SECTION VI

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER CROSS-CUTTING FUNCTIONS

Cross-cutting functions at KSC provide an effective enabling structure, consisting of a core of diverse expertise, in place to carry out essential diverse activities at the Center and ensure success in accomplishment of our mission related to NASA's enterprises. These enabling functions are supported with minimum resource expenditures and provide maximum benefits to the enterprises, programs, and projects charged with primary responsibility for meeting specific Agency goals and objectives. The goals, objectives, and implementation strategies for the various KSC enabling functions are as follows:

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Goal:

Serve as a leading national resource for all levels of American education in the advancement of scientific and technical information and expertise

Objectives:

• Develop and implement science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education programs, services, and research opportunities that meet the needs of educators and students at all levels, and effectively communicate NASA's mission to the education community

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Support America's teachers, faculty, and students through the use of NASA's mission, facilities, and resources to enhance knowledge and skills in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology
• Facilitate development of instructional products based on NASA's unique mission and provide access to these products through the innovative use of technology
• Focus teacher/faculty/student programs and products on the NASA Strategic Enterprises and the KSC roles and missions
• Align educational products to the National standards for science and mathematics education
• Coordinate programs and products with state school systems to promote systemic advances in science, mathematics, and technology education
• Use telecommunications and technology to distribute materials to academia
• Evaluate processes, services, and programs
• Ensure KSC-produced NASA publications and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center include more innovative educational exhibits and experiences, including the benefits of NASA technology
• Work with area institutions and Florida Space Institute on joint development projects and research

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM

Goal:

Promote equal opportunity, equity, and diversity in the workplace

Objectives:

• Strive for diversity in all occupational groups, grade levels, organizational units, and NASA programs and activities
• Maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and facilities that are fully accessible
• Promote involvement in KSC's Special Emphasis Advisory Groups

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Conduct vigorous educational programs with historically black colleges and universities (HBCU's) and other minority universities (OMU's)
• Work with management to review and modify, as needed, all policies, procedures, and processes to ensure that equal opportunity and diversity are fostered in spirit and intent
• Ensure representation in all grade and organizational levels, occupational skill groups, and working organizations that is characteristic of America's diversity. Provide career development opportunities for women, minorities, and persons with disabilities
• Provide training opportunities to all KSC employees in multicultural diversity, sexual harassment, disabilities awareness, and discrimination-free workplaces
• Place special emphasis on fostering grants and educational programs for students at HBCU's and OMU's to pursue careers in science, mathematics, and engineering. Continue to monitor research grants with HBCU's and OMU's
• Provide assistance to KSC's Special Emphasis Advisory Groups

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Goal:

Serve as the financial and resources organization to support customers in the most effective and efficient method in accomplishing Agency and Center goals

Objectives:

• Establish and maintain processes, systems, and plans that ensure information is accurate and is available for the most effective and efficient utilization of resources across the Center
• Provide an integrated financial control and reporting system as the factual and legal basis for accountability of Center funds

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Develop and execute Program Operating Plans (POPs) in accordance with Agency strategic plans and guidelines
• Establish organizations and processes that provide the most effective implementation of the full cost concepts
• Establish organizations and processes to plan, direct, and manage implementation of the NASA Integrated Financial Management Program

INSTALLATION

Goal:

Manage the Federal property and perform critical activities which support Center and Program operations in the most cost-efficient, effective, and environmentally sound manner possible

Objectives:

• Provide a physical installation capable of hosting enterprise launch and landing systems while minimizing cost and schedule time at KSC
• Provide facility operations, maintenance, engineering, and information technology services for KSC organizations
• Provide security and fire protection for the installation, personnel, enterprise, and Agency activities
• Provide administrative and operational aircraft
• Provide agreed to NASA services for the DoD 45th Space Wing and other agencies
• Provide special life support expertise, hardware systems, and training for handling of toxic fuels, hazardous chemicals, and certain toxic waste
• Provide hazardous and controlled waste management

