NASA, University of California to Launch Bold New Collaboration

NOTE TO EDITORS AND NEWS DIRECTORS: News media representatives are invited to attend a news conference announcing a major new research collaboration on Monday, Sept. 22, at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. The news conference will be held at 11:00 a.m. PDT in the Moffett Training and Conference Center, Bldg. 3. News media must present photo ID and valid press credentials to gain entry. To reach NASA Ames, take the Moffett Field exit off U.S. 101, and head east on Moffett Boulevard to the Main Gate, Moffett Federal Airfield. Directions to the news conference are available at the gate.

On Monday, Sept. 22, NASA and one of the nation’s largest university systems will announce a major new research collaboration at a ceremony to be held at the Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
NASA and the University of California have signed a ten-year contract valued at more than $330 million dollars, a first-of-its-kind for NASA, to establish a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). UC Santa Cruz will manage the UARC as the lead campus on the project. The UARC will provide a unique combination of research and educational capabilities to meet NASA’s mission requirements and to develop future human resources in technology and science.

“The UARC moves NASA and university collaborations in a whole new direction,” said G. Scott Hubbard, Ames Center Director. “Typically, universities focus on fundamental research. With the new UARC, we are breaking down traditional institutional barriers to collaborate on mission-driven research that is on NASA’s critical path,” he added.

“This collaboration brings together ideal partners for innovation,” commented M.R.C. Greenwood, UC Santa Cruz Chancellor. “This is a singular opportunity to advance important and potentially world-changing research. Our campus’ keen interest in this project is supported by recognized research achievements and previous success in multidisciplinary and collaborative projects, such as the national Center for Adaptive Optics. The distinguished team of UC participants and our partners at San Jose State and Foothill and De Anza Community College District are eager to commence work with our NASA colleagues,” she said.

The new UARC will provide Ames Research Center with additional research capabilities to fulfill NASA’s mission requirements. The UARC’s educational mission will enable students and university researchers to work side-by-side with Ames researchers on mission critical problems to benefit the Agency and the nation. Overall, the UARC will provide long-term continuity of top-tier research talent focused on NASA’s growing multidisciplinary mission needs.
The close collaboration with an established university system will enable the UARC to offer career opportunities to attract and retain the best researchers. The UARC contract will substantially expand university participation from fundamental research under grants and cooperative agreements to mission-driven research under task order contracts.

The total estimated cost-plus-award fee for the base period is $119 million; the total estimated cost-plus award fee for Option Period One is $82 million; the total estimated cost-plus-award fee for Option Period Two is $132 million.

The period of performance is 10 years, consisting of a five-year base period followed by two-year and three-year options. The university will begin its phase-in operations in September 2003, with full contract responsibility starting December 2003 and continuing through August 31, 2013.