NASA Selects Safety Support Contract At Wallops Flight Facility

Dwayne Brown

Headquarters, Washington

202-358-1726

dwayne.c.brown@nasa.gov

 

Keith Koehler

Wallops Flight Facility, Va.

757-824-1579

keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov

 

WASHINGTON -- NASA has awarded a contract to Millennium Engineering and Integration Company of Arlington, Va., to provide range and institutional safety support at the agency's Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Va. The five-year contract is worth as much as $25 million.

Institutional safety ensures compliance with NASA and Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards related to the operations and construction of new or modified facilities and complex systems. This includes, but is not limited to, fire protection, industrial hygiene, pressure systems, explosives, lifting devices, and emergency preparedness.

Wallops is home to NASA's sounding rockets program office, balloon program office, and aircraft office. The Wallops Research Range provides support to these organizations and other NASA programs, federal agencies, commercial entities and academia. Missions are executed at Wallops and locations around the world.

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit http://www.nasa.gov.

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NASA Exercises Third Facility Operations Contract Term Period

Sonja Alexander

Headquarters, Washington     

202-358-1761

sonja.r.alexander@nasa.gov

 

Rebecca Strecker

Stennis Space Center, Bay St. Louis, Miss.

228-688-3249

rebecca.a.strecker@nasa.gov

 

WASHINGTON -- NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi has exercised award term Period 3 of its Facility Operating Services Contract (FOSC) with Jacobs Technology Inc. of Tullahoma, Tenn. The FOSC provides a broad range of services to support NASA missions and more than 30 resident agencies sharing and using Stennis facilities and services.

This cost-plus-incentive fee award term is valued at $51.8 million. It is the third of seven award term periods following the three-year base period.

The services provided under this contract include administration, facility engineering, food, mail, fire protection, custodial, multimedia, public affairs and education. It also covers facility maintenance and operations; safety, quality and environmental assurance; medical and occupational health; and logistics and transportation.

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit http://www.nasa.gov.

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NASA Administrator Announces New Commercial Crew And Cargo Milestones

David Weaver

Headquarters, Washington     

202-358-1600

david.s.weaver@nasa.gov

 

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA Administrator Charles Bolden announced Thursday new milestones in the nation's commercial space initiatives from the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The latest advances made by NASA's commercial space partners pave the way for the first contracted flight of cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) this fall and mark progress toward a launch of astronauts from U.S. soil in the next 5 years.

Bolden announced Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has completed its Space Act Agreement with NASA for Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS). SpaceX is scheduled to launch the first of its 12 contracted cargo flights to the space station from Cape Canaveral in October, under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services Program.

"We're working to open a new frontier for commercial opportunities in space and create job opportunities right here in Florida and across the United States," Bolden said. "And we’re working to in-source the work that is currently being done elsewhere and bring it right back here to the U.S. where it belongs."

Through the COTS program, NASA provides investments to stimulate the American commercial space industry. As part of its COTS partnership, SpaceX became the first commercial company to resupply the space station in May, successfully launching its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft to the orbiting complex. During the historic mission, the Dragon was captured by astronauts using the station's robot arm, unloaded and safely returned to Earth carrying experiments conducted aboard ISS. Later this winter, Orbital Sciences Corp. plans to carry out its first test flight under COTS.

Bolden also announced NASA partner Sierra Nevada Corp. has conducted its first milestone under the agency's recently announced Commercial Crew integrated Capability (CCiCap) initiative. The milestone, a program implementation plan review, marks an important first step in Sierra Nevada's efforts to develop a crew transportation system with its Dream Chaser spacecraft.

CCiCap is an initiative of NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP) and an Obama administration priority. The objective of the CCP is to facilitate the development of a U.S. commercial crew space transportation capability with the goal of achieving safe, reliable and cost-effective access to and from the space station and low Earth orbit. After the capability is matured, it is expected to be available to the government and other customers. NASA could contract to purchase commercial services to meet its station crew transportation needs later this decade.

While NASA works with U.S. industry partners to develop commercial spaceflight capabilities, the agency also is developing the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System (SLS), a crew capsule and heavy-lift rocket to provide an entirely new capability for human exploration. Designed to be flexible for launching spacecraft for crew and cargo missions, SLS and Orion will expand human presence beyond low Earth orbit and enable new missions of exploration across the solar system.

For more information about NASA's commercial space initiatives and programs, visit http://www.nasa.gov/commercial.

For more information about the present and future of American human spaceflight, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration.

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NASA Selects Architect And Engineer Services Contracts

Sonja Alexander

Headquarters, Washington

202-358-1761

sonja.r.alexander@nasa.gov

 

Rebecca Strecker

Stennis Space Center, Bay St. Louis, Miss.

228-688-3249

rebecca.a.strecker@nasa.gov  

 

BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. -- NASA has selected S&B Infrastructure Ltd. of Houston and CDM-CH2M Hill JV of Fairfax, Va., to provide architect and engineer services under indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity, multiple-award contracts at the agency's Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss.