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Maintain a continuing strategy to attain peak efficiency for Center operation
• Provide initiatives, including peer teams and benchmarking, to review installation operations and recommend improvements, consolidations, and efficiencies over past practices
• Develop and implement performance-based contracting with greater emphasis toward fixed price while reducing NASA management oversight
• Continue the consolidation of joint services between the DoD 45th Space Wing and NASA KSC to provide a more cost-effective launch and landing installation for the taxpayer
• Implement the work force space allocations and facility consolidation initiative
• Develop and implement plans to be more proactive in solicitation of enterprise's future programs launch and landing operations

LEGAL

Goal:

Support KSC's assigned roles and missions by proactively providing timely and sound professional and legal counsel to all organizational elements

Objectives:

• Ensure that KSC decision-makers are fully apprised of all laws and regulations governing their activities
• Promote the awareness and observance of high ethical standards by KSC employees
• Support programmatic efforts through traditional legal and business advice concerning contracts, technology transfer agreements, and other agreements (e.g., Space Act, Interagency)
• Aggressively represent NASA's interests in litigation matters

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Represent NASA's interest in litigation matters, defending legitimate management decisions, protecting NASA's financial resources from nonmeritorious claims, and asserting NASA's rights in matters where NASA has an interest
• Provide focus to KSC personnel regarding compliance with pertinent laws, regulations, and policies relating to standards of ethical conduct and values, recognizing that integrity is one of NASA's fundamental values
• Provide proactive legal advice to KSC organizations, including, where appropriate, advice on alternative approaches that would effectively further the Agency's objectives while minimizing legal risks
• Assist in the development and implementation of innovative and cost-effective strategies for using contracts, cooperative agreements, and other agreements to advance NASA's priorities
• Support the transfer of technology to the private sector through legal support for Space Act and Interagency agreements and other technology transfer efforts
• Monitor client relations and client satisfaction in a manner that ensures client expectations for legal services are being met or exceeded
  

PROCUREMENT

Goal:

Provide highly effective and efficient acquisition support

Objective:

• Continue streamlining our acquisition processes and reducing lead times by applying acquisition reforms authorized by Congress and the Agency

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Provide acquisition management for KSC-managed contracts
• Provide administrative contracting officer services as delegated by other Centers
• Expand the use of "NASA Mid-Range Procurement Procedures" to acquisitions of $10M and below and $25M and below for "Commercial Items"
• Fully implement electronic commerce in all areas of the acquisition cycle
• Expand the use of oral proposals on competitive procurement actions
• Use performance-based contracting, emphasizing work statements, specifications, and delivery schedules written around desired outputs and outcomes of the contract
• Use Agencywide consolidated contracts for equipment and services common to most NASA Field Centers to realize significant savings through economies of scale and to significantly reduce the time required for obtaining equipment and services
• Significantly simplify the process for evaluation of competitive contractor proposals by the elimination of unnecessary steps and maximizing use of "best value" procurements using NASA's Mid Range Procedures
• Expand and simplify the use of credit cards by the procurement and technical communities at KSC
• Continue to pursue outsourcing opportunities as well as potential "privatizing" of selected areas at KSC
• Facilitate team building with KSC technical, legal, and contractor communities in setting goals for reducing lead times and aggressively seek accomplishment of those goals
• Use Task Order Contracts for appropriate KSC requirements

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Goal:

Promote public understanding of the role the space program plays in enhancing national economic growth and security, preservation of the environment, educational excellence, and peaceful exploration and discovery

Objective:

• Communicate information about NASA's Enterprise-related activities and successes, including KSC payload processing and launches, to the news media, general public, special public groups, community leaders, and influential national organizations

