NASA Plans Mars Telecommunications Network Orbiter Procurement for Future Missions

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) anticipates competing the procurement of a high-performance Mars telecommunications orbiter under the program name Mars Telecommunications Network (MTN), formerly referred to as the Mars Telecommunications Orbiter (MTO).

This opportunity encompasses the design, development, integration, launch, and on-orbit operations of a Mars telecommunications orbiter intended to provide robust, continuous communications in support of a Mars sample return mission and future Mars surface, orbital, and human exploration missions. The MTN is expected to support autonomous operations, onboard processing, and extended mission duration capabilities.

The Draft Request for Proposal (RFP) is forthcoming. In advance of the Draft RFP, NASA is providing the “MTN Objectives and Requirements Document” with this announcement for industry’s review and optional comment.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted as Public Law 119-21 and signed into law on July 4, 2025, amended chapter 203 of title 51, United States Code, by adding section 20306, Special appropriations for Mars missions, Artemis missions, and Moon to Mars program. Section 51 U.S.C.

§ 20306(a)(1) provides for the procurement, using a competitively bid, firm fixed-price contract with a United States commercial provider, of a high-performance Mars telecommunications orbiter, and specifies requirements applicable to that procurement. NASA anticipates that the Draft and Final Requests for Proposals will reflect the applicable provisions of 51 U.S.C. § 20306(a)(1).

In accordance with the advisory multi-step process described in FAR 15.101(e), potential offerors will be requested to submit nonbinding informational submissions addressing statutory compliance considerations, for the purpose of enabling NASA to provide advisory feedback regarding the offerors’ potential to be viable competitors.

All potential offerors are encouraged to submit feedback on the “MTN Objectives and Requirements Document.” Such feedback should not exceed five (5) pages and will be treated as information only, and not as proposal information.

Responses to this announcement shall be submitted no later than (NLT) 2:00 PM EST on Tuesday, March 10, 2026; and shall be submitted electronically via email to Alisha Mercadante, Contracting Officer at alisha.m.mercadante@nasa.gov. This notification is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for information solicited.

NASA reserves the right to share information received in response to this notification, as necessary, and to use information submitted in NASA's formulation of a solicitation seeking competitive proposals related to initiatives described herein. NASA is not requesting competition sensitive or export-controlled data that requires protection.

Notwithstanding the above, if it is necessary to submit competition sensitive data, that data should be clearly segregated and marked as sensitive. NASA will protect such data from public disclosure to the extent permitted under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and other laws and regulations.

Additionally, any International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) restricted information should be appropriately labeled. Although information contained herein represents current program content and acquisition planning, it is subject to change. NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable.

The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at : https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf The North American Industry Classification System Code and Size Standard are 517410 – Satellite Communication and $44M, respectively. The Government anticipates acquiring a commercial product and/or commercial service in accordance with FAR Part 12.

This posting, in addition to any attached documents, will be available on www.Sam.gov. It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor this website for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any).