and rough-order-of-magnitude costs for a potential future procurement. The GeoXO program, a follow-on to the GOES-R series, will launch its first satellite in 2032 to provide critical weather data. The Mission Integration Prime (MIP) contractor will manage and perform launch vehicle services for GeoXO-1 and GeoXO-2, payload processing, and 10 years of on-orbit mission operations, including ground systems and antenna services. The RFI also requests information on anomaly investigation, special engineering analysis tasks, and vendor-recommended alternatives to the Government's MIP concept. Key requirements include specific launch dates, satellite mass and volume, payload processing facility specifications, and spacecraft communication links. The government offers potential use of existing resources like the Wallops Command and Data Acquisition Station and the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility. The estimated acquisition timeline includes a draft RFP release in early 2027, a final RFP in summer 2027, and contract award in January 2028.

NASA, on behalf of NOAA, issued a Request for Information (RFI) for vendors to provide mission integration, launch, and operations support for the GeoXO weather satellites. This RFI seeks market intelligence, technical approaches, and rough-order-of-magnitude costs for a potential future procurement, with the initial GeoXO launch planned for 2032. The GeoXO program, a collaboration between NOAA and NASA, will replace the GOES-R series, providing critical environmental observations. The RFI outlines a Mission Integration Prime (MIP) concept, where a contractor would manage and perform functions previously handled by the government. The MIP contractor would be responsible for launch vehicle services, payload processing, mission operations (including ground systems and antenna services), anomaly investigation and recovery, and special engineering analysis tasks. The government is also open to alternative MIP concepts and seeks feedback on the acquisition process.