NASA Selects Corporation to Lead Innovative Research Institute

NASA's oldest research laboratory is working to ensure America's future dominance in aerospace innovation and education.

The Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., will team with the National Institute of Aerospace Associates (NIAA), Reston, Va., a newly formed non-profit corporation, to create a world-class institute called the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA) to do cutting-edge aerospace and atmospheric research, develop new technologies for the nation and help inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Locating the NIA at the Langley Research Center will facilitate the Institute's involvement in agency-sponsored research programs and foster collaboration with NASA, including access to its world-class research facilities.

This innovative government-academic partnership is comprised of a cost reimbursable, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract and a cooperative agreement. The maximum value of the contract for a five-year base period is $49 million. The value of the basic five-year cooperative agreement is $69 million. If the three five-year options are exercised under the cooperative agreement, the combined potential total value would be $379 million.

The NIAA is made up of seven non-profit organizations or universities including:

• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Foundation, Reston, Virginia
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
• University of Virginia, Charlottesville
• University of Maryland, College Park
• North Carolina State University, Raleigh
• North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro
• Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta

The Institute is a long-term commitment on the part of NASA to expand collaboration with universities, industry, other government agencies and the broader scientific community to fully leverage expertise inside and outside of government.

Once fully operational, the Institute will become a strategic partner working with NASA to enhance its world-class aerospace and atmospheric research capability. The Institute will complement Langley's research creativity and expand research and technology development opportunities. In addition, the NIA will be a significant new research and education asset for the nation.

The Institute, through its partner universities, will offer masters' and doctoral degrees in science and engineering using both a local campus and the latest innovations in distance learning. The Institute will also be a catalyst for economic development by stimulating the commercialization of new intellectual property and facilitating the growth of new business opportunities. Finally, the Institute will be a prominent new voice promoting the benefits of aerospace research.

For further information about the "HEAT Program", contact information is listed below:
Q. W. (Buz) Nowicki
CATIA Higher Education an Training (HEAT) Program Manager
Product Lifecycle Management Solutions
18000 West Nine Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48075
(248) 552-5981 IBM Tie Line 896-5981 Fax (248) 552-6886
e-mail qnowicki@us.ibm.com