NASA opens second on-ramp for commercial Earth observation data contracts

Questions and answers:

• What is NASA soliciting through this new on-ramp? NASA is requesting proposals for new commercial Earth observation data products as part of its Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition (CSDA) multiple-award contract.
• Who is eligible to submit proposals? Any responsible source may apply under this full and open competition, including new vendors and existing CSDA contract holders with new data offerings.
• What kinds of data are of interest to NASA? NASA is seeking high-resolution, high-frequency, or otherwise novel Earth observation data to support scientific research and public sector applications.

WASHINGTON - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has opened a new opportunity for commercial Earth observation companies to propose data products for inclusion under its Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition (CSDA) contract vehicle. The latest solicitation, identified as 80HQTR25R7003, marks the second "on-ramp" under the CSDA Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, first awarded in October 2023.

The CSDA program is designed to provide NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, Earth Science Division, with a streamlined mechanism to acquire commercially generated satellite data and related services. The goal is to complement NASA’s existing Earth observation assets with high-resolution, high-frequency, or otherwise novel datasets obtained from commercial constellations. These data may support a range of scientific and applied research efforts, including environmental monitoring, climate studies, and natural disaster response.

Through the on-ramp process, new vendors can compete for a spot on the contract, and existing awardees may submit additional offerings derived from recently developed instruments or data products not included in their original awards. Pricing updates are limited to the new submissions; existing pricing remains fixed for the duration of the contract. The on-ramp contract ordering period runs through Nov. 15, 2028.

NASA demonstrates AI system for smarter satellite imaging

Contract terms

All data products acquired under this contract must adhere to NASA-defined End User License Agreements (EULAs), which are mandatory and non-negotiable. These licenses are intended to ensure broad data accessibility for U.S. government agencies and partners under designated scientific, non-commercial use tiers. The draft Statement of Work and EULAs are included in the solicitation package.

The procurement is being conducted as a full and open competition under the commercial acquisition procedures of FAR Subpart 12.6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541990, with a $19.5 million small business size standard. Task orders issued under the CSDA contract will be firm-fixed price.

Proposals must be submitted electronically via email to contracting officer Jasmine Jett at [email protected] no later than 2 p.m. EDT on 18 August 2025. Technical and contractual questions are due by 11 August 11 and must also be submitted by email. No phone inquiries will be accepted. More information is available at https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/836490566065487c8b89cc40b11237c1/view.