IMO, yea the multi-approach to getting to certification shows they want to get this done ASAP. Sheryle did mention during Q & A that an acquisition would take about 120 days to fully take over the company (she referred to as the transition). She also mentioned that they are ready now to take on the transition. So, we have a timeline of receiving certification by March 2018, or sooner to already be generating revenues through the acquisition.

Reading a break-down of a LOI, NDAs are normally a piece of it. So if they announced the NDA, its a step towards the LOI:

http://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/letterofintent.asp

Agreed, to take the step of agreeing to the NDA, means they have to have something to agree to an NDA about.

IMO