Aerospace Testing and Facilities Operations and Maintenance (ATOM) III - NASA Ames Research Center

Sierra Lobo provides operations and maintenance support for the ThermoPhysics Branch Space Test Facilities at Ames Research Center on this performance-based contract.  The test facilities supported include arcjets, ballistic ranges, and several auxiliary support systems.  Other work includes the design, development and manufacture of sensors and instrumentation systems to help reduce thermal protection mass.  These sensors can be flown on entry vehicles or used for ground tests.  Sierra Lobo has consistently received “Excellent” ratings on this contract, resulting in contract renewal twice.  Sierra Lobo provides support in an integrated contract team environment in the following capacities:

Test Services

Sierra Lobo completes development, fabrication, installation, and end-to-end functional checks on instrumentation, data acquisition, and specialized model system software, models, and associated mounting hardware.  We train facility personnel on model and facility hardware, software and operations.  Sierra Lobo completes and documents all repairs and changes to test-related hardware and software.  Sierra Lobo returns the testing facility to baseline configuration by removing and returning all instrumentation and model-related hardware for all test operations.

Test Services Include:

·         Test Preparation

·         Instrumentation

·         Data-acquisition and specialized model system software including test-dependent or user-supplied software

·         Model and associated mounting hardware

·         Facility modifications

·         Train test and facility personnel, as applicable, on model and facility hardware, software, and operations

·         Test Operations

·         Complete and document repairs and changes to test-related hardware and software

·         Collect and archive raw data and provide reduced data to customer during test operations

·         Post-Test Operations

·         Return facility to the base-line configuration

·         Remove instrumentation and return to inventory or customer

·         Remove and return model-related hardware to inventory

Development Services

Test/Diagnostic Techniques Development consists of developing, and supporting the ongoing evolution of new test methods for the research, development, and commercial community, such as developing and validating new instrumentation types, data collection concepts, and diagnostic techniques, flow visualization.

Facility Development consists of facility enhancements to better meet customer needs.

Data Systems Development consists of design and implementation of hardware and software systems for new data acquisition and reduction capabilities that enhance testing.

Model/Test Apparatus development consists of the design, fabrication oversight, and testing necessary for models and test apparatus development, such as mounting hardware, test platforms, and test-specific auxiliary systems that meets customer requirements.

Sierra Lobo performs the following development services:

Development Services Include:

·         Complete Project Plans and Designs

·         Develop project requirements document with detailed cost estimate and schedule

·         Produce project plans detailing work breakdown structure, resource requirements and their allocation

·         Complete studies, conceptual design, design reviews, and final design in accordance with configuration management procedures

·         Complete safety, environmental, and mission assurance analysis

·         Complete the Project Implementation/Installation

·         Complete fabrication, software programming, assembly, and installation for ATOM III projects

·         Complete required Quality Assurance/Quality Control activities ensuring documentation is in accordance with Configuration Management procedures

·         Complete personnel training in regards to project implementation

·         Complete the Project Checkout

·         Complete and document repairs and changes for each project checkout

·         Ensure project results are consistent with project requirements

·         Plan and perform an integrated systems test and participate in final reviews necessary to qualify system readiness

·         Develop project documentation and update facility information documents, including as-built drawings, in accordance with Configuration Management procedures

·         Conduct closeout activities

Sierra Lobo performs the following General Services: 

·         Operation of Support Facilities

·         Operate the support facilities to ensure that utilities or functionality is available to the aerospace facilities when needed (SLI operated the support facilities to ensure that utilities or functionality is available to facilities when needed.  Facilities included steam vacuum system and boiler house, high voltage DC power supplies, and high pressure and instrument air systems.)

·         Coordinate the demand for the utilities or functions with aerospace facility operational personnel and NASA management to ensure that utilities will be available to the aerospace facilities when needed

·         Restore support facilities to operational status in the event of unforeseen circumstances or emergencies

·         Ensure that no safety or environmental regulation violations occur during performance of this work

·         Coordinate maintenance, repair, and calibration of the support facilities to ensure that utilities or functionality will be available to the aerospace facilities when needed

·         Maintenance, Repairs, and Calibration

·         Ensure that test and support facilities are operationally ready

·      make efficient use of maintenance and repair shutdowns

·      perform maintenance and repairs to avoid unscheduled facility shutdowns

·      respond to unforeseen events/emergencies to restore facilities to operational status

·      Identify and communicate to NASA the root cause(s) for facility failures

·         Develop long term maintenance, calibration, and repair plans

·      Develop, maintain, and communicate to NASA a prioritized list of repair needs with justifications

·      Develop schedules for calibration of instrumentation

·         complete maintenance, calibration, and repair work

·      Operate Computerized Maintenance Management Software (CMMS) to schedule maintenance work

·      Coordinate and schedule maintenance and repair work to be performed by others

·      Perform maintenance, calibration, and repair work to standards

·      Perform maintenance, calibration, and repair work in accordance with safety, environmental, and other applicable regulations

·         Document maintenance, calibration, and repair work

·      Sierra Lobo documented maintenance, calibration, and repair work to ATOM III facilities.  We maintained accurate and up-to-date CMMS history, maintained accurate and up-to-date field-located log books, and updated facility configuration changes per established procedures.

·         Administration - These services include, but are not limited to:  Resource Scheduling, Property Management, Procurement, Safety, Environmental, and Mission Assurance, Contract Reporting, Configuration Management, and IT System Administration.

·         Property Management

·      Ensure that consumables, equipment, tools, and parts required for testing, development, and maintenance and repairs are accounted for, available, and ready when needed

·      A property control process that satisfies requirements of the NASA Equipment Management System (NEMS)

·      A calibration recall process

·      A tool checkout system

·         Safety and Environmental Compliance

·      All personnel are appropriately trained in procedures, policies, and practices in accordance with current NASA, ARC, OSHA, EPA, and other applicable federal, state, and local regulatory agency standards

·      All operators of equipment that are required to be licensed and/or certified have current licenses/certifications

·      Participate with NASA in safety inspections and safety awareness training in accordance with Ames Safety Accountability Program