Procurement Opportunity Document (POD) for Medium Explorer Concept Spacecraft and On-Orbit Support

Background
NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is planning to release a Heliophysics Medium Explorer (MIDEX) Announcement of Opportunity (AO) in the fourth quarter of FY2025. This initiative aims to solicit proposals that align with the 2013 Decadal Survey science objectives. The contract seeks to establish partnerships for the integration of a satellite (spacecraft) for the MIDEX mission, which is currently in pre-Phase A.

Work Details
The selected teaming partners will serve as the satellite integrator for the MIDEX mission, which includes:
- Providing a spacecraft bus consistent with a Class C mission per NPR 8705.4 Risk Classification for NASA Payloads.
- Instrument to spacecraft integration and environmental testing support at the vendor's facility.
- Integration support for the observatory to launch vehicle.
- Support for mission operations.
- Optionally, providing a mission operations center.

The total cost cap for this AO is $300M (FY25$), excluding launch vehicle costs and specific adjustments. Proposed costs must include instruments, spacecraft, integration support, environmental testing, launch site operations, and operations for at least two years.

Period of Performance
The AO required Launch Readiness Date is targeted for January 2032.

Place of Performance
The work will primarily take place at the vendor's facility for integration and environmental testing, with potential additional activities at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).