The awarded contracts will have a five-year ordering period from the date of award, with the total amount of all task orders under all contracts awarded not to exceed $45 million.

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit http://www.nasa.gov.

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NASA Goes Green: NASA Selects Green Propellant Technology Demonstration Mission

David E. Steitz

Headquarters, Washington

202-358-1730

david.steitz@nasa.gov

WASHINGTON -- NASA has selected a team led by Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation of Boulder, Colo., for a technology demonstration of a high performance "green" propellant alternative to the highly toxic fuel hydrazine. With this award, NASA opens a new era of innovative and non-toxic green fuels that are less harmful to our environment, have fewer operational hazards, and decrease the complexity and cost of launch processing.

Today's use of hydrazine fuel for rockets, satellites and spacecraft is pervasive. Hydrazine is an efficient propellant and can be stored for long periods of time, but it also is highly corrosive and toxic. NASA is seeking new, non-toxic high performance green propellants that could be safely and widely used by rocketeers, ranging from government to industry and academia. Green propellants include liquid, solid, mono- propellant, which use one fuel source, or bi-propellants, which use two, and hybrids that offer safer handling conditions and lower environmental impact than current fuels.

"High performance green propellant has the potential to revolutionize how we travel to, from and in space," said Michael Gazarik, director of NASA's Space Technology Program at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "An effective green rocket fuel would dramatically reduce the cost and time for preparing and launching space missions while decreasing pollution and harm to our environment."

Following a solicitation and peer-review selection process, NASA chose the Green Propellant Infusion Mission proposal and a team lead by Ball and co-investigators from the Aerojet Corporation in Redmond, Washington, the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center at the Kirkland Air Force Base in New Mexico, NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the new mission.

NASA's Green Propellant Infusion Mission is expected to be developed and flown in approximately three years. The Space Technology Program will provide $45 million for the mission, with some additional cost-sharing by mission co-investigators.

This demonstration will bridge the gap between technology development and use of green propellant. The team will develop and fly a high performance green propellant, demonstrating and characterizing in space the functionality of the integrated propulsion system. Such a demonstration will provide the aerospace community with a new system-level capability for future missions.

Maturing a space technology, such as a revolutionary green propellant, to mission readiness through relevant environment testing and demonstration is a significant challenge from a cost, schedule and risk perspective. NASA's Technology Demonstration Missions Program performs this function, bridging the gap between laboratory confirmation of a technology and its inital use on an operational mission.

The Technology Demonstration Missions Program is part of the Space Technology Program, which is innovating, developing, testing and flying hardware for use in NASA's future science and exploration missions.

For more information about NASA's Space Technology Program and Technology Demonstration Missions, visit http://www.nasa.gov/oct.

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Here Comes the Sun: NASA Picks Solar Array System Development Proposals

David E. Steitz

Headquarters, Washington

202-358-1730

david.steitz@nasa.gov

 

Chris Rink

Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.

757-864-6786

chris.rink@nasa.gov

WASHINGTON -- NASA's Space Technology Program has selected Deployable Space Systems (DSS) of Goleta, Calif. and ATK Space Systems Inc., of Commerce, Calif., for contract negotiation to develop advanced solar array systems. High-power solar electric propulsion, where the power is generated with advanced solar array systems, is a key capability required for extending human presence throughout the solar system.

The selected proposals offer innovative approaches to the development of next-generation, large-scale solar arrays and associated deployment mechanisms. These advanced solar arrays will drastically reduce weight and stowed volume when compared to current systems. They also will significantly improve efficiency and functionality of future systems that will produce hundreds of kilowatts of power. These advanced solar arrays could be used in future NASA human exploration and science missions, communications satellites and a majority of other future spacecraft applications.

"The technology embodied in these proposals will greatly advance the boundaries of NASA's science and exploration capabilities," said Michael Gazarik, director of NASA's Space Technology Program at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "Our investment in this technology acknowledges that this technology is a priority for NASA's future missions, as reported recently by the National Research Council. Once matured through these ground tests, NASA hopes to test next generation solar array systems in space, opening the door for exploration of a near-Earth asteroid, Mars and beyond."

This solicitation involved a competitive selection process and covers two acquisition phases. Under Phase 1, Deployable Space Systems and ATK Space Systems will develop their solar array system technology during the next 18 months. With successful completion of Phase 1 the two companies, as well as other offerors who can demonstrate a comparable degree of technical maturity, will compete for a Phase 2 award to demonstrate their technologies in space. The intent of Phase 2 is to prove flight readiness through an in-space demonstration of an advanced, modular and extendable solar array system.

During Phase 1, Deployable Space Systems and ATK Space Systems also will design, analyze and test a scalable solar array system capable of generating more than 30kW of Power. In addition, the Phase 1 teams will identify the most critical technological risks of extending their concept to 250kW or greater power levels.

Phase 1 awards range between approximately $5 million and $7 million. NASA's Game Changing Development Program Office, located at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., sponsored this solicitation under Phase 1. NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland will manage the awarded contracts for the agency's Space Technology Program.

