NASA is tightening the orbit on its next headquarters, renewing its hunt squarely within Washington, D.C., and scrapping an earlier call for proposals in favor of a fresh solicitation. The space agency still runs its HQ from 300 E Street Southwest, occupying about 450,000 rentable square feet, and is steering toward the end of its current lease in August 2028. The new request kicks off the next formal phase of a multi-year effort to land in space that better fits modern work patterns and public outreach.
According to the Washington Business Journal, NASA issued the revamped solicitation this month to replace one it released last year. A mid-July procurement posting on the federal contracting portal confirms the agency’s roughly 450,000 RSF footprint at 300 E Street SW and notes the August 2028 lease expiration, details that appear on SAM.gov.
What NASA Wants In A New HQ
NASA’s planning documents call for between 375,000 and 525,000 square feet, a spot within walking distance of a Metro station, flexible collaboration zones, and dedicated space suitable for STEM outreach. Those requirements were laid out in the agency’s public planning notice and now help shape the evaluation criteria for the new AFP, according to NASA.
Procurement Steps And Timeline
Procurement summaries show that the Announcement for Proposal (AFP_NASA_HQ_2026_0001) went live in mid-July, giving prospective landlords and sellers until Aug. 28 to submit offers. The filing is posted on federal contracting sites and is summarized on GovTribe.
The AFP allows both lease and purchase options, giving building owners a bit of flexibility as they vie for a marquee federal tenant. Proposers are instructed to send in offers and arrange building tours through NASA’s real estate office.
Why It Matters For D.C.'s Office Market
Keeping NASA’s headquarters within the District would safeguard thousands of federal jobs in the downtown office core and keep the agency within quick reach of Capitol Hill and key federal partners. Local coverage has flagged a broader trend of agencies consolidating in downtown D.C., including recent moves by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which landlords and developers say could reshape demand, as detailed in Feds Flee Bethesda.
What Comes Next
Over the coming months, NASA will sort through proposals with an eye on moving in before its 2028 lease runs out, weighing cost, security, and transit access in whatever site ultimately makes the cut. For now, the agency’s AFP on SAM.gov and its planning notice on NASA.gov remain the main public records laying out the criteria, deadlines, and contacts for would-be hosts.
