Frequently Asked Questions About NASA KSC Partnerships

The NASA Authorization Act of 2010 (S. 3729) identified Kennedy Space Center (KSC) as a “multi-user launch complex for Government and commercial” operations.  The KSC team has since met the challenge and transformed the center.  The dedicated civil servant and contractor workforce has refurbished and repurposed Kennedy’s institutional facilities and infrastructure and honed and grown its technological skills to capably service Government and commercial users and their ambitious missions. Today, KSC is the nation’s premier, multi-user spaceport.

To accommodate doing business, KSC’s Spaceport Development Division is the facilitator and serves as KSC’s “front door” to industry, academia, and other government organizations interested in exploring cooperative opportunities.

Q. What is a NASA “partnership?”

A: NASA uses the term “partnership” to describe a wide variety of relationships with various external entities (e.g., contractors, academia, the public, other stakeholders).  For the purpose of these FAQs, a “partnership” is a distinct type of non-procurement business relationship that does not involve the acquisition of goods and services for the direct benefit of the Agency.

Q. How do I partner with KSC?

A:  KSC can partner with organizations from government, industry and academia. There are several ways to partner with KSC:
In response to a Public Announcement:  KSC uses various types of public announcements to communicate information about available assets.  These formal communications, including Announcement for Proposal (AFP), Request for Information (RFI), and Notice of Availability (NOA), can be found on the SAM.gov Contract Opportunities website, and the NASA Acquisition Internet Service website.
Online Request Form:  From any page on this website, there is a link to submit an online inquiry, question or request: Interest Request Form. 
Email:  Inquiries, questions, or request for more information  can be sent to  KSC-Partnerships@mail.nasa.gov

Q: Why does NASA engage in Partnerships?

A: Partnerships help the Agency accomplish its mission objectives in several ways, including:

• Facilitating collaborative opportunities with domestic and international partners
• Helping NASA resolve gaps in technical capabilities that are important to meet our mission objectives.
• Supporting U.S. economic innovation and industrial competitiveness.
• Serving as a tool for meeting NASA’s mandate under the Space Act of encouraging the “fullest commercial use of space”.
• Helping to maintain essential NASA expertise and facilities.
• Advancing NASA’s STEM education and outreach goals.

Q: What is the difference between Partnership Agreements and Procurement Contracts?

A: Partnership agreements are generally used to: 

• (1) support the needs of the external partner where the partner reimburses government expenses (reimbursable partnership) or (2) achieve a mutual goal when working collaboratively on a no-exchange-of-funds basis (nonreimbursable partnership).
• Procurement contracts, which are subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and procurement statutes, are required when the principal purpose of the transaction is to acquire property or services for the direct benefit or use of the Federal Government. 
• Both procurements and partnerships are important tools used by NASA in meeting its missions.

Q: What is a Space Act Agreement (SAA)?

A: The most common legal instrument used to formulate partnerships at NASA is called the Space Act Agreement (SAA). NASA is authorized by Congress to enter into these kinds of agreement per its “Other Transactions Authority (OTA)” under the National Aeronautics and Space Act (51 U.S.C. § 20113(e)). These agreements are similar to Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) that some other Federal agencies use when partnering with industry. SAAs can be nonreimbursable, reimbursable, funded, or unfunded.

• Nonreimbursable agreements are agreements in which the partner and NASA are involved in a mutually beneficial activity that furthers the Agency’s objectives, wherein each party bears the cost of its participation on a no-exchange-of-funds basis. 
• Reimbursable agreements are agreements that primarily benefit the partner and NASA’s costs associated with the activity are reimbursed by the agreement partner in accordance with Agency financial policy. NASA undertakes reimbursable agreements when it has goods, services, facilities, or equipment not reasonably available from the U.S. commercial sector, that can be made available to others on a noninterference basis, consistent with the Agency’s mission objectives.
• Funded agreements are agreements in which NASA transfers appropriated funds to a domestic partner to accomplish an Agency objective where there is no direct benefit to NASA. Funded agreements may be used when the Agency cannot accomplish its objectives through the use of a procurement contract, grant, or cooperative agreement, and only after full and open competition.
• Unfunded agreements are agreements in which the Agency provides goods, services, facilities, or equipment on a no-exchange-of-funds basis to a domestic partner to accomplish an Agency objective where there is no direct benefit to NASA. NASA will enter into Unfunded agreements only after full and open competition.

