Government
30th Space Wing: Vandenberg Air Force Base
GP Strategies provides pressure vessel and systems certification services to the
30th Space Wing as a subcontractor to CHI under the Launch Operations
Support Contract (LOSC) at Vandenberg Air Force Base. GP Strategies has supported
the Vandenberg AFB in this capacity since the mid-1990s. We certified more than
100 pressure vessels and in excess of 7.5 miles of GN2 cross country pipeline.
Cost
This is a fixed price (FP) task-order type contract. GP Strategies performs the
work for bid price and assumes all cost risk.
Schedule
The current contract was awarded to GP Strategies in 2005. To date, GP Strategies
has received seven task orders for services and has never negatively impacted a
launch schedule.
Performance
Comparability to Proposed Effort
The performance work statement contained in the request for proposal requires services
that are very similar to this effort. GP Strategies provides mechanical integrity
support, including non-destructive examination (NDE), pressure testing, stress analysis,
hazards analysis, hazardous testing procedures, configuration management, and program
management. Analyses are performed using ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code
Section VIII, Division 1 and Division 2; ASME Section XI fracture mechanics; CAESAR
II stress analysis software; PipeWorks analysis software; STADD Pro; and Air Force
standards, such as AFSCMAN 91-710, EWR 127-1, and AFI 32-1068. GP Strategies provides
engineering and inspection services to evaluate pressurized systems, including pressure
vessels, piping systems, and all components and devices within the systems.
Innovations and Achievements
GP Strategies, in collaboration with a local university, has initiated a project
with an end deliverable of a local area network (LAN) accessible mechanical integrity
database that will allow key Vandenberg AFB departments (Civil Engineering, Range
Safety, Base Environmental, and others) and facility managers electronic, real-time
access to critical mechanical integrity information. Because this is a joint GP
Strategies/university project, with a non-proprietary use agreement, it will be
provided at no cost to the government.
Technical Problems Overcome
Our team conducted high pressure tests of pressure vessels at critical facilities
using compressed gasses. Some pressurization tests contained the equivalent stored
energy of 1,475 lbs of TNT. Because of the hazardous nature of the testing and the
time requirements to reach test pressures, our team devised a way to reduce hazardous
testing time by coupling a LN2 recharger to a 6,000 psig tube trailer and then to
a custom-designed high pressure pump. By maintaining near constant 5,000 psig inlet
pressure to the pump and using the tube trailer as an accumulator, we ensured maximization
of the pump’s volumetric efficiency, which was dependent on the ratio of input to
output pressures.
Certification
GP Strategies developed the certification methodology currently used at Vandenberg
AFB. This methodology is based on more than 30 years of experience performing certification
services at similar government aerospace test facilities and commercial process
industries. This five-phased approach has been published and presented at ASME conferences,
NASA safety conferences, and industry forums.
Management
GP Strategies has managed the pressure vessel program at Vandenberg AFB since its
inception in the early 1990s. Our approach has resulted in numerous contract awards
and perennially satisfied customers, regardless of contract type. GP Strategies
has developed a Performance and Cost Report that we provide monthly to our customer
as a tool for them to monitor our value to their contract team.
Contact us today to learn more about GP Strategies’ services for the government: