Selected for the contracts were TRW�s Space and Electronic Group of Redondo Beach, Calif./Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp., Boulder, Colo., and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space Co. of Sunnyvale, Calif. The two NGST phase one contracts awarded will last 26 months. The contracts will contain options for two consecutive three-month extensions.

Selected contractors will be expected to provide a detailed design concept and a technology development and infusion plan that will demonstrate how the contractor will ensure that the technology needed for its design will work and can be built given the NGST cost constraints. The technology plan also will demonstrate what steps have been taken to reduce technical risk.

Towards the end of the phase one contracts, a source evaluation board will begin the process of selecting a single design for the telescope. Although the main components of the designs will be complete, there will be details to consider, so the contractors will be able to continue working while the phase two source selection is underway.

Contractors not selected for phase one are still invited to compete for phase two, with the understanding that their design work and other phase one requirements will not be funded by NASA.

The contracts are part of an innovative procurement process that strives to identify, develop and integrate new technology into a program under strict cost constraints. Developing the best procurement strategy for the NGST mission requires taking all phases of the mission into account, from concept and technology development through construction, launch and operations.