NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Annual Spend
$28B+ annually
CMMC Level
Level 1-2 for applicable contracts
Key Offices
NSSC, JSC, GSFC
Overview
NASA procures over $28 billion annually for space exploration, scientific research, aeronautics, and technology development. NASA contracts tend to be highly technical, with significant R&D components and cost-reimbursement structures. Each NASA center has its own procurement office and technical specialties.
Mission Focus & Priorities
NASA's FY2026 priorities center on Artemis lunar missions, Mars Sample Return, and critical IT infrastructure modernization. The agency's $3.2B IT budget focuses on cloud migration through the Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) contract, with emphasis on hybrid cloud architectures supporting mission-critical systems. AI/ML initiatives target autonomous spacecraft operations, predictive maintenance for International Space Station systems, and enhanced Earth observation data analysis through the Advanced Information Systems Technology (AIST) program. Zero Trust implementation is accelerating across NASA's 10 field centers, with particular focus on securing contractor access to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate drives 40% of contract activity ($11.2B annually), followed by Science Mission Directorate at 35% ($9.8B). Goddard Space Flight Center and Johnson Space Center represent the highest contract volumes. Emerging technology areas include quantum communications for deep space missions, advanced propulsion systems, and In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) technologies for lunar operations. The Technology Demonstration Missions program has seen 45% budget growth. CMMC 2.0 significantly impacts NASA procurement, with the agency implementing pilot programs through the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Mission-critical contracts now require Level 2 certification, affecting suppliers to programs like Space Launch System and Orion. NASA's unique challenge involves protecting technical data for international partnerships while maintaining CMMC compliance, particularly for ISS commercial crew programs and Artemis partner nation collaborations.
Budget & Spending Trends
NASA's FY2025 budget of $25.4B represents a 3.2% increase from FY2024, with FY2026 projected at $28.1B. The largest growth areas include Space Technology Mission Directorate (+12% to $1.4B) and Artemis program (+8% to $7.9B). NAICS 336414 (Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing) contracts increased 15% to $8.2B, while NAICS 541712 (R&D in Physical Sciences) grew 18% to $4.1B. Declining categories include NAICS 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts Manufacturing) down 8% to $890M. Prime contractor concentration remains high with top 10 primes capturing 68% of total spend, though small business participation reached 26.3% in FY2024, exceeding the 23% goal. Set-aside allocations show HUBZone contracts growing 22% to $1.8B, while 8(a) contracts increased 14% to $2.1B. SDVOSB awards reached $780M (+19%). Geographic concentration centers on California (28% of awards), Texas (18%), and Florida (15%), driven by major field centers. Subcontract activity represents approximately 35% of total NASA spend, with Tier 1 subcontractors seeing increased direct awards. SBIR/STTR funding reached $580M, supporting 1,200+ small businesses. Multiple award indefinite delivery contracts now represent 45% of total procurement volume, up from 38% in FY2023, reflecting NASA's preference for flexible acquisition strategies.
How to Win Contracts with NASA
Success in NASA contracting requires strategic positioning through preferred vehicles including NASA SEWP V ($20B ceiling), GSA IT Schedule 70 for commercial IT solutions, and the Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) contract for telecommunications. The NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC) manages administrative contracting, while technical requirements originate from mission directorates. Key procurement offices include NASA Headquarters Office of Procurement (policy), Johnson Space Center Procurement Office (human spaceflight), and Goddard Space Flight Center Procurement Division (science missions). SAM.gov search strategies should target NAICS 336414, 541712, 541330, and 541511, combined with PSC codes R425 (Space Vehicles), R499 (Other R&D), and D399 (IT Services). Filter for NASA agency identifier and monitor set-asides matching your business size. Teaming is essential for large procurements; establish relationships with major primes like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and SpaceX. NASA's Mentor-Protégé Program offers accelerated opportunities for small businesses. Past performance requirements typically demand contracts ≥$10M for major competitions, with 3-5 recent relevant examples. Technical relevance outweighs contract value for specialized capabilities. RFP cycles average 12-18 months for major systems, 6-9 months for services. Evaluation criteria emphasize technical approach (40-50%), past performance (25-30%), and cost (20-25%). This week's action items: register in SEWP V if eligible, identify NASA personnel through LinkedIn and conferences, review upcoming solicitations in Federal Business Opportunities, establish relationships with Goddard and Johnson procurement offices, and assess mentor-protégé partnership opportunities.
