In a continuing effort to control costs and streamline operations of its wind tunnel assets, and enhance safety, quality and productivity for maintenance and engineering, NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., is consolidating several Center initiatives under the management of a new organization.

The Research Facilities Management Office (RFMO) will merge wind tunnel operations, maintenance, engineering and facility-related information technology — now served by nine separate contracts — into one cohesive organization served by a single contract, Research Operations, Maintenance and Engineering (ROME).

The new office will be headed by Dr. Wilson T. Lundy, former director of NASA Langley’s Technology Commercialization Program Office.

“The purpose of the RFMO is to provide integrated management of resources and contracts to better support programs, projects and Center Competencies, and to assure safety during the operation of the facilities,” said Dr. Lundy.
The nine contracts and contractors included (in part or in whole) under the new plan are:

  • RIMS (Research Instrument and Measurement Support), Wyle Laboratories;
  • REOS (Research Equipment Operations Services), Diversified Technology and Services of Virginia;
  • FESS (Facilities and Equipment Support Services), Johnson Controls World Services, Inc.;
  • MA/ES (Multi-Disciplined Architectural and Engineering Services), Jacobs-Sverdrup Technology, Inc.;
  • SERFIS (Systems Engineering for Research Facility Integrated Systems), Aero Systems Engineering, Inc., DynCorp Information and Engineering Technology, Inc., Jacobs-Sverdrup Technology, Inc.;
  • SAMS (Systems Analysis and Mission Support), Swales and Associates, Inc.;
  • CONITS (Consolidated Information Technology Services), Raytheon Technical Services;
  • RECERT/CMMS/CMOL-(Re-certification/Computerized Maintenance Management System and Configuration Management On-Line), Hernandez Engineering;
  • CLASSIC (Consolidated Logistics, Administrative, Security & Scientific Information), NCI Systems, Inc.

The facilities that will be managed by the new RFMO are:

  • National Transonic Facility (NTF) / Cryogenic Complex
  • Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel
  • 14 x 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel
  • Transonic Dynamics Tunnel (TDT)
  • Low-Turbulence Pressure Tunnel (LTPT)
  • 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel
  • 8-Foot High-Temperature Tunnel.

Some realignment of the workforce is likely. However, no layoffs are planned. Some civil service workers will have new jobs that will match their skill level and continue to present opportunity for advancement. The facilities will continue to provide uninterrupted research support.

The civil service personnel directly involved with the new organization had the opportunity to meet and present their concerns and ask questions at a special private session today with organization leadership.