Small business helps NASA reach for the stars
2017-07-31
In preparation for testing of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), Jacobs, under its JSC Engineering, Technology and Science Contract, is responsible for the upgrade and modernization of significant portions of the behemoth thermal vacuum chamber, called “Chamber A,” at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, which includes its supporting systems. In early 2016, the program identified the need for refurbishment and restoration of a heritage cooling tower pump and motor systems connected with the Chamber A system.
Jacobs scoured the local market of pump and motor-service companies to foster competition, increase refurbishment expertise available to Johnson and acquire new potential small business sources. The survey yielded a previously unknown Houston-based small business supplier: Texas Industrial Services (TIS).
TIS rounded out an acquisition pool solicited for this work and quickly distinguished themselves through their technical foresight. Chamber A is a challenging, one-of-a-kind facility that emulates the hostile environment of deep space. TIS was sensitive to the big picture surrounding chamber operations, which requires multiple units of pump and motor combinations to make space come alive for telescope testing.
During the small-business evaluation process, Jacobs’ technical reviewers conducted a subcontractor site visit and returned with full technical approval of TIS facilities, resulting in a multiple award, with TIS gaining a fair share of the work.
The project schedule landed between critical test delivery dates and presented additional technical challenges due to the heritage nature of the equipment. TIS responded to the challenge and was at Johnson as soon as it was feasible. Still keeping safety at the forefront, the company delivered ahead of schedule, which was especially important considering that it was impossible to know the extent of the work needed until opening the assemblies back at the TIS site.
TIS gained significant follow-on work after the success of this project.
“TIS takes pride in their work and relationship with their customers,” said Jacobs Facility Engineer Ryan Grogan. “Just one of many examples of the above-and-beyond service they provided is how they reverse-engineered and fabricated a motor-to-pump hub that was no longer supplied by the other equipment manufacturer. This solution-based approach allowed the existing system to remain functional even though replacement parts are no longer available for it.”
While performing work on-site, TIS was also instrumental in providing solutions to other issues associated with the facility. They repaired moorings for motors and motor/pump alignments separate from their subcontract, setting TIS apart for pump and motor system repair, refurbishment and installation. And while this important work was completed quietly in the background, it has enabled the JWST program to concentrate on more important things: its final mission simulation at Johnson before heading into the cosmos in late 2018.
Jacobs scoured the local market of pump and motor-service companies to foster competition, increase refurbishment expertise available to Johnson and acquire new potential small business sources. The survey yielded a previously unknown Houston-based small business supplier: Texas Industrial Services (TIS).
TIS rounded out an acquisition pool solicited for this work and quickly distinguished themselves through their technical foresight. Chamber A is a challenging, one-of-a-kind facility that emulates the hostile environment of deep space. TIS was sensitive to the big picture surrounding chamber operations, which requires multiple units of pump and motor combinations to make space come alive for telescope testing.
During the small-business evaluation process, Jacobs’ technical reviewers conducted a subcontractor site visit and returned with full technical approval of TIS facilities, resulting in a multiple award, with TIS gaining a fair share of the work.
The project schedule landed between critical test delivery dates and presented additional technical challenges due to the heritage nature of the equipment. TIS responded to the challenge and was at Johnson as soon as it was feasible. Still keeping safety at the forefront, the company delivered ahead of schedule, which was especially important considering that it was impossible to know the extent of the work needed until opening the assemblies back at the TIS site.
TIS gained significant follow-on work after the success of this project.
“TIS takes pride in their work and relationship with their customers,” said Jacobs Facility Engineer Ryan Grogan. “Just one of many examples of the above-and-beyond service they provided is how they reverse-engineered and fabricated a motor-to-pump hub that was no longer supplied by the other equipment manufacturer. This solution-based approach allowed the existing system to remain functional even though replacement parts are no longer available for it.”
While performing work on-site, TIS was also instrumental in providing solutions to other issues associated with the facility. They repaired moorings for motors and motor/pump alignments separate from their subcontract, setting TIS apart for pump and motor system repair, refurbishment and installation. And while this important work was completed quietly in the background, it has enabled the JWST program to concentrate on more important things: its final mission simulation at Johnson before heading into the cosmos in late 2018.
Texas Industrial Services (TIS) and Jacobs personnel are pictured during the restored pump's installation. From left is Gregory Montes Sr. with TIS; Jacobs Facility Engineer Ryan Grogan; and Gregory Montes Jr., also with TIS.
The initial state of the pump, pre-extraction, which shows the extent of restoration work required.
Fully restored three-stage vertical turbine pumps at TIS' facility.