CMMC Requirements for NASA Contractors
NASA's CMMC implementation focuses on protecting Controlled Technical Information (CTI) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) data. Level 2 certification is required for contracts involving spacecraft design, propulsion systems, and mission-critical software development, affecting approximately 35% of NASA's contract portfolio valued at $9.8B annually. Level 1 suffices for administrative services, facilities management, and non-technical support contracts. NASA began including CMMC clauses in new solicitations in Q3 2024, with full implementation expected by Q2 2025. The agency's phased approach prioritizes human spaceflight and national security-related contracts first. Subcontractor flowdown requirements are particularly stringent, with prime contractors responsible for ensuring all tiers handling CUI maintain appropriate CMMC levels. NASA's compliance culture emphasizes collaboration over punitive enforcement, offering contractors 180-day remediation periods for minor deficiencies. Early CMMC adopters include the Office of the Chief Information Officer and the Independent Verification and Validation Facility. Kennedy Space Center and Johnson Space Center are piloting enhanced CMMC requirements for commercial crew and Artemis contracts. Cost implications are significant, with CMMC Level 2 certification estimated to add 2-4% to contract costs, affecting NASA's budget planning. Small businesses face particular challenges, with NASA establishing a $50M cybersecurity support fund to assist small contractors. The agency's unique international partnership requirements create complex compliance scenarios, requiring specialized legal interpretation for data sharing with allies while maintaining CMMC standards.
Top NAICS Codes
Common Contract Types
Key Procurement Offices
Recent Contract Awards
Total Awards
10
Last 30 Days
5
30-Day Value
$670.0M
Avg Amount
$134.0M
All-Time Value
$11.7B
FPDS
| Contract | Awardee | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Test Evaluation and Support Team 3 (TEST3) Period of Performance Extension | SIERRA LOBO INC | $266.0M |
| RSMeans Data Online – FedRAMP, Concurrent, Complete Plus FY26 | THE GORDIAN GROUP, INC. | $645K |
| Extension #2 of the Ames Facilities Support Services (AFSS) Contract | AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC. | $251.6M |
| NEXT GENERATION SCALABLE DATA ENGINEERING, OPERATIONS, AND INFORMATICS SUPPORT FOR OPEN SCIENCE (NEXT GEN) | New Rights Group, Inc. | $75.9M |
| NEXT GENERATION SCALABLE DATA ENGINEERING, OPERATIONS, AND INFORMATICS SUPPORT FOR OPEN SCIENCE (NEXT GEN) | New Rights Group, Inc. | $75.9M |
| Wastewater Collection and Treatment | HANCOCK COUNTY UTILITY AUTHORITY | $3.9M |
| Project and Engineering Support Services II (PESS II) Extension | MILLENNIUM ENGINEERING AND INTEGRATION SERVICES, LLC | $58.6M |
| NASA Search and Rescue System Support Contract | TECHNO-SCIENCES, LLC | $9.8M |
| Electric Service for Stennis Space Center | MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | $18.0M |
| Microgravity Flight Services | ZERO-GRAVITY CORPORATION | $7.5M |
Top Awardees
Top Contractors (FPDS)
| Contractor | Total Obligation |
|---|---|
| CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | $1.1B |
| THE BOEING COMPANY | $262.9M |
| BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC | $247.4M |
| THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC | $181.0M |
| LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP | $135.2M |
| THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY, LLC | $131.8M |
| SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP. | $107.9M |
| BLUE ORIGIN FEDERATION, LLC | $84.7M |
| NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION | $83.9M |
| AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC. | $79.8M |
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Get AlertsFrequently Asked Questions
How do I find contracts with NASA?
Search SAM.gov for active National Aeronautics and Space Administration solicitations. Monitor the NASA procurement forecast published annually. Register in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and set up saved searches for relevant NAICS codes.
Does NASA require CMMC?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration does not currently require CMMC for most contracts. However, NASA may have its own cybersecurity requirements. Contractors should review individual solicitations for specific requirements.
What are the top NAICS codes for NASA contracts?
The most commonly used NAICS codes for National Aeronautics and Space Administration contracts include 541715, 541330, 541511, 336414, 541380. These codes cover the primary contracting areas for NASA. Check SAM.gov for specific opportunities under each code.
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