NASA REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) – NEUTRAL BUOYANCY LABORATORY (NBL) FACILITY COMMERCIAL UTILIZATION

Background:

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) Flight Operations Directorate (FOD) Extravehicular Activity (EVA), Robotics & Crew Operations Division (CX) is hereby seeking interest from outside organizations including, but not limited to, commercial entities, educational institutions, non-profit or charitable organizations, and other Governmental Agencies in utilizing the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) facility that is used for activities such as zero-gravity or 1/6th gravity simulations, on-water search and rescue operations, and underwater training activities.

NBL Description:

NASA’s NBL is one of the world’s largest indoor pools capable of supporting multiple large-scale operations utilizing both underwater and topside assets simultaneously (https://www.nasa.gov/johnson/neutral-buoyancy-laboratory/).  While the NBL is primarily used for astronaut training, mission planning, and hardware and tool development, it can also accommodate Department of Defense activities as well as commercial entities.

• The pool is 202 ft. long, 102 ft. wide, with a depth of 40 ft. and a volume of 6.2 million gallons of chlorinated water maintained between 84° - 86° with state-of-the-art filtration systems for clear visibility.
• The NBL contains multiple integrated control rooms, video and audio capabilities, SCUBA and surface supplied dive systems, breathing gas of 46% oxygen enriched air nitrox and breathing air, and medical and safety staff.
• Has proven experience supporting secure operations in an environment allowing for after-hours operations, darkened underwater conditions, and chilled water, down to 38 degrees.
• Existing infrastructure provides the capability to support numerous projects of various security levels.
• Ability to simulate zero-g activities or 1/6th gravity activities on simulated lunar regolith for lunar operations.
• Ability to simulate nighttime activities as well as wind/rain and wave generation environments.
• Can/have supported:  water survival, habitats, remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, semi-submersibles, etc.
• The NBL is located next to the Houston Spaceport and Ellington Airfield with access to a taxiway for large hardware delivery, and both indoor and outdoor secure storage facilities.
• Onsite hyperbaric chambers.
• High-bay–accessible outdoor secured storage and staging areas.
• Facility-level uninterruptable power supply, auxiliary electrical power, compressed air, and chilled water.
• Conference and meeting rooms.
• Two 25-ton bridge cranes.
• Fully secured 24/7, ensuring guard-gate–controlled access to the grounds and badge-controlled access within the facility.
• Three 1.6-ton jib cranes.
• Additional security options for proprietary projects.
• Two Davit cranes.
• Lifting equipment (forklifts, tow tug, aerial platforms, and scissor lifts).

NASA invites interested parties to explore collaboration opportunities at this unique and highly capable facility.

Submission Instructions:

Any interested firms are invited to submit a response to this RFI by 5:00 p.m. CST on September 30, 2026. All responses under this RFI must be emailed to elizabeth.kosobud@nasa.gov.  Any information shall be provided via email and shall include:  Entity name, POC name, address, email/phone number, proposed usage, and timeframe requested. Please do not submit proprietary information. Data that is marked "proprietary" will not be reviewed.

This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and there is no solicitation at this time. The Government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred by the respondents. The Government intends to review the responses submitted by industry and will contact the appropriate vendors should a response seem viable. No evaluation letters and/or results will be issued to the respondents. The data will not be shared outside the Government, but may be used to develop future requirements, refine requirements, and/or develop the best approach for any contract strategy.