Dual Use Technology Development Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) 2019 | 80SSC018Z0001

Opportunity Information: Apply for 80SSC018Z0001

The Dual Use Technology Development Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) 2019 is a NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC) funding opportunity designed to support science and technology research and development efforts that have clear value to both government and non-government users. SSC, located at the John C. Stennis Space Center, is NASA's primary rocket propulsion testing hub, and the program context reflects that mission: the center routinely tests everything from complete multi-engine propulsion stages down to individual rocket engine components. Because SSC serves a broad customer base, including NASA programs, the U.S. Department of Defense, and commercial space launch providers, the "dual use" framing emphasizes technologies that can be developed in ways that benefit multiple sectors and operational environments rather than being limited to a single narrowly defined mission.

The opportunity is offered as a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement, meaning NASA expects substantial involvement during the project rather than providing a hands-off grant. In practical terms, cooperative agreements are often used when the agency anticipates technical collaboration, access to government facilities, shared testing resources, or iterative coordination throughout development and demonstration activities. This structure aligns with SSC's capabilities and operational model, since the center is built around complex test operations, engineering support, and integration across multiple organizations on-site.

From a technical perspective, the notice is anchored in the unique assets SSC brings to development and testing. SSC manages a large federal complex that hosts more than forty federal, state, university, and industry entities, which creates a built-in ecosystem for partnership, prototyping, and transition of technology into operational use. In addition to propulsion testing infrastructure, SSC controls restricted airspace that can be used for the development, testing, and operation of unmanned aerial vehicles, an enabling resource for aviation and autonomy-related projects that require a controlled test environment. The notice also highlights SSC engineering laboratories that design and test electronics, sensors, algorithms, and mechanical components. Taken together, these details suggest the CAN is meant to stimulate technology maturation where SSC facilities, expertise, or test ranges can provide a real advantage, particularly for hardware-heavy or test-intensive projects.

Eligibility under this opportunity includes small businesses as well as for-profit organizations other than small businesses, indicating NASA is open to partnering with industry across a range of company sizes. The funding activity category is listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and the CFDA number associated with it is 43.003, which corresponds to NASA's broader research and development assistance framework. The opportunity is administered by NASA Stennis Space Center, with a funding opportunity number of 80SSC018Z0001. The original closing date listed is September 30, 2019, and while the source data does not provide an award ceiling or an expected number of awards, the cooperative agreement format and SSC-centric resources imply a focus on projects where measurable progress can be achieved through coordinated development and testing, potentially leveraging SSC infrastructure, expertise, and controlled operational environments.

Overall, this CAN can be understood as a mechanism for NASA SSC to work directly with industry on technology development that is broadly applicable, testable in SSC's facilities or airspace, and relevant to propulsion test operations, advanced components, sensing and electronics, autonomy and algorithms, and other mechanical or systems technologies that serve both civil space objectives and wider defense or commercial applications.

• The NASA Stennis Space Center in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Dual Use Technology Development Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) 2019" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.003.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-10-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-09-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

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