The NRA entitled "Research Opportunities in Aeronautics" was posted on the NASA Research Opportunities solicitation system called NSPIRES. Click here to go directly to the ARMD NRA NSPIRES page.

ARMD anticipated that educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and industry engaged in foundational research would be the primary recipients of awards for this NRA.

The following was general information provided with regards to the May 2006 NRA.

• The NRA solicitation is released by NASA Headquarters; however, all of the technical work will be defined and managed at the Centers by project teams within each of the four program areas (Fundamental Aeronautics, Aviation Safety, Airspace Systems, and the Aeronautics Test Program). The NRA awards will originate from the Centers.
• Within the NRA, there are four appendices containing technical details by Program and Project. These reference documents contain technical plans and milestones for the Projects listed in the NRA.
• Competition for NRA awards is full and open.
• Participation is open to all categories of organizations, including educational institutions, industry, and non-profit organizations.
• The NRA synopsis posted May 1, 2006, is available at the NAIS.
• A questions and answers document is posted at ARMD NRA NSPIRES to help provide additional information about the ARMD NRA process. Look under "Other Documents."
• The NRA is open for one year and ARMD expects to amend it as needed to add additional topics during this period.
• Offerors can submit proposals via NSPIRES or grants.gov. Details are provided in the NRA.

Because we want to ensure fair and equal consideration of each proposal submitted to the competitive ROA NRA, we are taking extra care in addressing any potential conflict-of-interest issues. This introduces a bit of a delay, in large part because of the sheer number of proposals received and numerous reviewers/evaluators (particularly those stationed outside of NASA) who must be cross-checked before they are allowed access to the proposals. However, we think that it is important to execute this step.

In order to ensure that we do not compromise the integrity of the technical reviews in order to meet our schedule, we have decided to extend the schedule by four (4) weeks. We now anticipate that proposals will be reviewed by the beginning of September rather than the beginning of August, and that offerors will be informed as to whether their proposals were rated as selectable for award by mid-September 2006.

The awards themselves are contingent upon successful negotiations between the Government and potential awardees, but we anticipate that the majority of awards will be made in October.

+ NRA Technical Plans