DEADLINE: 22ND DECEMBER, 2025
NATIONAL SPACE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (NASRDA)
OBASANJO SPACE CENTRE
KM 17, UMARU MUSA YAR’ADUA EXPRESSWAY (AIRPORT ROAD), ABUJA, NIGERIA
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR DESIGN, BUILD, LAUNCH AND EARLY-ORBIT TESTING OF SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR (SAR) SATELLITE, OPTICAL SATELLITE, AND DEVELOPMENT OF A STATE-OF-THE-ART MODULAR SATELLITE ASSEMBLY, INTEGRATION, AND TESTING (AIT) FACILITY
INTRODUCTION
The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), under the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, hereby invites qualified and technically experienced international firms, consortia, space agencies, and space industry partners to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for potential collaboration on the design, manufacture, launch and early-orbit testing of an Ultra-High-Resolution Optical Earth Observation (EO) satellite, a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, and a Modular Satellite Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) facility to support end-to-end development of small to medium-sized satellites.
This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s National Space Policy and NASRDA’s Strategic Roadmap, aimed at strengthening indigenous space capabilities, supporting national development priorities (including but not limited to agriculture, disaster management, security, climate monitoring, and broadband connectivity), and fostering international cooperation in Space Science and Technology.
LOT No: DESCRIPTION SCOPE LOT 1: Design, build, launch and early-orbit testing of a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Earth Observation Optical Satellite. To design, build, test, launch and early-orbit operations of high-performance optical satellites capable of acquiring ultra-high-resolution multispectral and panchromatic Earth observation data. Supports autonomous mission operations, offer multiple imaging modes and be fully compatible with NASRDA’s existing or planned ground segment infrastructure. i. Design and build of an ultra-high resolution multispectral and panchromatic imager payload. ii. High resolution hyperspectral imager and onboard Automatic Identification System (AIS). iii. Microsatellite – Minisatellite class bus system. iv. Designed for a minimum of 7 years in Sun-synchronous orbit. v. High-speed onboard data bus integrated with high performance data handling, processing, and storage subsystem. vi. Deployable solar panels for peak power tracking and generation. vii. Radiation shielding and mitigation features for long-term system reliability. viii. Onboard Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) capabilities. ix. Modular architecture to support streamlined subsystem integration and replacement. x. Ground segment design (mission control, AI data processing, user terminals). LOT 2 Design, build, launch and early-orbit testing of a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Satellite. To design, build, test, launch and early-orbit operations of a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite capable of capturing very high-resolution SAR imagery under all weather and lighting conditions. Supports autonomous mission operations, offer multiple imaging modes and be fully compatible with NASRDA’s existing or planned ground segment infrastructure. i. Microsatellite to minisatellite-class bus system. ii. Mission lifetime: Minimum of 7 years in Sun-synchronous orbit. iii. Large onboard data handling and processing system, including High-Speed Data Recorder. iv. Deployable solar panels optimized for peak power tracking and generation. v. Modular architecture in command, telemetry, and data handling systems to enhance reliability. vi. Radiation shielding and hardening for critical subsystems to ensure mission longevity. vii. Autonomous health monitoring and fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) mechanisms. viii. Ground station development, mission control integration, AI image processing and data analytics system setup. ix. Integrated Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver. Design, construction, and commission a state-of-the-art Modular Satellite Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) Facility. To design, construct, and commission a state-of-the-art Modular Satellite Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) Center with international standards, including ISO 14644-1 (cleanroom standards) and ECSS (European Cooperation for Space Standardization) guidelines. i. Cleanroom Facilities: ISO 14644-1 Class 7 or better cleanrooms for satellite assembly and integration. ii. Testing Facilities for thermal vacuum, vibration, acoustic, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing. iii. Modular Design of configurable workspaces to accommodate various satellite sizes. iv. Dedicated zones for subsystem integration, payload integration, and final assembly. v. Support Infrastructure: Power systems, HVAC, electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, and data management systems. LOT 3: vi. Safety Systems: Fire suppression, emergency evacuation systems, and hazardous material handling protocols.
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Interested contractors, suppliers and service providers are required to submit the following documents:
I. Evidence of certificate of incorporation issued by corporate affairs commission (CAC) including form CAC 1.1 or CAC2 and CAC7 (for Nigerian bidders) or equivalent registration for foreign firms;
II. Evidence of company’s income tax clearance certificate for the last three years (2022, 2023, 2024) valid till 31st December, 2025 (for Nigerian bidders);
III. For foreign bidders, evidence of tax compliance or exemption in their country of origin;
IV. Evidence of pension clearance certificate valid till 31st December, 2025 (this requirement is only applicable to Nigerian bidders whose number of staff is 15 and above);
V. Evidence of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) compliance certificate valid till 31st December, 2025 (this requirement is only applicable to Nigerian bidders whose number of staff is 5 and above or the bidder’s annual turnover is ₦50M and above);
VI. Evidence of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) clearance certificate valid till 31st December, 2025 (for Nigerian bidders);
VII. Evidence of registration on the national database of federal contractors, consultants and service providers by submission of Interim Registration Report (IRR) expiring on 31st December, 2025 or valid certificate issued by BPP (for Nigerian bidders);
VIII. Sworn affidavit disclosing whether any officer of the relevant committees of the National Space Research and Development Agency or the Bureau of Public Procurement is a former or present director, shareholder or has any pecuniary interest in the bidder and to confirm that all information presented in its bid are true and correct in all particulars;
IX. Comprehensive company’s profile with the curriculum vitae of key staff to be deployed for the project, including copies of their academic/professional qualifications such as COREN, QSRBN, ARCON, CORBON etc. Or its foreign equivalent;
X. List of plants/equipment with proof of ownership/lease;
XI. Evidence of financial capability to execute the project – including bank reference letter or credit facility guarantee from a reputable commercial bank;
XII. Company’s audited accounts for the last three (3) years (2022, 2023, 2024) duly signed and stamped by certified auditors;
XIII. Evidence of capacity to mobilize skilled international and local manpower where required. Local Nigerian content and partnerships will be favorably considered;
XIV. For joint venture/partnership, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) should be provided (CAC, tax clearance certificate, pension compliance certificate, ITF compliance certificate, NSITF compliance certificate, IRR & sworn affidavit where applicable are compulsory for each JV partner);
All documents for submission must be transmitted with a covering/forwarding letter under the company/firm’s letterhead paper bearing amongst others, the registration number (RC) as issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) or the foreign equivalent, contact address, telephone number and e-mail address. The letterhead paper must bear the names and nationalities of the directors of the company at the bottom of the page, duly signed by the authorized officer of the firm.
