Alternate Trajectories

Government Executive August 15, 2003

A December 2002 report by the RAND-sponsored Space Shuttle Competitive Sourcing Task Force outlines a variety of competitive sourcing alternatives for shuttle operations. In all options, a new independent safety assurance office links the government and contractor.

FOUR OPTIONS FOR CONTRACT RESTRUCTURING

  • ENHANCED OUTSOURCING
    Increased outsourcing; unchanged NASA-contractor relationship
  • FUNCTIONAL CONSOLIDATION
    Contract divided; smaller, more numerous contracts
  • DUAL PRIME CONTRACTORS
    Separate contracts for hardware development and operation
  • SINGLE PRIME CONTRACTOR
    One company with multiple subcontractors

TWO OPTIONS FOR PRIVATIZING

  • STRUCTURAL
    Limited oversight of human space flight company operating shuttle and procuring flight equipment
  • HORIZONTAL INTEGRATION
    Nested contracts support several vehicle operators, mimicking an airport

SPACE AUTHORITY OPTION

Pseudo-governmental corporate instrument organizes shuttle operations and raises capital in the form of bonds

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Alternate Trajectories
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