Stephanie Schierholz/Grey Hautaluoma
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-4997/0668
stephanie.schierholz@nasa.gov

grey.hautaluoma-1@nasa.gov </o:p></font>
CONTRACT RELEASE: C08-053

NASA TO TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION IN SPACESUIT CONTRACT PROTEST

WASHINGTON -- NASA has concluded that corrective action is appropriate
in the Government Accountability Office bid protest of Exploration
Systems & Technology, Inc. NASA determined that a compliance
issue requires the termination of the contract for the Constellation
Space Suit System with Oceaneering International, Inc. of Houston for
the convenience of the government.

NASA anticipates that corrective action will involve reconsideration
of its procurement decision. The pending protest litigation is
subject to a Government Accountability Office Protective Order.

NASA had awarded the contract on June 12. The spacesuit will protect
astronauts during Constellation Program voyages to the International
Space Station and, by 2020, the surface of the moon. The
Constellation Space Suit System contract is for design, development,
test, evaluation and production of equipment to support astronauts
aboard the Orion crew exploration vehicle, the Altair lunar lander,
and during human exploration of the surface of the moon.

Suits and support systems will be needed for as many as four
astronauts on moon voyages and as many as six space station
travelers. For short trips to the moon, the suit design will support
a week's worth of moon walks. The system also must be designed to
support a significant number of moon walks during potential six-month
lunar outpost expeditions. In addition, the spacesuit and support
systems will provide contingency spacewalk capability and protection
against the launch and landing environment, such as spacecraft cabin
leaks.

For more information about NASA's Constellation Program, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/constellation