ARL's New Navy Contract Is Longest and Largest Ever

University Park, Pa. ---  The U.S. Department of Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command, has awarded Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory an unprecedented 10 year contract with a basic cost ceiling close to $369 million for the first five years and an optional cost ceiling of nearly $445 million for a second five year period.

Dr. L. Raymond Hettche, ARL director, says, A contract that extends for a decade is unprecedented and shows the degree of confidence and respect that the Navy has for both the Applied Research Laboratory and Penn State.

He added, “As an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity type of agreement, specific orders will be issued as requirements and funding are identified.”

The new contract, which extends from Nov. 1, 2001 until Oct. 31, 2011, is not only the longest ARL has ever received since it was founded in 1945  but is also the largest.  

The contract notes that the Navy relies upon ARL/PSU to provide engineering, research, development and test and evaluation capabilities.  Each of these capabilities is determined to be essential to the support of specific programs managed by different technical sponsor organizations.

ARL, which has been called a National Treasure by the Navy and other  government agencies, has broad capabilities in undersea technology including guidance, control, simulation and modeling; advanced thermal propulsion concepts and systems, advanced propulsors, fluid machinery, and hydrodynamic, hydroacoustic and structural acoustics, as well as materials and manufacturing technologies and communication systems.

In addition to supporting ARL's basic and applied research programs in its areas of capability, the new contract will also maintain ARL's support for students.  During the past year, 322 students, including 150 undergraduate students, 118 graduate students and 54 ARL employees, received support through ARL to pursue studies and advanced degrees.   The new support will continue funding for a vigorous program to encourage diversity outreach including cooperative efforts with Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions such as Tennessee State University.

Many of the faculty members in Penn State's Graduate Program in Acoustics have joint appointments at ARL.   The new contract will provide the Graduate Program in Acoustics with space for their research, classrooms, computers, faculty, staff and students.

ARL is one of four University Affiliated Research Centers designated by the Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy.

Contacts:
Barbara Hale (814) 865-9481             bah@psu.edu
Vicki Fong  (814) 865-9481               vfong@psu.edu