NASA has moved from consultation to formal bidding for the commercial stations it wants to use after the International Space Station retires. The agency's final Request for Proposals calls for submissions by Dec. 8, with contract awards expected in spring 2027.
The solicitation asks U.S. companies for plans to design, build, test, certify and operate commercial destinations in low Earth orbit. Bidders must also address end-to-end transportation and station services for human spaceflight, rather than proposing an orbital facility alone.
A competition with multiple stages
NASA says it intends to use firm-fixed-price, multi-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts. In plain terms, the agency plans to establish umbrella agreements with multiple companies and then issue specific task orders as the work advances.
At least two contractors are expected to move through early development. NASA would then hold another competition for the task order covering final design, testing and evaluation, certification, and operational services. That later work could go to one or more contractors, so the initial awards would not guarantee that every participant reaches the service phase.
The structure is meant to give NASA choices while companies prove both their technical plans and their business cases. Administrator Jared Isaacman said NASA wants firms prepared to invest in destinations that can serve the agency while also attracting other customers and markets. He also cautioned that the economics still have to work.
Preparing for life after the ISS
NASA describes commercial stations as a way to maintain a sustained U.S. presence in low Earth orbit after the ISS retires. The agency expects to continue needing orbital facilities for research, technology development, astronaut training, and preparation for missions to the Moon and Mars.
The final solicitation follows months of industry feedback. NASA published two requests for information in March, issued a draft RFP in July, and held an industry day and one-on-one meetings before settling on the acquisition approach.
No station operator has been selected through this final competition yet. The Dec. 8 deadline is the next major step, followed by the awards NASA currently expects in spring 2027.
