NASA-Kennedy Space Center awards Wang Federal $32 million contract; Wang wins five-year contract for project management and software support for NASA Space Shuttle systems

Business Wire, Oct 31, 1995

BILLERICA, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 31, 1995--Wang (NASDQ:WANG) announced today that the National Aeronautic Space Administration (NASA) has awarded the company a five-year, $32 million contract for continued hardware maintenance, system software licensing, and on-site software analyst support at John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

Wang Federal will provide support for NASA's Central Data Subsystem (CDS), and Kennedy Inventory Management System (KIMS). CDS is part of the Space Shuttle Launch Processing Program and KIMS provides support for Kennedy Space Center inventory and logistics.

As a vital part of the Space Shuttle launch and training program, CDS conducts thousands of mission critical tests, ranging from testing one variable in a system or subsystem to the entire Space Shuttle craft and launch equipment. Tests are conducted in the launch room, on the launch pad, in the Vehicle Assembly Building, or in the Orbiter Processing Facility.

Prior to launch, a vast amount of data is collected and processed in real time. Sensors monitor variables such as fuel flow, pressures, temperatures, weather, payload, site conditions, fuel, and electrical power. The Launch Processing System is the mechanism by which all of this data is assimilated and fed to the Launch Director who is ultimately responsible for the decision to launch the Space Shuttle.

The CDS system has archival and recall capabilities that store all test data before and during launch. There are approximately 12,000 separate measurements, and samples are taken at rates ranging from one time per launch to 100 times per second. Data from current tests as well as from previous tests is archived for comparison with current conditions.

Wang's contract with NASA at the Kennedy Space Center includes project management, software support, and hardware maintenance. Project management includes scheduling, establishing priorities, performance of all work listed under the contract, and requires a resident Project Manager. Wang's software support includes implementation, maintenance, problem resolution, modification and documentation updates for all Wang system software, and consultation concerning the implementation of other software that utilizes or interfaces with the Wang software. Hardware maintenance includes on-site coverage for CDS and on-call coverage for KIMS on a seven day, 24 hour per day basis.

On-site support from Wang is mandatory because the software has been customized to meet NASA's specific requirements. Whenever there is a Space Shuttle launch, Wang software personnel are on-site 24 hours a day for three days prior to launch.

"We consider Wang part of our NASA team, and rely on Wang service and support as a vital part of our Space Shuttle Program," said Joseph N. Barfus, Director, Ground Systems, Kennedy Space Center.

"Wang has always been proud to be part of the NASA team at Kennedy Space Center," said Ronald E. Cuneo, president, Wang Federal. "We look forward to continuing our long track record for critical support and service for each launch."

Wang Federal, headquartered in McLean, Virginia, is the Wang business unit dedicated to meeting the software and service needs of the U.S. government and its contractors.

Wang is a recognized worldwide leader in enterprise work management solutions that incorporate workflow, integrated imaging, document management and related software for client/server open systems, and a major worldwide provider of integration and support services for software and networks. Wang's products and services enable customers to realize major improvements in productivity, quality and responsiveness by the definition, automation, management and measurement of critical business processes.

Wang is one of the industry's largest independent service organizations. The worldwide Service Business provides network integration and support services, warranty and maintenance services, help-desk support, and other value-added services for more than 4,000 products from 350 equipment and software manufacturers. Headquartered in Billerica, Massachusetts, it has offices and distributorships in more than 130 countries and more than 5,000 technical support professionals answering more than ten million service and support calls.

CONTACT: Ed Pignone or Loretta Day

Wang (Billerica, MA) Wang Federal (McLean,VA)

(508) 967-4912 (703) 827-3405