NASA Selects ARES Technical Services for Wallops Flight Facility Launch Operations Support

According to a recent announcement from NASA, ARES Technical Services Corporation, based in McLean, Virginia, has been chosen to provide critical launch range operations support for the agency’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. This significant contract is anticipated to commence on February 10, with an initial one-year base period, and holds a total potential value of $339.8 million. If all four one-year option periods are exercised, the contract could extend through 2031.

The scope of work under the Wallops Range Contract is extensive, encompassing a wide array of services essential for safe and successful launches. This includes providing support for radar, telemetry, logistics, tracking, and communications for various flight vehicles. These operations will cover a range of missions, including orbital and suborbital rockets, aircraft, satellites, balloons, and unmanned aerial systems. Additionally, ARES Technical Services will be responsible for information and computer systems services, along with the testing, modification, and installation of communications and electronic systems. These systems are vital for launch facilities, launch control centers, and test facilities. The contract also includes range technology sustainment engineering services, ensuring the ongoing reliability of critical infrastructure.

The majority of the work will be conducted at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. However, the contract also outlines support at other key NASA locations, including the agency’s Bermuda Tracking Station and the Poker Flat Research Range in Alaska. The agreement allows for work at other temporary duty locations as needed, highlighting the geographically diverse nature of NASA’s launch and tracking operations. This contract is structured with a cost-plus-fixed-fee core component, combined with an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) element. This structure provides flexibility for NASA to issue cost-plus-fixed-fee or firm-fixed-price task orders as specific project needs arise.

The selection of ARES Technical Services Corporation underscores NASA’s commitment to maintaining robust launch capabilities at Wallops Flight Facility, a vital hub for both scientific research and commercial space endeavors. The services provided will be instrumental in supporting a continuous stream of missions, from scientific payloads to commercial satellite deployments.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from NASA

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