1. “Where real problems meet real solutions”
Mercer Engineering Research Center
Capability Overview
2. • Mercer University
• Mercer School of Engineering
• MERC at a Glance
– Leadership
– Facilities
– Staff
• Core Capabilities
• Primary Customers & Partners
• Contract Vehicles
• Summary
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Overview
3. MERCER UNIVERSITY
– ENGINEERING
– MEDICINE
– LAW
– BUSINESS
– LIBERAL ARTS
Mercer University
Comprehensive Private University
– EDUCATION
– MUSIC
– PHARMACY
– NURSING
– THEOLOGY
180+ Years of Continuous Operations
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4. • Founded 1985
• Filled need for RAFB and Middle GA
• ABET accredited BSE specializations
– Electrical, Mechanical, Biomedical, Industrial, Computer,
– & Environmental
• Total enrollment: Approximately 800
• Averaging 125 engineering graduates yearly
• More than 1500 graduates
• Only Middle GA graduate engineering program
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Mercer University
School of Engineering
Largest Source of Entry Level Engineers for RAFB
5. Operating Unit of Mercer University
• Main facility in Warner Robins, GA
• Non-profit organization
• Established in 1987 with key mission to:
– Serve as the applied research arm of Mercer
University in engineering and the applied sciences
Providing unmatched interdisciplinary engineering &
applied scientific expertise and facilities in the Central
Georgia area
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MERC at a Glance
6. MERC Leadership
Dr. David T. (Dave) Barwick
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Ms. Andi Mitchell
Mr. David C. French
Mr. Jim Hundley
Mr. James A. Kocher
Mercer University
President
Mr. Bill Underwood
MERC
Exec. Director
Dr. David T. Barwick
Senior Director of
Operations
Ms. Andi Mitchell Director of Electronic &
Software Systems
Engineering
Mr. Jim Hundley
Director of Mechanical
& Aerospace Systems
Engineering
Francis Geiser
Director of Engineering
Dayton Operations
Mr. Jim Kocher
Senior Director of
Advanced Programs
Mr. David C. French
Mr. Francis Geiser
7. MERC Facility
Located in the Houston County Advanced Technology Park
• Large main facility contains 113,000 Sq Ft
• Combination office, classroom, lab & conference facility
• 5,000 Sq Ft Secure space, 600 Sq Ft SCIF capable
• 5.5 miles from Robins AFB
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8. MERC Facility
Software Development Lab
Mechanical Test
and Fabrication Labs
125 Person Auditorium 30 Person ClassroomElectronics Lab
Data Visualization Lab
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9. MERC Technical Staff
• Mechanical Engineers
• Aerospace Engineers
• Electronic Engineers
• Electrical Engineers
• Materials Engineers
• Computer Information Systems
• Software Engineers
• Mathematicians
• Physicists
• Business Specialists
• Industrial Engineers
• Rehabilitation Engineers
• Environmental Engineers
• Biomedical Engineers
• Logisticians
• 175 Full Time Engineers, Scientists, Analysts,
Management Experts, and Support Staff
• Highly Interdisciplinary
• Multiple Engineering & Scientific Professions
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10. MERC Capabilities
• Interdisciplinary engineering capability
– Integrated teams
• Mature engineering processes
– Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Level 3 processes
used across the organization
• Complete engineering lifecycle support
– Concept/Design/Development
– Testing/Validation/Certification
– Prototype/Sustainment/Obsolescence Management
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11. • Finite Element Modeling/Simulation for Legacy Weapon Systems
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Mechanical Engineering
• Structural Fatigue Analysis Supporting Modifications & Repairs
12. MERC Capabilities
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Experience with Kestrel, DoD/HPC advanced Navier-Stokes equation solver
• Dedicated Linux-based multi-node server complex for CFD analysis
• Processing power to support entire airframe analysis
• C-130 model below consists of over 58 million cells/HH-60 45 million cells
• Evaluate pressure distribution and drag under various flight conditions
• Engineering analysis supports placement of external modifications
• Results also influence load estimates for structural models
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Mechanical Engineering
14. MERC Capabilities
Human Factors and Biomechanics
• Redesign of Work to Optimize Human Performance
• Human Factors Analysis and Biomechanics Design
• Ergonomic Risk Analysis, Mitigation, and Training
• Rehabilitation Engineering for Work, Learning, and Independence
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Redesign of MH-53J/M Flight Engineer Seat to Improve Ergonomic Access, Crash
Protection, and Situational Awareness over Extended Day and Night Time Missions
15. MERC Capabilities
Human Factors and Biomechanics
• Physician Assisted Functional Job Analysis Program
• Integrated Medical, Ergonomic and Biomechanical Services
• Job Analysis, Transferrable Skills Analysis, Ergonomic & Biomechanical Risk
• Robins AFB Maintenance Complex has Documented an 80:1 ROI
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16. MERC Capabilities
• Optimizing Manpower, Materials, and Tooling for Maintenance
• Design the Work for Safety and Efficiency and Verify Through Simulation
• Right Skill Sets and Right Number of People by Specific Work Operation
• Pre-position of Material and Tools to Facilitate Safe and Effective Actions
• Example: C-130 Depot Maintenance Optimization
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Industrial Engineering
18. MERC Capabilities
Automatic Test Systems
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• Custom Designed Automatic Test Systems for Radar and EW
• Software Test Program Sets
• Interface Test Adapters
• Complete Cable Harnesses
• Versatile Depot Automatic Test System (VDATS) Experience
• Member of DoD Family of Standard Automatic Test Systems
• Software Test Program Set Re-host from Legacy Diagnostic Systems
ALR-69 Software Support Station ALE-47 Software Support Station ALQ-161 Wire Wrapped Chassis Tester
19. Electronic Warfare (EW)
• RF/IR/EO Spectrum Software Expertise
• Hardware and Software Test Expertise
• ALR-46/69/69A Radar Warning Receiver
• AAR-44 Missile Warning Receiver
• ALE-47 Threat Countermeasures System
• F-15 Tactical EW System (TEWS)
• ALQ-161 Integrated EW System
• ALQ-172/155/122 EW Systems
• RF Deinterleaving Algorithm Development
• Mission Data Threat Databases
• EW Software Toolsets
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20. MERC Capabilities
Software Engineering
Development Methods Development Environment Languages
Agile Development Classified Processing C/C++/C#
Object-Oriented MS Visual Studio ADA
Waterfall VX Works Pearl/JAVA
Iterative GNAT ATLAS/Assembly
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21. MERC Capabilities
Energy Management Systems
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• ISO50001 Energy Management System & Audit
• Metering and Information System Design
• Verification/Validation of Energy Savings Programs
• Cyber security
• Renewable and Alternative Energy Sources
22. MERC Capabilities
DHS RF Interference Analysis
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• Research/Analysis of First Responder Personal Area Network
• First Responders Often Carry 4+ Wireless Devices
• Communication Challenges Span Civil and Military Networks
• Diverse Set of Communication Devices Across Agencies
• Human Factor Evaluation During Critical Operations
• Biometric Monitoring During Search and Rescue Operations
• Impact of RF Interference on Human Decision Making
• Partnered with Guardian Center for Realistic Test Environment
23. Primary Customers & Partners
Government Agencies & Services
Some Key Industry Partners
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24. FAR Exceptions
FAR Subpart 6.3 – Other Than Full and Open Competition
• 6.302-1 – Only one responsible source
• 6.302-2 – Unusual and compelling urgency
• 6.302-3 – Industrial Mobilization; Engineering,
Developmental, or Research Capability; or Expert Services
• (a)(2)(ii) – “To establish or maintain an essential
engineering, research, or development capability to be
provided by an educational or other nonprofit institution
or a federally funded research and development center”
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25. MERC Contract Vehicles
• Prime:
• Robins AFB Basic Ordering Agreement FA8509-12-G-0001
• GSA Professional Services Schedule (PSS)
• SeaPort Enhanced (Seaport-e)
• Consortium for Command, Control, Communication and
Computer Technology (C5) Other Transaction Authority (OTA)
• With Partners:
• One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (OASIS)
• Defense Systems Technical Area Tasks (DS TAT)
• GSA Alliant Government Wide Acquisition Contract
• Advanced Expeditionary Warfare Development (ARL)
• Design and Engineering Support Program (DESP III)
• Army Prototype Integration Facility (PIF)
New Business
Mr. David C. French
Advanced Programs Director
dfrench@merc-mercer.org
478-953-6800 X2470
Contracts
Ms. Andi Mitchell
Operations Director
amitchell@merc-mercer.org
478-953-6800 X2410
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26. MERC Summary
• Been in partnership with DOD for 29 years
• MERC Qualifies for the use of FAR 6.302-3
• Full-time internal technical and contracting staff
• Recognized source of expertise
– Engineers, Scientists, Logisticians
• Unmatched facility and equipment for Essential
Engineering Services
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