Pasadena Firm Scores Big

A large local firm scored a major contract with NASA, allowing it to assume operational management of an assembly facility in New Orleans, it was announced on Tuesday.

The federal space agency granted certification status to Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., last week, allowing the firm to assume operational management of the Michoud Assembly Facility in eastern New Orleans, La., the company said in a released statement.

“The Michoud Assembly Facility has made major contributions to NASA’s space research and exploration programs, and it will be central to the success of human missions to the moon and Mars,” Jacobs President and CEO Craig Martin said about the announcement. “We are excited about supporting NASA’s transformation of MAF into a multi-program, multi-prime facility and continuing our support to the U.S. space program.”

According to the terms of the deal, Jacobs assumed management of the facility on July 1. They are expected to employ about 450 employees. Lockheed Martin previously operated the assembly facility.

Michoud Assembly Facility is critical to NASA’s Space Shuttle Program. The New Orleans facility is where external tanks for space shuttles, and was also home to the manufacture of several major components for the Constellation Program.

In addition to the NASA partnership, Jacobs was also awarded a contract by a Chinese government entity, the company said. The engineering services contract is with the Highways Dept. of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and worth about $3 million, according to Jacobs. Under the agreement, the engineering firm was hired to monitor the design and site investigation phase of the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link.