Dwayne C. Brown
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                      June 21, 1990
(Phone:  202/453-8956)

Jim Elliott 
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.  
(Phone:  301/286-8955)


RELEASE: 90-86

CONTEL TO TRANSFER TITLE OF TDRSS TO NASA



     Officials of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), 
Greenbelt, Md., and Contel Federal Systems, Chantilly, Va., 
signed an agreement today transfering the title of the Tracking 
and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) to NASA, effective July 
1, 1990.


     Under the agreement, Contel will transfer ownership of the 
space communications system 42 months earlier than called for 
under the original contract.  Contel also will get a 21-month 
extension, to Sept. 30, 1995, to continue operating the three 
on-orbit satellites and the Whites Sands ground terminal.


     "The early transfer of the title, along with other contract 
modifications, is expected to save the government $16 million", 
according to William A. Hatchl, TDRSS Project Procurement Manager 
at GSFC.


     The original 1976 contract covered construction of the six 
spacecraft and ground communications terminal, maintenance and 
operations for 10 years.

                            - end -





TO:  MDS/PRA Group
     1615 L Street, N.W. - Suite 100
     Washington, D.C. 20036

DATE & TIME:  JUNE 22, 1990

ORDERED BY:  Edward Campion
NASA Headquarters/LMD
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20546             PHONE:  202/453-8400

PROJECT TITLE:  Release No:  90-86

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MAIL DATE:  JUNE 25, 1990

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