Penn State Intercom......November 15, 2001

ARL's new Navy contract
is longest, largest ever

By Barbara Hale
Public Information

The U.S. Department of Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command, has awarded the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) 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.

"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," said L. Raymond Hettche, ARL director.

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 until Oct. 31, 2011, is not only the longest ARL has ever received since it was founded in 1945, but 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 also will 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 the University's Graduate Program in Acoustics have joint appointments at ARL. The new contract will provide the Graduate Program in Acoustics with space for 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.

Barbara Hale can be reached at bah@psu.edu.

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