Government
30th Space Wing: Vandenberg Air Force Base
GP 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 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 performs the work for bid price and assumes all cost risk.
Schedule
The current contract was awarded to GP in 2005. To date, GP 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 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, AFI 32-1068. GP 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, 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/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 pumps volumetric efficiency, which was dependent on the ratio of input to output pressures.
Certification
GP 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 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 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.
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