CONTRACT RELEASE: C06-017
NASA EXTENDS CREW EXPLORATION VEHICLE CONTRACTS
NASA has authorized contract extensions for development of the
agency's new Crew Exploration Vehicle.
The companies, Lockheed Martin Corp., and a team of Northrop Grumman
Systems Corp., and The Boeing Co., were selected as CEV Phase 1
contractors in June 2005. They have been working with NASA to define
requirements and develop conceptual designs for the agency's
next-generation vehicle for human space flight.
The estimated maximum total value for each Phase 1 contract, including
the extension to Aug. 31 and the optional extension periods, is
approximately $60 million for each contractor. The approximate value
of the basic extension period from March 31 to Aug. 31 is $17.5
million for each contractor; the approximate value of each two-month
option is $7 million.
One of the Phase 1 contractors will be selected as the Phase 2 prime
contractor to design, develop, test, evaluate and produce the CEV.
Although the new contract authorizations include options that could
extend the Phase 1 work until December, NASA expects to select the
Phase 2 prime contractor by August.
The new contract extends Phase 1 work from March 31 until Aug. 31 and
adds options for a pair of two-month extensions for each contractor.
The first two-month option would extend Phase 1 work to Oct. 31,
2006. The second two-month option would extend Phase 1 work to Dec.
31. 2006.
The new spacecraft is expected to carry up to six astronauts into
Earth orbit soon after the space shuttle is retired in 2010 and then
on to the moon by 2018. The Crew Exploration Vehicle is a key element
of the Vision for Space Exploration, which returns human explorers to
the moon, Mars, and beyond.
At least they are keeping the publicity up, although they really should make these media releases more media and public friendly, with quotes.
I'm having trouble understanding what this means. The two competing teams have an extension to work on their proposals?
hyper_snyper - 27/3/2006 4:46 PMI'm having trouble understanding what this means. The two competing teams have an extension to work on their proposals?
No, they continue working on phase 1 while doing their proposals for phase 2
So NASA selects an official contractor by August 31st, 2006. Unless one or both contractors opts for a two (or four) month extension. Conceivably, Phase 2 selection could be pushed all the way to NET January 1st, 2007. Am I reading this correctly?
Spacely - 27/3/2006 5:38 PMSo NASA selects an official contractor by August 31st, 2006. Unless one or both contractors opts for a two (or four) month extension. Conceivably, Phase 2 selection could be pushed all the way to NET January 1st, 2007. Am I reading this correctly?
Nope, If NASA delays the selection of contractor for phase 2, then it (NASA) can choose extend phase 1 by increments.