NASA's Space Technology Program is innovating, developing, testing, and flying hardware for use in NASA's future science and exploration missions. NASA's technology investments provide cutting-edge solutions for our nation's future.

For information about NASA's Game Changing Development Program, visit http://go.usa.gov/RPS.

For more information about NASA's Space Technology Program, visit http://www.nasa.gov/oct.

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NASA Selects Contract For Employee Relocation Services

Sonja Alexander

Headquarters, Washington     

202-358-1761

sonja.r.alexander@nasa.gov

 

Doug LeMere

NASA Shared Services Center, Bay St. Louis, Miss.

228-813-6617

douglas.m.lemere@nasa.gov

 

WASHINGTON -- NASA has selected Franconia Real Estate Services of Woodbridge, Va., for agency-wide employee relocation services effective Oct. 1.

The firm-fixed price Blanket Purchase Agreement with delivery/task orders includes a one-year base period with four, one-year options. The maximum value of the Blanket Purchase Agreement (base plus options) is approximately $35 million.

The contractor also will provide home marketing assistance, counseling, destination area services and property management for NASA employees who are relocating. Relocation services are available at all NASA centers and associated facilities.

The contract will be managed by the NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC) located near Bay St. Louis, Miss.

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit http://www.nasa.gov.

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NASA Uses Technology, Engineering, And Aerospace Mission Support Contract Option

Sonja Alexander

Headquarters, Washington     

202-358-1761

sonja.r.alexander@nasa.gov

 

Rob Wyman

Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.,

757-864-6120

robert.d.wyman@nasa.gov

 

HAMPTON, Va. -- NASA has elected to exercise the first option of the Technology, Engineering and Aerospace Mission Support contract (TEAMS 2) that was awarded to Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. of Hampton, Va., on Feb. 22. The contracted work will be performed at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton.

The option is valued at almost $42.2 million. The total value of this cost-plus award-fee with indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract is approximately $328 million.

The TEAMS 2 contract will provide engineering services to support research and technology development to meet evolving NASA mission objectives. Work requirements include support of scientific research; engineering design, analysis, and development; and technology readiness level advancement associated with evolving NASA missions. Additional work includes implementation of technology programs; test implementation and operations; systems analysis and conceptual design; and program/project management support.

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit http://www.nasa.gov.

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NASA Selects Strategic Analysis and Communications Support Services Contract

Sonja Alexander

Headquarters, Washington                                   

202-358-1761

sonja.r.alexander@nasa.gov

 

Angela Storey

Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.     

256-544-0034

angela.d.storey@nasa.gov

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- NASA has selected Analytical Services Inc. (ASI) of Huntsville, Ala., to provide strategic research and analysis and communications support services at the agency's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.

The firm-fixed-price contract begins Oct. 1, 2012 with a one-year base period, followed by four, one-year options and one, six-month option that may be exercised at NASA's discretion. The performance period, including all options, has a maximum contract value of $51.6 million, which includes a maximum potential indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity value of $19.25 million.

Under the contract, ASI will be responsible for providing strategic research and analysis, communication planning, and communications services and product development and delivery.

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit http://www.nasa.gov.

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NASA Signs Agreement with Craig Technologies for Kennedy's Unique Equipment

Josh Buck

Headquarters, Washington   

202-358-1100

jbuck@nasa.gov

 

Michael Curie

Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

321-867-2468

michael.curie@nasa.gov

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA has signed a new partnership with Craig Technologies of Melbourne, Fla., to maintain an inventory of unique processing and manufacturing equipment for future mission support at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Under a five-year, non-reimbursable Space Act Agreement, NASA will loan 1,600 pieces of equipment to Craig Technologies. The equipment supported Space Shuttle Program capabilities such as flight hardware and cable fabrication. It was used in manufacturing, repair and inspection processes necessary for spaceflight hardware, avionics and ground processing.

"This is an innovative way to ensure that space shuttle era technology and tools are reused for other hi-tech, private sector purposes along the Space Coast," said David Weaver, NASA's associate administrator for the Office of Communications."This is all part of NASA's plan to support the transition to the next era of exploration, creating good-paying American jobs and keeping the United States the world leader in space."

Craig Technologies will be able to use the equipment for five years beginning January 2013 or until NASA requires use of it, whichever comes first. Craig will be required to operate, maintain and store the property at a single location within a 50-mile radius of Kennedy.

"Kennedy continues to work with the commercial community to find inventive ways to share our unique capabilities," said Joyce Riquelme, manager of the Kennedy Center Planning and Development Office. "This partnership benefits new customers who will use the equipment now, and keeps it close for our use in future spaceflight projects."

The equipment currently is located in the NASA Shuttle Logistics Depot in Cape Canaveral, Fla., and managed by United Space Alliance (USA). The equipment will remain there through the end of the year when the current USA lease expires.

For more information about Kennedy, visit http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy.

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