Jacobs has received a eight-year, $225 million contract by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Aerospace Systems Directorate West (AFRL/RQ-West), under the Rocket and Propulsion Technology Research contract (RAPTR) at Edwards Air Force Base in California, the company announced on Monday.
The cost-plus-fixed-fee award has a 10-month period of performance that will begin in April 2020. The contract also has a 24-month base period, and includes two 41-month option periods.
"The importance of AFRL's mission and challenges they face turning rocket propulsion science into operational effectiveness for the nation's warfighters are tremendous catalysts that energize our entire workforce to redefine what's possible in delivering innovative solutions for the client," said Jacobs Critical Mission Solutions senior vice president, Steve Arnette.
With the award, Jacobs will continue its longstanding relationship with the Air Force by serving as one of the AFRL's premier solutions providers to help meet current and future technology needs.
Jacobs will provide on-site basic, exploratory and experimental research and development (R&D) support to the AFRL/RQ-West. Under RAPTR, the company will assist the development and transition of a variety of rocket and space propulsion-related technologies to the warfighter.
Specific scientific and technical R&D areas include combustion processes, fluid dynamics and materials sciences; chemical/material sciences; aerophysics and plasma physics; analytical chemistry; in-space propulsion; high-payoff propulsion technologies; and high energy density matter.
"This is a premier opportunity for Jacobs to work with the U.S. Air Force in developing and transitioning advanced technologies needed to address a complex and evolving threat environment and successfully execute their national defense mission," added Arnette.
Jacobs has also provided research assistance for NASA under a contract awarded in March 2019. The company will continue to support facility operations and aerospace tests at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California under a one-year contract option.
The space agency has estimated that the exercised option will bring the total potential value of the Aerospace Testing and Facility Operation and Maintenance IV contract to $178 million.
Jacobs has helped manage the center’s arc jets, wind tunnels, hypersonic facilities and ballistics complexes. The company added it will continue to support the maintenance and repair of facilities there, as well as aeronautics and space technology testing efforts and advanced development projects.
About Jacobs
At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.
With $13 billion in revenue and a talent force of approximately 52,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sector.
