ARES Awarded NASA Wallops Range Contract
NASA has selected ARES Technical Services Corporation of McLean, Virginia, to provide launch range operations support at the agency’s Wallops Range in Virginia.
ARES is committed to executing a seamless and collaborative contract transition that prioritizes mission continuity, workforce stability, and operational excellence. Our transition approach is grounded in proven NASA range-support experience, disciplined program management, and close coordination with NASA leadership, mission partners, and the incumbent workforce.
Throughout the transition and into full contract performance, ARES will focus on:
- Maintaining uninterrupted launch and range operations
- Retaining and supporting a highly skilled workforce
- Upholding safety, reliability, and mission assurance standards
- Delivering responsive, high-quality technical and operational support
“This award represents an important milestone for ARES as we continue to expand our launch and range capabilities in support of the nation’s space and national security missions. Wallops has a long legacy of enabling complex, high-tempo range operations, and we are honored to build on that foundation. Our team looks forward to partnering closely with NASA and the exceptional professionals at Wallops Flight Facility to deliver safe, reliable, and forward-leaning range services that support the next generation of launch activities.”
-Thomas P’Simer, CEO
What is the Wallops Range Contract?
The NASA Wallops Range Contract is a long-term services agreement with NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia that provides comprehensive launch range operations support.
Under this contract, the contractor delivers a wide range of mission-critical services that enable safe, reliable, and efficient launch and flight activities from Wallops. These services include:
- Launch range operations support such as radar, telemetry, tracking, logistics, and communications for flight vehicles including rockets, aircraft, satellites, balloons, and unmanned aerial systems.
- Information and computer systems services to maintain and support networked systems used in launch and range activities.
- Testing, installation, and sustainment of communications and electronic systems at launch facilities, range control centers, and testing facilities.
- Range engineering support and technology sustainment to ensure ongoing readiness and capability improvements.
The contract has a one-year base period starting February 10, 2026, with four one-year option periods that, if all are exercised, could extend performance through 2031. It is structured with a cost-plus-fixed-fee core and an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) component, allowing NASA to issue task orders on a cost-plus-fixed-fee or firm-fixed-price basis as needed.
The NASA GSFC SMAS contract provides support to the GSFC Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA) Directorate at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). Goddard’s SMA Directorate provides support to GSFC projects in the development of safety and mission assurance requirements, and the independent surveillance, audit, review and assessment of design, development, test, and Mission Operations activities on-site and at supplier facilities.
The GSFC SMAS contract includes the following scope of work:
- Flight, Operations, and Ground Systems Assurance
- System Safety Engineering
- Range Safety Engineering
- Reliability Engineering
- Mission Software Assurance Engineering
- Quality Engineering
- Workmanship Services
- Metrology and Calibration/Repair Service of Measurement and Test Equipment
- Lifting Devices & Equipment Certifications
- Pressure Vessel Systems Certifications
- Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Contrl
- Training
- Systems and Heritage Reviews
- Quality Management Systems
- Range Operations
- Explosives Safety program management
- Range Flight Safety Analysis
- Flight Termination System Analysis
- Range Safety Software Safety Analysis
Interested in working with us?
Frequently Asked Questions
ARES understands that contract transitions can create uncertainty and stress for the incumbent workforce. We are fully committed to making the transition to the NASA Wallops Range Contract as smooth, transparent, and seamless as possible.
ARES and our teammates bring extensive experience transitioning contracts of similar size and complexity at NASA. We will work closely with all stakeholders to proactively address transition activities, minimize disruption, and ensure continuity of operations in support of Wallops missions.
This page—and the frequently asked questions (FAQs) provided here—are intended to give you insight into our transition approach and what to expect in the coming weeks. Please continue to check back for updates and additional information as the transition progresses.
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The Wallops Range Contract will be managed as an integrated team, ensuring a seamless work environment. In developing our offer for the Wallops Range Contract, we ensured that all companies offer a similar benefits and pay structure. Staff allocations are currently being worked and will be communicated once you’ve applied.
Please submit your resume as soon as possible through this transition website using the link above.
Officially, the transition period begins on January 9, 2026 with Contract Start on February 10, 2026.
Is the Wallops Range Contract (WRC) the follow-on to the current Range Operations Contract (ROC) II?
Yes, WRC is intended to be a direct follow-on of the requirements under the ROC II contract.
Recruitment Event Schedule
We will be hosting an In-Person Open House on Thursday, January 15th at 4:30pm EST in the Wallops Auditorium (Register here).
Contact Us
Please contact us with any additional questions or to submit your resume if you are a Wallops Range Contract incumbent employee.
Email us at wrc@arescorporation.com.