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Provide a positive experience and better understanding and heightened awareness of NASA, the human space flight program, and the Center to official NASA guests, public visitors to KSC and employees-including those attending launches and landings, open houses, and other special events
• Provide responsive real-time support and services to encourage and facilitate coverage of NASA activities, including KSC mission events
• Provide media with specific information quickly and accurately to help ensure accurate and constructive reporting of NASA programs, including KSC activities
• Operate a Public Visitors Program which ensures that the facilities, exhibits, and messages provided through the KSC Visitor Center inform and educate the public about the heritage, current missions, and future directions of the space program for NASA, including KSC
• Respond to public requests for information, materials, and services in a positive way that fosters good will toward NASA and KSC. Post launch, landing, and other information about NASA and the space program on the world wide web to make it electronically available on a universal basis
• Reach out to community leaders, influential associations, and other select audiences (including those not directly involved in the space program) by providing speakers for their off-Center events, on-Center briefings and other support of NASA personnel and resources at KSC
• Foster cooperative relationships with the community through an aggressive Community Affairs Program, including encouragement of community service involvement among KSC employees
• Work with various private and public organizations to encourage NASA and KSC exhibits at their location

ADMINISTRATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES

Goal:

Enhance and sustain a skilled and motivated work force to accomplish the Center's missions, assigned programs, and projects

Objectives:

• Provide essential administrative support and proper skill mix to facilitate work-force accomplishments of Center's missions, assigned programs, and projects

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Ensure that the KSC organizational structure supports Center roles and mission assignments
• Provide employee mentoring, development, and training/cross-training to ensure that an appropriate skills mix is maintained for changing roles and missions
• Assist Center organizations in consolidating functions to gain maximum efficiencies
• Implement and maintain systems to recognize and reward employees superior performance
• Provide essential administrative and Human Resource services required for the work force to accomplish assignments
• Encourage Labor/Management Partnership Activities and communications
• Expand and continue to improve Summer Faculty Development Program

APPLIED TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION

Goal:

Promote and transfer NASA and Federal Government technology to commercial enterprises

Objectives:

• Extensively leverage NASA applied research resources in support of launch and other space technology missions to improve safety/reliability, reduce operational costs and processing time, improve customer service, and upgrade existing systems
• Aggressively market NASA technology, technological expertise, and world class test facility use to commercial enterprises
• Assist industry in the development of commercial products and services through easy access to NASA space technology

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Expand and assert KSC's role in applied research and technology commercialization
• As the Center of Excellence for Launch and Payload Processing, transfer applied technologies which will reduce processing cost and transfer these technologies to the private sector
• Provide partnership opportunities for other NASA Center's, other Government agencies, and commercial enterprises to access KSC engineering, facility resources, and technology development expertise
• Actively involve the KSC civil service engineering work force in finding solutions to commercial requests for assistance
• Increase participation of KSC contractor work force in industry assistance efforts
• In partnership with the state of Florida, provide a business incubation Center for start-up of high technology businesses with high potential for adapting NASA technology to commercial products and processes
• Continue the performance of applied research to improve materials required in the launch environment
• Continue to support technology transfer efforts in environmental monitoring to enhance sampling and data management

SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE (S&MA)

Goal:

Ensure that safety, reliability, maintainability, and quality assurance activities are effectively integrated into the planning, design, development, implementation, and operation of NASA's Strategic Enterprises and Support Activities supported by KSC

Objective:

• Promote, improve, and enhance techniques to provide safe methodologies for effective flight and ground hardware and software processing at KSC

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Provide safety and mission assurance support to the Space Shuttle missions, the ELV programs, the ISS, and to other assigned Center projects
• Perform independent assessments for all assigned programs and communicate risk issues
• Improve the efficiency of quality assurance by enhancing the structured surveillance program during the Mandatory Inspection Point (MIP) reduction program
• Safely and efficiently accomplish a smooth transition of selected S&MA functions to the KSC performance-based contracts while monitoring insight and integrity of the operations
• Reduce the cost of mission success through the customer definition of minimum S&MA requirements; effective implementation of S&MA discipline activities, audits, surveillance, and evaluations; timely communication of lessons learned; and early S&MA inputs into advanced projects
  • Play an integral and proactive role in preventing/resolving flight and ground hardware and software processing problems by developing and applying results-oriented innovative S&MA approaches; establishing and implementing enhanced S&MA engineering techniques and Procurement Quality Assurance Program; improving risk assessment criteria; and expanding, promoting, and enhancing the use of process analysis, statistical control, and continued improvement tools and techniques
• Ensure quality products and services through assessment surveillance and monitoring of KSC processes by well-trained assurance personnel
• Maintain an aggressive and proactive program to ensure the identification and correction of unsafe conditions to reduce the number of operational mishaps and processing incidents
• Ensure the safe processing of flight systems by complying with NASA safety requirements
• Provide NASA expertise in safety, reliability, maintainability, and quality assurance disciplines
• Continue to promote and support NASA/KSC's transition to the ISO 9000 management system concepts and assist in achieving third-party registration before October 1999

