NASA has selected J. P. Donovan Construction Inc. of Rockledge, Florida, to begin work at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on the ground structures that will launch NASA’s next-generation rocket and spacecraft on the journey to Mars and other deep-space destinations.

The Ground Systems Development and Operations (GSDO) Mobile Launcher Ground Support Equipment Installation contract is a firm, fixed-price contract that extends for 455 calendar days and has a maximum value of $45.8 million. Significant subcontractors are Core Electric of Melbourne, Florida; MDI Services, LLC of Orlando, Florida; and Bragg Crane & Rigging of Long Beach, California.

J.P. Donovan Construction will install and integrate ground support equipment onto the existing Mobile Launcher to modify the structure with systems necessary to assemble, process and launch NASA’s integrated Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.

GSDO’s primary objective is to prepare Kennedy to process and launch the next-generation vehicles and spacecraft designed to achieve NASA's goals for space exploration. To achieve this transformation, program personnel are developing the necessary ground systems while refurbishing and upgrading infrastructure and facilities to meet tomorrow's demands. This modernization effort keeps flexibility in mind, in order to accommodate a multitude of government, commercial and other customers.

For more information about NASA programs for the journey to Mars, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/groundsystems

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