# Aircraft Lease to Support NASA’s Spaceflight Imaging Activities

Notice b47429ad95d247719393fa2b9b4453fb (solicitation SCIFLI2026) from NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION, NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER, posted 2025-11-14, responses due 2025-11-25T19:00:00.000Z. Status: open.

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Notice ID | b47429ad95d247719393fa2b9b4453fb |
| Solicitation number | SCIFLI2026 |
| Type | Sources Sought |
| Agency | NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION |
| Sub-tier | NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION |
| Office | NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER |
| Posted | 2025-11-14T21:41:44.000Z |
| Response deadline (UTC) | 2025-11-25T19:00:00.000Z |
| Set-aside | - |
| NAICS | 532411 |
| PSC | W015 |
| Place of performance | Hampton, VA, USA |
| Award | - |

## Description

I. INTRODUCTION: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center (LaRC) is hereby soliciting information from potential sources for the lease of two (2) aircraft that will be structurally modified, operated by NASA in support of the Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery (SCIFLI) team for airborne imaging missions in support of human spaceflight activities, and then returned to the contractor (lessor) upon completion of the performance period. Modifications to the leased aircraft will include, but not be limited to, custom built EO/IR sensor systems integrated within the modified aircraft. NASA’s modification and use of the leased aircraft will include aircraft configurations & hardware previously approved for Gulfstream III, IV, and V aircraft currently owned and operated by NASA. The proposed aircraft modifications have received airworthiness certifications from the Western, Central, and Eastern Region Airworthiness Review Boards across the Agency. II. OVERVIEW & BACKGROUND: NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery (SCIFLI) project provides high-fidelity, multispectral and infrared imagery of aerospace vehicles during critical flight phases such as hypersonic reentry, atmospheric ascent, and parachute deployment. These observations are essential for validating aerothermal models, assessing thermal protection systems, and supporting mission assurance for both NASA and commercial spaceflight programs. To enable these capabilities, SCIFLI relies on airborne platforms that can position advanced imaging systems at precise vantage points under dynamic flight conditions. Aircraft support is critical to mission success, requiring high-altitude performance, payload integration flexibility, and global deployment readiness. NASA is seeking providers with the capability to support NASA’s requirements. SCIFLI will deploy multiple platforms along the Artemis II Orion reentry trajectory with scientific camera systems to observe the Orion capsule during entry, descent, and landing in the Pacific Ocean. The total number of aircraft available within the Agency to support the mission is limited. Using a leased aircraft provides a path for enabling backup imaging platforms if NASA or Navy aircraft become unavailable due to maintenance or schedule issues. A dry lease option also has the potential to allow for more cost-effective flight support of future Artemis observations. NASA contemplates an exclusive dry lease of up to two (2) aircraft. The aircraft will be temporarily structurally modified and operated by the Government in support of the SCIFLI team to perform airborne imaging missions in support of spaceflight activities. NASA will implement temporary structural modifications to the leased aircraft including, but not limited to, custom built EO/IR sensor systems and electronics integrated within the modified aircraft. NASA’s modifications will include aircraft configurations (i.e. single-pane optical windows & window frame assemblies) & hardware previously approved for Gulfstream III, IV, and V aircraft currently owned and operated by NASA that have received airworthiness certifications from the Western, Central, and Eastern Region Airworthiness Review Boards across the Agency. III. SUMMARY OF NASA’S OBJECTIVES & REQUIREMENTS: NASA anticipates it will be more cost effective and advantageous for the Government to contract for a short-term lease versus the longer-term cost of ownership (See FAR Subpart 7.4, Equipment Acquisition). NASA anticipates the Government could significantly reduce project costs if a lease strategy can be supported compared to the upfront procurement costs to buy and long-term cost of ownership of the aircraft. NASA is particularly interested in industry input, recommendations, Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimates to lease, and examples of prior aircraft leases to the Government. Type of Lease: The lease will be an exclusive dry lease in which the aircraft will be only subject to this lease and the contractor shall transfer custody and control for all flights during the term of the lease. Anticipated Period of Performance: Anticipated award date of mid-January 2026. The lease start date (effective date) of February 10, 2026 (FOB origin inspection of aircraft at contractor’s facility) that will include a minimum guaranteed base period of two (2) months with the option for the Government to extend the lease on a monthly basis for up to a total continuous term of 6 months (2-month base period and four 1-month option periods). Summary of Anticipated Contractor/Lessor Requirements and Responsibilities: Provide, under an exclusive dry lease, up to two (2) aircraft that meet or exceed the following minimum requirements/specifications. Any platform offered must specify capability of meeting NASA requirements and the capabilities to meet or exceed the intended flight profiles of the SCIFLI team’s support of the Artemis mission (more details will be provided if a solicitation is issued): Aircraft Minimum Requirements (in addition to other requirements detailed elsewhere) - The Government’s requirement is for two (2) G-V aircraft; however, would consider industry input and recommendations of the feasibility and advantages of one (1) G-IV and one (1) G-V. A minimum of one (1) aircraft shall include high-speed internet connectivity of ?15 Mbps upload performance. Corresponding military variants would also be considered if essentially equivalent. Pre-Delivery Configuration: The contractor/lessor shall ensure the leased aircraft meet an agreed upon cabin layout, (that will be further defined in a SOW if a solicitation is issued) prior to delivery of the asset(s). This is separate from the Government post-delivery structural modifications that the Government intends to perform. Pre and post lease inspections to be conducted at the contractor’s site. The leased aircraft shall be free of calendar/hourly maintenance inspections/actions for 

## Sources

- View on SAM.gov: https://sam.gov/opp/b47429ad95d247719393fa2b9b4453fb/view
- Data as of 2026-11-14. Source: https://sam.gov/data-services/Contract%20Opportunities/datagov

## Cite this

"Aircraft Lease to Support NASA’s Spaceflight Imaging Activities, SAM.gov contract opportunity b47429ad95d247719393fa2b9b4453fb." samgovapi.io, https://samgovapi.io/opportunity/b47429ad95d247719393fa2b9b4453fb, data as of 2026-11-14. Primary record: https://sam.gov/opp/b47429ad95d247719393fa2b9b4453fb/view

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