Air Force agencies publish guidance for construction projects

LACKLAND AFB, TEXAS — Air Force civil engineers now have a clearer path to follow when seeking assistance for executing their construction projects on base.

The Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment, in conjunction with the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency, released guidance in April on their process of managing and executing sustainment, restoration, and modernization construction projects, also known as SR&M.

“We want to let the base’s civil engineering department know that we are here and we can help them out,” said AFCEE construction branch chief Ben Kindt. “Sometimes the base does not have enough resources or manpower to complete all necessary projects, and that is where we can step in.”

The joint guidance document spells out the process for using AFCEE and AFCESA to handle SR&M projects. It also clarifies the types of SR&M that can be handled by each agency. AFCEE handles vertical SR&M and environmental projects while AFCESA handles horizontal SR&M and energy projects.

Vertical SR&M pertains to work done on the building itself and anything inside, while horizontal deals with work outside the building including runways, roads, utilities, and parking lots.

“We want to let our customers know that AFCEE has the appropriate expertise and is poised and ready to help the bases with their SR&M projects,” said AFCEE project manager Micah Shuler.

According to Shuler, there are a number of reasons why it is beneficial to use AFCEE to handle SR&M projects. AFCEE’s customers can expect to see project status, funding amount, and timeline for all projects currently being executed due to their open checkbook policy.

“Possibly the biggest advantage in using AFCEE for SR&M projects is that it allows the base to get more done with less,” Shuler said. “When you use AFCEE for your high dollar projects, it reserves your contract capacity.”

AFCEE has three contracting options available for SR&M projects: the heavy engineering repair and construction contract, also known as HERC, which cover renovations, minor construction, demolition and other SR&M projects; architect-engineer services, or 4P A-E, including designs, studies, investigations, analyses, and Title II; and advisory and assistance contracts, also known as GEITA, covering construction quality assurance, programming and planning support, and construction management.

AFCEE and AFCESA accept SR&M projects through a clearing house process. In this process, project managers review, prioritize, and approve SR&M projects submitted for execution. The clearing house verifies project alignment with the agency’s core competencies and recommends a course of action for projects that do not fall within their scope of service offerings.

AFCEE has experience executing SR&M projects. To name a few recent projects, AFCEE has renovated the old clinic at Randolph AFB, with renovations and improvements totaling over $10 million. Some of the improvements included new lighting, skylights, expanded waiting room areas, new furniture, flooring, signage, and landscaping.

AFCEE is also in the process of renovating dormitories at Dover AFB, converting the old 4-room, 2 bathroom units floor plan to all private rooms with an adjacent private bathroom. This $7.2 million dollar project is scheduled for completion in Aug. 2010.

AFCEE will also be handling a $9 million renovation project at Randolph AFB on the Taj Mahal building, the most famous Air Force structure. Built in 1929, this building is the home of the 902 Flying Training Wing Headquarters as well as the base commander. The inside plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, and communications equipment will be modernized and replaced, while preserving the historical, 1920’s vintage appearance.

For more information about AFCEE’s SR&M program, please visit www.afcee.af.mil.