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA
To be considered, vendors must meet the following requirements:
LOT 1 LOT 2 LOT 3
a) Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the design, development and deployment of a microsatellite or minisatellite. a) Minimum of seven (7) years experience in SAR satellite systems. a) Proven experience in the design and successful development of a functional AIT facility, preferably within the last 7 years.
b) Financial and technical capacity to execute complex, multi-year space projects. b) Financial and technical capacity to execute complex, multi-year space projects. b) Financial and technical capacity to execute complex, multi-year space projects.
c) At least five (5) or more successfully delivered operational satellite missions in LEO. c) Heritage in SAR development and deployment. c) Quality assurance certification, such as ISO 9001 or equivalent, demonstrating compliance with international standards.
d) Heritage in optical satellite development and deployment. d) At least five (5) successful SAR missions delivered to LEO. d) Compliance with Nigerian laws.
e) Quality assurance certification, such as ISO 9001 or equivalent, demonstrating compliance with international standards. e) Quality assurance certification, such as ISO 9001 or equivalent, demonstrating compliance with international standards. e) Legal capacity to export and or import technology, where applicable.
f) Proven technical team comprising of qualified engineering, system integration, and project management personnel. f) Legal capacity to export and or import satellite technology, where applicable.
g) Demonstrated legal capacity to export, import, or transfer satellite technology across jurisdictions (subject to applicable regulations). g) Compliance with Nigerian laws, and UN Space Treaties
h) Compliance with Nigerian laws, and UN Space Treaties.
SUBMISSION DETAILS
All proposals must be submitted both electronically and in hardcopy.
Interested firms are to submit two (2) bound copies of the Expression of Interest (EOI) documents separated by dividers and arranged as indicated above. The documents should be submitted in a sealed envelope and addressed to Director General/Chief Executive, National Space Research and Development Agency, KM 17 Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Expressway (Airport Road), Abuja, and clearly marked with the name of the project and Lot number. Furthermore, the reverse of each sealed envelope should bear the name and address of the bidder and dropped in the designated tender box in the office of the Director, Procurement, NASRDA Headquarters, Abuja not later than 12:00 noon of Monday 22nd December, 2025.
In addition, an electronic copy of the submission should be sent to the email below: eos.project@nasrda.gov.ng
OPENING OF EOI
The EOI will be opened immediately after the deadlines for submission at 12:00 noon on Monday 22nd December, 2025 at the Prof. Boroffice Ajayi Conference Hall, NASRDA Headquarters, Abuja; please ensure that you sign the bid submission register in the office of the Director, Procurement, Ground Floor, Admin Building, NASRDA Headquarters, Abuja, as the Agency will not be held liable for misplaced or wrongly submitted bids.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
I. Bids must be in English language and signed by an official authorised by the bidder;
II. Bids submitted after the deadline for submission would be returned un-opened;
III. No bidder should bid for more than two (2) lots overall;
IV. The EOI/bid opening will be carried out in the presence of two (2) representatives of private sector professional bodies and civil society organization in the areas of anti-corruption/transparency;
V. The agency reserves the right to authenticate all claims made by any contractor in its submission;
VI. Failure to provide any information required shall lead to instant disqualification;
VII. Submission of expression of interest should not be construed as a commitment on the part of the agency;
VIII. It shall not entitle any contractor to make any claims whatsoever or seek any remedy/indemnity from the agency by virtue of such company having responded to the advertisement;
IX. Only shortlisted bidders at the eoi evaluation will be contacted at a later date for collection of request for proposals.
DISCLAIMER
The National Space Research and Development Agency will not be responsible for any cost or expenses incurred by any interested party in connection with any response to this invitation. The Agency is not bound to shortlist/pre-qualify any bidder and reserves the right to annul the procurement process at any time without incurring any liabilities in accordance with section 28 of the Public Procurement Act (PPA), 2007.
SIGNED:
DIRECTOR GENERAL/CHIEF EXECUTIVE
NATIONAL SPACE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
OBASANJO SPACE CENTRE
KM 17, UMARU MUSA YAR’ADUA EXPRESSWAY (AIRPORT ROAD), ABUJA, NIGERIA.
