Every reason behind the verdict rather than the headline one — which of your certifications match, how much runway is left, whether the work is your size, and what we would need to know to sharpen it.
Written against this notice and what you have told us about your company. Anything we do not know is marked [NEEDS INPUT] in the draft rather than guessed at — read it before you send it.
Start a free trial to draft these. Nothing is sent to an agency on your behalf, ever — you get a document to review, edit and submit yourself.
Compliance matrix
Every stated and implied requirement, its source section, whether it is mandatory, and where your response will address it.
Proposal outline
A submission skeleton where every required element is a heading with its source requirement quoted beneath it. You write the substance; nothing gets forgotten.
Questions to submit
Genuine ambiguities and requirements that disadvantage a smaller bidder, drafted as questions you can submit before the Q&A deadline.
Past performance write-ups
Which of your prior awards best match this requirement, and draft write-ups in the format the agency asked for.
Solicitation details
Solicitation number
80MSFC26Q0008
Notice type
Presolicitation
NAICS
334519
Product service code
6695
Set-aside
No Set aside used
Posted
2026-08-20
Response deadline
Sep 4, 2026, 10:00 PM UTC
Contracting contact
cynthia.a.hubbard@nasa.gov
Market intelligence
Account requiredWho wins this work, and what it pays
Comparable awards under NAICS 334519 at this agency — the incumbent, what they were paid, when their period of performance ends, and the real pricing distribution rather than the headline number. From public federal award records.
NASA/ MSFC has a requirement for an Automated Universal Test System intended for automated mechanical testing of rigid plastic specimens within a shielded research facility that support tensile, flexural, and compression testing in accordance with standard test methods, with minimal operator interaction and optional future integration into remote-handling environments. The required system shall provide a minimum 100 kN test capability and automated tensile, compression, and flexural testing on a common platform. Required functions include automated specimen handling, specimen dimensional measurement, strain measurement/extensometry, data acquisition, specimen identification and traceability, and unattended batch testing. Due to constrained laboratory floor space, the system must provide these capabilities within a compact installed footprint. The work done at MSFC with radioactive materials requires a mechanical test system that can be used to test radioactive materials in a safe environment, such as the hot cells in MSFC building 4475. This system will be delivered to that building and will be installed in one of two hot cells. NASA/MSFC intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire the items from Instron, doing business as Illinois Tool Works, Inc. under the authority of FAR 6.103-1, 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Selection of Instron preserves compatibility with existing Government-owned Instron equipment, established test methods, accessories, software, operator training, and data workflows. Market research identified multiple commercial manufacturers of universal materials testing machines and automated specimen-handling systems. However, the Government requirement is not solely for a universal testing machine or automated tensile tester. And due to constrained laboratory floor space, the system must provide these capabilities within a compact installed footprint. The Instron AT3 Floor Model provides up to 300 kN capacity and automated tensile, compression, and flexural testing within an approximately 5 ft × 7 ft footprint. It additionally integrates specimen measurement, handling, data acquisition, and disposal within a commercially supported system. Based on the market research performed, Instron was the only commercially available system identified that satisfies the complete combination of force, test-mode automation, and laboratory-footprint requirements. The Government intends to acquire a commercial product or service using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Cynthia Hubbard at Cynthia.a.hubbard@nasa.gov or Annette Hawkins at Annette.Hawkins@nasa.gov not later than 5:00 P.M. C.D.T. on September 04, 2026. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis. A decision 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
Contact
Point of contact
Cynthia Hubbard
Role
not stated on this notice — SAM publishes a role for only about 5% of them, so this may be a contract specialist rather than the contracting officer
Email
cynthia.a.hubbard@nasa.gov
Secondary
annette.hawkins@nasa.gov
Submit questions
Ambiguities and requirements worth clarifying, written as questions you can send before the deadline.
Opens in your own mail client, addressed and with a subject line — you write the message. GovSprint never sends anything on your behalf.
Emails open in your mail client and are sent from your address, so the reply comes back to you and the exchange stays yours. Confirm the correct channel and any question deadline on the notice before sending — many solicitations require questions in a specific way.
