Orion Crew Survival Systems Suit (OCSS) Intent to Sole Source

The National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) at Johnson Space Center (JSC) has a requirement for the Orion Crew Survival Systems Suit (OCSS) and accompanying support hardware. The effort will provide for production of flight crew and backup flight crew suits, along with supporting suit hardware, for Artemis 3 (A3) and subsequent flights. These items will also be used by the Orion Crew Survival Systems team in critical integrated-system tests and flight crew training. To meet the needs of the Artemis mission architecture, the suit must already have completed the full qualification efforts for compatibility with the Orion vehicle and the Artemis mission requirements.

NASA JSC intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire the OCSS from David Clark Company Incorporated (DCCI) under the authority of FAR 6.103-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial product or commercial service using FAR Part 12.   

Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to John Leppala at john.leppala@nasa.gov and Stephen Noethen at stephen.d.noethen@nasa.gov not later than 5PM Central Daylight Time (CDT) on May 7, 2026. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis. Interested parties shall declare its business size status (Large Business, Small Business, Woman-Owned Small Business, etc.). A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.

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