NASA Postdoctoral Program-3 (NPP-3) - Draft Request for Proposal (DRFP)   2

Background
NASA Headquarters (HQ) is planning to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP-3). This acquisition supports NASA’s Science Mission Directorates and aims to advance NASA’s mission by providing research and management opportunities to talented individuals at NASA Centers, HQ, other facilities, and designated universities.

The primary goal of this contract is to acquire management and administration services for the NPP.

Work Details
The contractor will provide comprehensive program management and administration services, which include:
1) Program-Level Services;
2) Website and Knowledge Management Services;
3) Soliciting Applicants;
4) Receiving and Reviewing Applications;
5) Enrolling New Fellows;
6) Supporting Fellows during their Tenure;
7) Financial Reporting and Program Effectiveness;
8) Operational Performance Plan and Metrics;
9) Phase-In and Phase-Out Activities.

The Performance Work Statement (PWS), Attachment A, outlines the detailed scope of these requirements.

Period of Performance
The total potential period of performance is five years, consisting of a twelve-month Base Period followed by four one-month option periods.

Place of Performance
MD 20771 UNITED STATES

Bidder Requirements
Offerors must provide proof of J-1 Visa Processing approval from the State Department as part of their proposal. Additionally, they must be able to obtain and maintain an Authority to Operate (ATO) on behalf of NASA in compliance with the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA 2024).

Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
This opportunity appears to have a confirmed incumbent based on prior contract 80HQTR21CA005 awarded to Oak Ridge Associated Universities for program management of the NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP-2), with a period of performance from 01/30/22 to 01/29/27 and a value of $129,738,128. The prior scope includes management and administration functions that closely align with the NPP-3 requirement—program-level services, website/knowledge support, soliciting and reviewing applications, enrolling and supporting fellows, and collecting/reporting program data with performance planning and metrics—suggesting the new effort may be a continuation or follow-on administration of the postdoctoral program.