NASA has awarded a five-year contract to Chugach Intelligence Solutions LLC to manage operations, maintenance, and repairs at Ames Research Center in California, supporting the center's scientific missions and infrastructure needs
NASA has selected Chugach Intelligence Solutions LLC to oversee the operations, maintenance, and repair of facilities at Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley. The contract, known as Ames Facilities Support Services II, is designed to ensure that the center's infrastructure remains capable of supporting both NASA's scientific missions and the activities of tenant organizations within the NASA Research Park.
Five-Year Contract Could Reach $158 Million
The agreement covers a five-year period, beginning with a 12-month base phase and extending through four additional 12-month options, with the possibility of a six-month extension. The contract is structured as a hybrid, combining cost-plus-award-fee core requirements, a firm-fixed-price phase-in, and indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity task orders.
This approach is intended to provide flexibility for both routine facility management and unexpected operational needs. The total potential value of the contract, including all options and the IDIQ ceiling, is approximately $158 million.
Maintenance Will Support Research and Mission Operations
Facilities at Ames Research Center include a range of historic and specialized buildings that support research in aeronautics, space science, and technology development. Maintaining these assets is essential for ongoing mission operations, instrument testing, and collaborative projects with partner organizations.
The contract's scope covers preventive maintenance, emergency repairs, and upgrades to ensure that critical infrastructure remains operational and compliant with safety and technical standards.
According to NASA, the performance period for the new contract is expected to begin on August 13. The contract's flexible structure allows NASA to address both scheduled maintenance and emergent issues that could affect mission timelines or research activities.
Flexible Support Aims to Reduce Operational Disruptions
The arrangement is part of NASA's broader strategy to sustain the operational readiness of its research centers while adapting to evolving mission requirements and technological advances.
Facility support contracts such as this one play a foundational role in enabling scientific research and mission operations. By ensuring that laboratories, test facilities, and support infrastructure are maintained to high standards, NASA aims to minimize downtime and reduce the risk of technical interruptions that could impact data collection, instrument calibration, or experimental campaigns.
Why Research Infrastructure Matters at Ames
Understanding the importance of reliable infrastructure is central to the success of space science and engineering missions. Facilities at research centers like Ames house wind tunnels, simulation labs, and mission control rooms, all of which require precise environmental controls and regular technical oversight.
Effective facility management supports not only current projects but also the integration of new instruments and the accommodation of future research needs.
