Independent contractor consulting services supporting the NCMS Photonics (Free Space Optical…

George Mason University awarded a contract to Jonathan D Anderson on July 20, 2026, for independent contractor consulting services supporting the National Center for Microgravity Sciences (NCMS) Photonics program, specifically the Free Space Optical Communications initiative in Year 3. The contract was awarded to the Rapid Prototyping Research Center (RPRC) under Principal Investigator Eric Vollmecke in Virginia. The total contract value is $14,000.00, with deliverables directed to Nicholas Clark.

The scope of work encompasses program management activities including development of program plans, statements of work, Integrated Master Schedules, customer briefings, and monthly and interim/final status reports. Additional services include identification of operational scenarios and concepts of employment, systems engineering support, stakeholder liaison functions, and guidance on stakeholder role optimization. The contract period of performance runs from March 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, at an hourly rate of $200 per hour on a not-to-exceed basis. The award was made on a sole-source basis, as documented in the attached justification.