Fremont, California, March 29, 2017 – In partnership with Universities Space Research Association (USRA), DeVine Consulting, Inc. (DeVine), has been awarded a contract to provide NASA with science and mission operations support for its Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) program. The USRA prime contract covers a 5-year base period followed by six two-year options for a total of approximately $514 million. The period of performance begins on May 1, 2017, including a 60-day phase-in.
DeVine will bring its expertise in cybersecurity, systems administration, and software development for this effort. This will include protecting data and system integrity, Windows & Linux systems administration, disaster recovery, and assistance to the facility science Instrument (FSI) to develop software to improve observing efficacy and instrument performance.
SOFIA is the largest airborne astronomical observatory featuring a far-infrared telescope mounted in the rear fuselage of a highly modified Boeing 747SP aircraft. It will also provide the technical and management guidance of the combined USRA and Deutsches SOFIA Institut (DSI) staff and research equipment to maximize the observatory productivity.
“I am honored to be a part of the USRA NASA SOFIA Team. We are dedicated to the continued success of the program. DeVine continues to expand our scientific and information technology service offerings with this contract award. We will leverage our extensive background in cybersecurity, software development, and systems administration to support USRA,” said Jeffrey DeVine, President & CEO of DeVine Consulting, Inc.
SOFIA’s mission is to conduct high-quality research and deliver cutting-edge technology and instrumentation. It offers routine access to the infrared, far infrared, and sub-millimeter parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Flying above 99 percent of the water vapor in the atmosphere, SOFIA facilitates observations that are unobtainable from telescopes on the ground. And because it can operate from airports worldwide, exchange instruments between flights, and implement new upgraded capabilities, it affords unique adaptability.
About DeVine Consulting, Inc.
DeVine Consulting is a small business based in Fremont, California. We have been a leading provider of scientific and IT services for government agencies for over 14 years, providing R&D, systems administration, high-performance computing, cybersecurity, big data analytics, and software development services. We are a CMMI Level 2 appraised firm with convenient contract vehicles such as GSA 8(a) STARS II, GSA Schedule 70, and SeaPort-e.
About SOFIA
The SOFIA Program is executed jointly at two NASA centers. Flight operations and maintenance of the SOFIA aircraft are managed at the agency’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Palmdale, California. Program and science operations are managed at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California. SOFIA is a joint effort between NASA and the German space agency Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft-und Raumfahrt (DLR) program.