NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center has awarded a contract to L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, L.P., of Waco, Texas, for continued developmental and engineering work on the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA).
The cost-plus-award-fee contract could be worth up to $26 million over a fiveyear period if all options are exercised. The contract takes effect Feb. 9, 2007, with a 23-month base period extending through Dec. 31, 2008. Three oneyear option periods could extend the agreement from Jan. 1, 2009 through Dec. 31, 2011.
The tasks that remain for completion of the SOFIA airborne observatory platform involve two major parts: the airborne system and the cavity door drive system. L-3 Communications will be responsible for completing development and testing of the airborne system, including modification, fabrication, installation, integration, and verification of various systems to meet SOFIA mission requirements. In addition, L-3 is also tasked with providing engineering support and technical representation to NASA, as necessary, to support the transition from development to operations.
NASA's newly painted Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy 747SP. (Click image to enlarge)