BIOMEDICAL PROGRAMS

Goal:

Provide proactive medical and environmental management support to all Center operations, state-of-the-art ecological monitoring and biological systems technology and expertise, and world class Life Sciences operational activities

Objective:

• The technical integration of science and engineering expertise for synergistic support to both operational and research and development requirements

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Provide medical and environmental health support to KSC operations to ensure the well being of the work force, a healthy work environment, and mission success
• Provide science and engineering expertise to Principal Investigators and other customers who are involved in Life Sciences payloads processing
• Provide environmental engineering and management support to aid in the minimization of impacts to the environment, including natural vegetation and wildlife
• Provide scientific research and technical assistance on plant-specific phenomena
• Establish and enhance partnerships with state and local Governments, universities, and U.S. industries to facilitate technology transfer of systems and procedures developed in support of KSC Life Sciences activities

LOGISTICS

Goal:

Provide Logistics expertise and services for the Center and external customers

Objective:

• Ensure flight hardware, ground support equipment, materials, commodities, and associated planning are provided to support customer milestones
• Ensure the KSC logistics infrastructure is maintained and available to support the next generation of launch and payload processing systems

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans

• Provide specialized laboratory facilities and develop expertise and methodologies to support hardware failure analysis, chemical and material analysis, precision cleaning, and calibration
• Maintain and enhance a flexible logistics infrastructure of capabilities and resources to meet customer requirements
• Continue evolving as a logistics area of expertise by sharing technological expertise and innovations with academia, private industry, and other Government agencies
• Maintain and enhance logistics services in support of current and future launch, landing, and payload operations in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective manner
• Provide the KSC logistics experience and expertise to the design, development, and operation of advanced space programs
• Recommend logistics support policies for the Agency
• Optimize logistics engineering support by enhancing logistics processes and systems to provide technical insight to hardware supportability and sustained hardware integrity
• Communicate to international community on KSC's expertise in launch processing, launch, payload processing, and support systems whether the launch site is KSC or elsewhere
• Utilize publications, international forums, and professional societies as forums

KSC LABORATORIES AND TESTBEDS

Goal:

Maintain the KSC laboratories and testbeds as world-class resources specializing in the unique aspects of space vehicle processing, launch, landing and retrieval research, development, test, and evaluation for the purpose of serving customer needs

Objectives:

• Anticipate launch site laboratory and testbed research, analysis, investigative, testing, and emergency response requirements and be proactive in the development and maintenance of laboratory and testbed resources that:
  • Contribute to the ability to safely maintain the launch rate
  • Stand ready to quickly respond to operational needs that impede the processing flow
  • Produce equipment which improves operational efficiency, effectiveness, and safety
  • Monitor technology to appropriately maintain KSCís technological currency
  • Prepare KSC to meet future capacity, processing, and regulatory needs
• Maximize the opportunity to collaborate on research and share KSC resources with external entities to reduce the cost of operating and maintaining the laboratories and testbeds
• Maximize the development and transfer of NASA products, technologies, and expertise for application to other Government and commercial programs
• Establish as common knowledge throughout the Government, industry, and academia the existence of the KSCís applied technology development capabilities and resources

