Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -3 (NextSTEP-3) Omnibus
NASA will fund industry-led studies, research, technology development, and demonstrations for deep-space exploration capabilities through future NextSTEP-3 BAA appendices.
⚑ Federal contract/BAA mechanism, not a grant. · Not a current solicitation; specific topics, eligibility, and submission rules will appear in future NextSTEP-3 BAA appendices. · Contract awards may continue beyond the omnibus effectivity date. · Eligibility is applicant-specific in appendices; public universities may be able to participate only if allowed by a given appendix and contract structure.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 75 strong | technical depth: central; funds applied research |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 45 partial | funds applied research; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
| IPPRA | 42 partial | peripheral portfolio topic: energy; social/behavioral work is none; funds applied research; university can only partner, not lead |
Description
NASA’s strategic objectives include stimulating the growth of human spaceflight commercial activities while leveraging those same commercial capabilities to deliver mission capabilities. The Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships-3 (NextSTEP-3) Omnibus is a mechanism to support future NASA Broad Agency Announcements (BAA) for contracting with industry to develop deep space exploration capabilities. It is an update to the NextSTEP-2 Omnibus that was released in 2016 and that supported NASA’s issuance of 17 solicitations as NextSTEP-2 BAA Appendices from 2016 through 2024. NASA expects to issue individual NextSTEP-3 BAA Appendices periodically as needed to perform studies and conduct research and technology development and demonstrations that enable long-term human presence and exploration throughout the solar system, in accordance with NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration strategy, objectives, and architecture (https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/nasa-details-strategy-behind-blueprint-for-moon-to-mars-exploration). The NextSTEP-3 Omnibus is effective for five years, through September 26, 2029. Contracts awarded through NextSTEP-3 BAA Appendices may continue to execute beyond the effectivity of this Omnibus. This Omnibus document is not a solicitation. Focused research areas will be announced by issuing solicitations in the form of NextSTEP-3 BAA Appendices. Detailed information about Offeror eligibility, proposal submission requirements, proposal evaluation criteria, and additional administrative matters will be identified in BAA Appendices.
Eligibility
Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: . Notice type: Presolicitation. Organization: NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION / NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION / NASA HEADQUARTERS.
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Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · Federal (generic) conventions SEE A FEDERAL EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — Federal (generic)'s document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.