Q: What type of partnership agreements are available with KSC, and how long does the partnerships process take?

A: KSC uses a variety of partnership agreements that are based on the needs of both the partner and the Center.  While some requirements are standard for all agreements, every partnership agreement has its unique nuances and is customized to accommodate the goals of the partner.  Each partner works with a KSC Partnership Integration Manager to identify the best approach for all parties.  Because of this custom approach, the timeline for executing an agreement varies, though the goal is to complete the transaction as efficiently as possible.

Entities we partner with include:

• U.S. Industry (large and small)
• Other Federal agencies
• Research institutions
• Public outreach organizations (e.g., museums)
• State and local governments
• Colleges and universities
• Foreign entities (businesses, academia, research institutions, governments)
• Professional associations and non-profits

Q: How will NASA manage potential user conflicts in schedule or location?

A: KSC welcomes all tenants and works with each user’s requirements to determine the optimal location in accordance with KSC’s Master Plan strategy.  All tenants coordinate the scheduling and execution of hazardous operations with NASA and provide information to enable NASA to respond to security, fire, medical and environmental emergencies.  In addition, NASA maintains a spaceport master schedule of integrated operations that partners participate in to ensure effective communication of schedules.

Q:  What is the status of the KSC Master Plan

A:  Kennedy Space Center’s Master Plan has been completed and scheduled for release in spring 2026. This comprehensive plan is based on KSC’s 2021 Future Development Concept and represents a significant step forward in achieving KSC’s strategic objectives and long-term vision. 
 
Click here for information included in the update.

Q: Do Partners have access to NASA contractors to perform work requirements?

A: Yes, under certain circumstances.  The nature of the work should be unique, such that no outside commercial operator could perform the work without significant knowledge of working onsite at KSC.  A reimbursable services agreement is required with advance funding.  In no circumstance will the Government become financially liable for services requested by and provided to partners.

Q: What are KSC’s specific criteria when considering potential partnerships?

A:  Spaceport Development Division evaluates all inquiries and determines if they meet the following criteria, which are established to help assess the value and feasibility of the proposed partnership.  Detailed criteria, conditions and limitations are associated with specific opportunities, but, in general, partnerships may be appropriate if:

• Proposed uses of KSC physical assets are compatible with existing and future spaceport operations and consistent with KSC environmental stewardship responsibilities and the management of lands making up the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore.
• The partnership proposal is clearly aligned with the spaceport resources and activities, or the proposal contributes to the asset management responsibilities of Government-wide directives at KSC.
• Proposed uses of KSC physical assets – Government real property – are consistent with the KSC Master Plan, current agency policy and regulations governing asset management, and demonstrate a clear and equitable benefit to KSC consistent with its contribution.

Q:  What is “Divesting without Diminishing?”

A: Divesting without diminishing is a strategy used by KSC to acknowledge that not all capabilities developed by the Agency will be retained and funded as-is.  Supplies and services that were required by the Agency for previous, retired programs may not be immediately required for new programs.  However, significant demand opportunities may exist to provide comparable services to commercial industry.  In these instances, KSC seeks to retain a suite of available capabilities that can meet commercial requirements and be available to support government requirements when they arise.

Q: Does KSC have laboratories and test facilities available for customer use?

A: KSC is home to more than 30 laboratories and test facilities staffed by hundreds of engineers, scientists and technical experts covering a wide range of fields.  Our laboratories can partner to provide solutions to a variety of challenges.  Most laboratories and test facilities are operated by KSC employees, although a few are considered user facilities open to outside entities like payload developers.  Check out the Testing and Laboratories webpage to find out more about our unique capabilities and submit an Interest Request Form when you’re ready to partner with us.

Q: Where can I get information about facilities and property that are available for use at KSC?

A: For information on KSC’s physical assets, go to the link at KSC Physical Assets
To follow updates on these physical assets, go to the link KSC Physical Assets FAQs

Q: Where can I find more information about NASA media usage guidelines, regulations on merchandising requests, and regulations on advertising requests?

A: Please visit the NASA Brand Center at https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-brand-center/.