Integration and flight support for EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope (EXCITE) Balloon Mission Gondola System science flight.

NASA is seeking integration and flight‑support services for the EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope (EXCITE) balloon‑borne gondola system. The effort is a commercial‑item services contract, presently soliciting capability statements to determine whether a competitive procurement is feasible, though a sole‑source award to Starspec Technologies Inc. is intended under FAR 12.102(a). Work will involve verification of telemetry links, gondola flight‑readiness testing, in‑flight pointing tuning, and on‑site support at NASA balloon facilities and at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, for the FY 27 summer season. The period of performance runs from 20 Nov 2026 to 31 Dec 2027. No price quotations are to be submitted at this stage; only capability statements are required by the deadline. • Integration of all gondola subsystems (mechanical, electrical, software) and verification of ground‑to‑gondola telemetry (Starlink, Iridium, TDRSS). • Laboratory flight‑readiness testing and in‑flight pointing system tuning using reference stars and science targets. • On‑site field support at NASA Long‑Duration Balloon facilities and travel‑approved support at McMurdo Station during the FY 27 Antarctic summer. • Submission of a written capability statement (no pricing) by 12 p.m. CST, 2 Nov 2026. • Potential sole‑source award to Starspec Technologies Inc., Canada, unless competitive capability statements justify an open competition.