Strategic Studies for Advanced Propulsion Technologies

Q&A Posted March 13th, 2026

1. What are the specific expectations for the Sources Sought response and will NASA provide feedback on the Sources Sought responses? The Sources Sought is seeking capability statements from all interested parties (i.e. Industry capabilities in the form of literature and/or brochures, etc.). This is solely for market research only, no solicitation exists. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.
2. Is there a length restriction or format requirement? No
3. Will the responses be made public? No, however NASA may publicize a listing of respondents to facilitate teaming arrangements. Should your firm desire not to be included in this listing, clearly indicate this desire in your response.
4. How will proprietary information be protected? Information marked proprietary will be protected and used for market research purposes only.

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NASA/Glenn Research Center (GRC) is hereby soliciting information from potential sources for Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) Manufacturing Study and Open Fan Flight Demonstration Study.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) GRC is seeking capability statements from all interested parties, including all socioeconomic categories of Small Businesses and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)/Minority Institutions (MI) for the purposes of determining the appropriate level of competition and/or small business subcontracting goals for CMC Manufacturing Study and Open Fan Flight Demonstration Study. The Government reserves the right to consider a Small, 8(a), Women-owned (WOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran (SD-VOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-owned Small Business (EDWOSB) or HUBZone business set-aside based on responses received.

A new Subsonic Vehicles Technologies and Tools (SVTT) Project has been established within NASA’s Advanced Air Vehicles Program (AAVP). The SVTT Project consolidates select elements of three previous NASA Projects: Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (RVLT), Advanced Air Transport Technology (AATT), and the Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC). SVTT will advance the knowledge, technologies, and concepts that enable accelerated introduction of radical aircraft and engine technologies across multiple vehicle classes. The SVTT project is soliciting two studies to help inform the portfolio of NASA Technical Work that will enable next generation aircraft and further subsonic vehicle propulsion systems.

CMC Manufacturing Study

Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) with environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) are key to higher temperature capable, lighter hot section components. NASA and industry roadmaps prioritize advancing CMCs and their required EBCs life prediction models and exposure testing to de risk engine insertion and support next generation core architectures. The objective is to study the affordable rapid manufacture of high temperature, robust CMCs. The study result will be a clear set of requirements, risks, and a technology roadmap for rapid and scalable manufacturing of advanced CMC hot section components.

Open Fan Flight Demonstration Study

Open fan propulsors promise substantial fuel-burn reduction and increased efficiency for single aisle aircraft. A significant barrier is accurately predicting integrated/installed benefits, because open fans strongly couple aerodynamics, acoustics, structures, and aircraft configuration, and current ground and wind tunnel tests cannot fully capture all installation and operational effects. As a result, well instrumented flight testing is essential to validate models, de risk certification, and quantify real world performance and noise. The objective is to conduct a comprehensive study that defines the requirements, scope, and feasibility of an open-fan flight demonstration. This study will address technical, operational, and certification considerations, including aerodynamic integration, structural impacts, noise and emissions performance, and propulsion system reliability. 

No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov. Interested firms are responsible for monitoring this website for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.

Vendors having the capabilities necessary to meet or exceed the stated requirements are invited to submit appropriate documentation, literature, brochures, and references.

All responses shall be submitted electronically via email to Claude David at claude.e.david@nasa.gov no later than 5:00 PM EDT March 20, 2026. Please reference 80GRC026R0002 in any response.

This synopsis 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. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. 

NASA intends to publicize a listing of respondents to facilitate teaming arrangements. Should your firm desire not to be included in this listing, clearly indicate this desire in your response.