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Of Two NASA Facilities the World’S Largest Manufacturing Plants

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Of Two NASA Facilities the World’S Largest Manufacturing Plants with centralized administrative processing services such as laboratory testing, supply services. Federal, state, academic and private chain management, customized training organizations also make use of the available programs, lean six sigma consultation, and resources, off-setting the cost of owning and other production support activities. Currently, Centralized and operating the facility. Michoud manufactures and assembles SLS components, and manufactures large structures Michoud Assembly Facility Mission Overview for the Orion crew exploration vehicle. The Michoud Assembly Facility supports NASA’s Efficient Management exploration missions by providing expertise in The SACOM contract not only consolidated the the assembly and manufacture of large space management of activities across two separate systems and hardware. With 43 acres under NASA facilities in two separate states; it also one roof, the Michoud campus boasts one of required an administrative consolidation of three of Two NASA Facilities the world’s largest manufacturing plants. Other previously separate contracts. Before SACOM, SACOM: A Shared Vision to Support Unique Mission of the RS-25 engines that will power highlights of the campus include a working port the same scope of work had been managed under two operations and maintenance contracts Requirements NASA’s new Space Launch System with deep-water access and state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment, including automated and one contract focused exclusively on the ebruary 1, 2016 marked the first day of the NASA (SLS), in addition to performing tests for machining, automated fiber placement machines Stennis rocket testing requirements. Ensuring Synergy Achieving Consolidated Operations and commercial companies. F and friction stir welding. a smooth transition from three contracts to one Maintenance (SACOM) contract, a culmination of required extensive collaboration and discussion several years of effort by the Syncom Space Services “SLS is the next generation heavy-lift Like Stennis, Michoud houses a variety of between the customer and the contractor. (S3) joint venture team comprised of PAE and BWXT. rocket for human space exploration,” said occupants from commercial and government Under SACOM, the S3 team manages the operations Mike. “It will launch the Orion spacecraft, sectors that take advantage of many support and maintenance activities as well as the unique mission which will allow astronauts to travel into requirements of two NASA facilities: the Stennis Space deep space for an extended amount Center in Hancock County, Mississippi and the Michoud of time. Traveling to Mars is one of the Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana. explorations SLS will support.” It is a very exciting time to be part of “We do everything from cutting the grass to supporting Stennis is also host to NASA’s Shared space exploration history. advanced manufacturing and rocket engine testing,” said Services Center, which provides NASA S3 President and General Manager Mike Matteson. “We work closely with NASA to understand their needs and make recommendations for efficiencies and innovations “ that will save money over the life of the contract. The ultimate purpose is to support space flight systems that will enable NASA’s next phase of human space exploration.” ” Some services are integrated for the joint benefit and efficient management of both centers, while others are uniquely catered to the specific mission of each site, described below. Stennis Space Center Mission Overview Stennis Space Center is NASA’s primary rocket propulsion testing facility. With state-of-the-art facilities, a canal waterway system and a 125,000 acre acoustical PAE’s joint venture S3 buffer zone, the center provides propulsion test services provides consolidated for NASA, Department of Defense and the private sector. Through history, Stennis has flight-certified the Saturn services across state V rocket used for the Apollo program, the engines used lines at two NASA in all the space shuttle vehicles, and is now testing all facilities under the new 19 Q1 2016 | Inside PAE | Technical Services SACOM contract. Q1 2016 | Inside PAE | Technical Services 20 Preparation Smooths Transition In preparation for go-live, the “We have a highly talented Supporting Deep Space Exploration S3 management team initiated workforce,” said Mike “and “It is a very exciting time to be part of space significant transition and on day one, operations at exploration history,” said Mike. “Between both consolidation planning activities each site continued without facilities, we will support a major portion of the with the NASA customer and the any interruption or impact to work needed to prepare the SLS for deep space incumbent contractors who held the customer mission. NASA exploration. We will support the manufacturing of the three contracts under which received the engineering, test the lower stage of the SLS at Michoud and the the scope of work was previously and manufacturing services it testing of the engines at Stennis. The testing of RS- managed. required to continue its mission 25’s four engines will be the first multi-engine test at each site, and hundreds at Stennis since Apollo. This is a really significant Aerial view of Michoud “Having open communications of tenants at each site ate at milestone and a very exciting mission to support.” Assembly Facility in New was a priority because this the dining facilities, had their Orleans, Louisiana. consolidation is a major change work spaces cleaned, received Striving for Excellent Performance affecting hundreds of contracted their mail and were generally SACOM stands out as a significant contract within employees who have supported supported by the S3 base PAE’s portfolio. “NASA and other government each center for years,” explained operations services. The team agencies are looking to reduce costs,” explained Mike. “We held eight town did an outstanding job.” Mike “and we can anticipate more contracts hall meetings, seven of which consolidating existing work in order to do so. were targeted towards the Achieving excellent performance on SACOM existing employee base, prior through the S3 joint venture could lead to business to contract start date, and made on other consolidated contracts as well. Specific to sure information was available On day one, NASA, we look forward to reporting efficiencies that Pictured from left to right: PAE CEO John through a public website.” will translate into more available funding for future Heller, S3 Test Operations Manager Terrence operations at each NASA missions.” Over the course of a month site continued Burrell and S3 President Mike Matteson at and a half, S3 hired and on- Stennis in front of a simulated launch pad. Aerial View of Stennis Space SACOM can also serve as a doorway for new work boarded over 900 employees, Center in Hancock County, without any on other PAE contracts with NASA. PAE’s team at 97% of which were incumbent Mississippi. Johnson Space Center in Texas recently submitted Pictured on previous page from left to employees. All employees interruption or a bid to transport a section of the SLS to JSC in right: S3 Logistics Manager Cliff Plaxco; completed the orientation, Houston for acoustic vibration testing. “We want Below: S3 hosted several BWXT Technical Services Group, training and certification activities impact to the NASA to know that PAE is ready and able to support town hall meetings to maintain Director, Business Development Dave needed to become operational many of the critical components of the mission,” open communications with the customer mission. Ferris; BWXT President of Technical and execute the objectives of “ said Mike. incumbent workforce. Services and Nuclear Energy Bill Fox; the contract successfully prior to PAE Chief Operating Officer and member the official go-live date. of the S3 Board Karl Williams; BWXT Chief Operating Officer Rex Geveden; S3 Deputy General Manager for Stennis Synergies Space Center Jim Holt; S3 President Mike PAE provides maintenance, Matteson; BWXT President and CEO operations, engineering and Sandy Baker; BWXT Technical Services construction services to NASA Group, COO Dave Richardson; BWXT ” at the Johnson Space Center. VP and Chief Business Development More information in “Rigging Officer and member of the S3 Board Ken Department Brings Innovative Camplin; BWXT VP, Programs, Contracts Solutions to NASA” in the Q3 and Business Development and member 2015 edition of Inside PAE. of the S3 Board Gary Camper; and S3 Deputy General Manager for Michoud Assembly Facility Michael Keene. 21 Q1 2016 | Inside PAE | Technical Services Q1 2016 | Inside PAE | Technical Services 22.
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