Apr 25 2011
From The Space Library
RELEASE: 11-123 NASA AND USAID PLEDGE TO ADVANCE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
WASHINGTON -- NASA and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have agreed to expand their joint efforts to overcome international development challenges such as food security, climate change, and energy and environmental management. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah signed a five-year memorandum of understanding on Monday, April 25, at NASA Headquarters. The agreement formalizes ongoing agency collaborations that use Earth science data to address developmental challenges, and to assist in disaster mitigation and humanitarian responses. The agreement also encourages NASA and USAID to apply geospatial technologies to solve development challenges affecting the United States and developing countries. "Technologies for NASA missions have long improved life here on Earth. Together with USAID, we'll meet even more sustainable development challenges here on the ground, solving problems for the world community," Bolden said. "As we explore space, we'll also be exploring solutions to important health, nutritional and safety challenges in developing countries." The agencies will continue collaborations to stimulate innovative science and technology solutions to international development challenges by using Earth science data, research results, computer models, visualization applications and remote-sensing techniques. USAID is the lead federal development agency implementing U.S. development efforts through field-based programs and projects around the world. NASA has broad experience with Earth science research, development of Earth science information products, and technology applications. "Through our partnership with NASA, we can apply the latest, cutting-edge technology to deliver meaningful results for people in developing countries in areas like health, food security and water," Shah said. "It's a prime example of our efforts to use the power of science and technology to tackle today's pressing development challenges." Since 2003, NASA and USAID have worked together building and expanding the SERVIR program. The program allows people in developing regions to use Earth observations for addressing challenges in agriculture, biodiversity conservation, climate change, disaster response, weather forecasting, and energy and health issues. SERVIR integrates satellite observations, ground-based data and forecast models to monitor and forecast environmental changes and improving response to natural disasters in Central America, the Caribbean, East Africa and the Himalayan region of Asia. The agencies also collaborate on the LAUNCH program, which supports science and technology innovators in the non-profit and private sectors. The program's goal is improving innovations to achieve greater impact on sustainability issues. NASA, USAID, the Department of State and Nike formed LAUNCH to identify, showcase and support innovative approaches to global challenges through a series of forums. The agencies have agreed to explore how efforts promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics education can be advanced through joint support of programs such as Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE). GLOBE is a worldwide primary and secondary school-based science and education program funded by NASA and other U.S. agencies.
CONTRACT RELEASE: C11-021 NASA EXTENDS JOHNSON SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE CONTRACT HOUSTON --
NASA extended its contract with Science Applications International Corp. of Houston to provide support for safety and mission assurance activities at the Johnson Space Center. The extension is for one year with two additional six-month options for a total value of $73.8 million. The Safety and Mission Assurance Support Services contract helps ensure safety, reliability, maintainability and quality including the International Space Station and Space Shuttle Programs and all other programs and projects at Johnson. This cost-plus-award-fee extension continues services from May 1, 2011, through April 30, 2012. Including this extension, the total value of the contract is $356 million. The extension also outlines two additional options for extending the contract through Oct. 31, 2012, and April 30, 2013. Work under the contract will be performed at Johnson in Houston, Kennedy Space Center in Florida and White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico. Significant subcontractors include ARES Corp. of Houston; Engle Technologies of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Florida International University, Miami; Futron Corp. of Bethesda, Md.; GHG of Houston; J&P Technologies of Houston; JES Tech of Houston, and Millennium Engineering and Integration Co. of Arlington, Va.
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