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Provide laboratory facilities which are equipped to address the unique aspects of space vehicle processing, launch, landing, and retrieval operations:
  • Instrumentation laboratories including capabilities in transducer development and testing, data acquisition systems, landing aids, hazardous gas and toxic vapor detection, contamination monitoring, and optical and acoustic instrument development
  • Communications laboratories including capabilities in advanced networking of voice, video, and data, communications standardization, network security, fiber optics, radio systems, and television
  • Data systems laboratories including capabilities in the development and maintenance or real-time launch processing checkout, monitor, and control systems
  • Mechanical engineering laboratories including capabilities in the fabrication and test of a wide variety of mechanical, structural, and electrical/electronic components and systems, and the development of ground support applications and ìsmartî tools involving robotics, artificial intelligence, expert systems, virtual reality, and fuzzy logic
  • Materials science laboratories including capabilities to develop, analyze, and evaluate materials and hardware components using chemical, physical, mechanical, and properties techniques
  • Shuttle Landing Facility including capabilities to perform flight operations involving testing of aircraft components, landing aids, and runway surfaces
  • Life sciences laboratories including research capabilities in microbiology, chemistry, microscopy, plant physiology, animal physiology, cell and tissue culture, remote sensing and geographic information systems, and biomedical and clinical medicine
• Expand and encourage the collaborative use of KSC laboratories and testbeds by aggressively marketing the capabilities to other NASA Centers, Government entities, commercial enterprises, and the public at large
• Build a materials science laboratory partnership with University of Central Florida and Lucent Technologies for excellence in materials analysis
• Encourage Government, industry, and academia to use KSCís laboratory infrastructure through enhanced cooperation, accessibility, and support services
• Using the laboratories, assist industry in the development of commercial products and services that utilize NASA technologies or have potential to further NASA interests
• Provide a ìhands-onî research and development training ground for developing NASA engineers and managers

PROCESS ANALYSIS AND IMPROVEMENT

Goal:

To improve overall performance and quality in operations

Objective:

• Utilize KSC experience and capabilities to support organizations in their process improvement activities

KSC Implementation Plans:

• Provide assistance in developing performance metrics that facilitate process improvements
• Provide process modeling services to facilitate operational analysis
• Provide methodology and expertise to facilitate appropriate benchmarking activities
• Provide independent assessments for productivity and effectiveness
• Provide human factors methodologies for incident and process evaluation
• Provide assistance to Center and organizational management in the development of process improvement strategies and appropriate metrics for measuring success
• Develop and offer training in various reengineering methodologies and change management
• Partner with our customers and suppliers in continual improvement efforts so that products, services, and customer satisfaction are achieved
• Provide industrial engineering and operations research expertise to organizations across the Center
• Utilize partnerships with local universities and small business contractors to advance the state-of-the-art in process analysis technologies
• Assist other organizations in applying Baldridge/Presidential Award for Quality criteria for organizational improvement

KSC Future Plans:

• Assist other Centers in making the operations phase of NASA programs efficient and effective
• Assist industry in process/performance improvement efforts through technology transfer agreements and industry outreach

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT

Goal:

Promote an effective implementation of Information Technology (IT) consistent with established Federal, Agency, and Enterprise policies, goals, and standards

Objectives:

• Reduce the cost of providing IT services while maintaining effective support
• Provide efficient implementation of Agency IT Initiatives

KSC Implementation Plans and Future Plans:

• Provide leadership to reduce duplication of IT services
• Provide support and assistance for implementation of Agency IT initiatives
• Promote reengineering of business functions to reduce cost of automation
• Provide assistance in development of IT performance metrics to facilitate service improvement and cost reduction

ISO PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Goal:

To integrate and focus the Center's ISO certification process

Objective:

• To demonstrate by third party certification the implementation of an integrated quality management system for KSC

KSC Implementation Plans:

• Train Management in the ISO requirements for effective leadership of and involvement in the process
• Develop an effective audit, corrective and preventive action system which will be used as a process analysis tool
• Integrate and document all important processes across directorates
• Develop a documentation control system which will facilitate communication and unite cross functional responsibilities

Future Plans

• To continue and improve activities associated with the management system and retention of ISO certification

KSC Implementation Plan Home Page

Author: Saul Barton
Curator: Carol Valdes (Carol.Valdes-1@ksc.nasa.gov)
Updated: June 10, 1997