NASA STMD Standing Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity Appendix A: Coming Soon

Synopsis:

Standing ACO Release Date: July 30, 2025
Appendix A Call for Proposals Release Date:  July 30, 2025
Appendix A Proposal Due: September 24, 2025

The National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) anticipates a release of Space Technology Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO) Announcement on or about July 30, 2025.  Standing ACO #NNH25ZTR002O will be available for five years and will serve as the umbrella opportunity for topic-specific appendix releases. NASA intends to issue appendices every six to 12 months to address evolving space technology needs. Details regarding Standing ACO can be accessed via Standing ACO.

NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) leads the development, demonstration, and infusion of transformational space technologies that solve critical stakeholder needs and support future NASA, government, and commercial missions. STMD investments aim to (1) advance U.S. space technology innovation and competitiveness in a global context, (2) foster innovation by cultivating breakthrough ideas, embracing risk, and fueling a competitive space economy and (3) inspire and develop a powerful U.S. aerospace technology community to improve life on Earth and in space. STMD releases collaboration opportunities throughout the year, allowing NASA to find and fund solutions, innovations, and services from a range of people and organizations.

The entrepreneurial U.S. commercial space industry is rapidly evolving, including the development of new sub-orbital and orbital launch vehicles, as well as the development of new spacecraft technologies and the business models to implement them. It is clear, however, that this emerging industry faces significant challenges. NASA’s support through partnerships with industry can accelerate the availability of technology and reduce costs for the development and infusion of new emerging space capabilities. NASA’s support could include technical expertise, use of test facilities, hardware, and software to aid industry partners in maturing capabilities that can enable or enhance a range of space vehicle technologies, systems, and/or mature other closely related subsystems. NASA plans to use its Other Transaction Authority to enter into Unfunded Space Act Agreements (Unfunded SAAs) under which there is no exchange of funds between NASA and the Lead Entity.

STMD has used a Strategic Framework to guide its investment strategy, which provides proposers insight into technologies and capabilities of interest. The Framework aligns with Agency-wide NASA priorities, including the Moon to Mars Objectives and Science Decadal Surveys. The Strategic Framework provides context and traceability from overarching mission needs to high level goals, to the technological advances STMD should prioritize, and the specific technical challenges that must be addressed. The Strategic Framework is also aligned with the 2024 NASA Technology Taxonomy.

In 2024, STMD initiated a new collaborative process to better integrate the aerospace community’s most pervasive technical challenges and further guide NASA’s space technology development and investments. STMD published a document overviewing 187 shortfalls – technology areas requiring further development to meet future exploration, science, and other mission needs. The 2024 Civil Space Shortfall Ranking document, integrates input received from NASA mission directorates and centers, small and large industry organizations, other government agencies, academia, and other interested individuals. STMD is using the integrated ranked list and future updates as one of several investment decision-making factors including informing the development of capability goals and technology roadmaps.

Specific Appendix Call for Proposals will be periodically announced as Appendices to this Standing ACO. The intent is for Appendix selections to result in partnerships focused on advancing commercially developed space technologies, benefitting both the commercial and government use of space.  The Appendices will be issued under the Standing ACO in NSPIRES.

Technical and programmatic comments and questions may be addressed by email to [email protected].

More information about the topics is available Standing ACO on SAM.gov

Astrobiology, exploration.