Federal economic stimulus to fund projects at WPAFB Published March 27, 2009 By Derek Kaufman 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Base civil engineers here expect to receive more than $22.8 million in federal stimulus funding designed to help jumpstart the economy, repair aging infrastructure and support energy independence. Defense Department officials announced Friday March 20 the list of military installations slated to receive funding from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Of the overall $787 billion stimulus package - signed into law Feb. 17 by President Obama - a little less than one percent, roughly $7.4 billion supports Defense-related appropriations. The Air Force is expected to receive about $1.7 billion of that total, Pentagon officials said. The facilities sustainment, restoration, and modernization projects at Wright-Patterson - 85 in all - will support infrastructure repairs, energy efficiency improvements and quality of life, said Col. Bradley Spacy, 88th Air Base Wing commander here. A focus on infrastructure has been one of Spacy's top priorities since taking command here in July 2008. "Collectively, these projects are a big deal in repairing the base's aging infrastructure. Much of the needed work has been unfunded for quite some time," Col. Spacy said. "The projects will improve roofs, utility systems, roads and airfield pavements, force protection and quality of life for our Airmen, as well as energy efficiency." Final details for exactly when the various projects will be awarded and begin are still being worked. The current execution strategy is to use a mix of existing contracts, potentially along with some new contracts, said Barbara O'Brien, deputy engineering division chief with the 88th Air Base Wing Civil Engineer Directorate at Wright-Patt. Nearly all of the contracts will be awarded by the 88th Contracting Squadron, which oversees operational contracting actions for the base. The existing contract vehicles include the base SABER contract (Simplified Acquisition of Base Engineer Requirements). Civil engineers across the Air Force regularly use SABER for small-scale renovations, structural repairs, and building reconfigurations that do not require a great deal of up front engineering design. Additionally, existing multi-year, indefinite delivery - indefinite quantity contracts with a number of on-call vendors will likely support work such as airfield pavements, roadwork and roofing repairs. On-call contracts have line items for specific work pre-negotiated up front, so the repairs can be rapidly accomplished when needed and funds made available. Wright-Patterson has several on-call contractors available for various categories of construction, repair and services. "While competing for new contracts is an option if needed, we currently are planning to use on-call contracts and the SABER contract for the majority of Wright-Patt's projects," said Ms. O'Brien. Lt. Col. Matthew Stevens, 88th Contracting Squadron commander, said all contracts related to the stimulus will include new Federal Acquisition Regulation clauses with special reporting requirements by the contractors, so American taxpayers will see exactly how their money is being spent. Contracting officials and civil engineers are awaiting details from the Pentagon on the FAR clauses, which are a pre-requisite for awards and work to begin. "We recognize the impact these stimulus projects will have on Wright-Patt and to local businesses, but it would be premature to speculate on potential contract awards until we have all of the regulatory requirements," Stevens said. He added the 88 Contracting Squadron is working to comply with the intent of the stimulus package and solicitation notices will be issued as soon as his office receives final implementation instructions. "We all want this to be as transparent as possible. A public website has been established where anyone can go to see how this money is spent," Spacy said. A major emphasis is repaving of roads, parking lots, and a re-build of manholes across the installation. Replacement of high energy efficiency lighting is planned for a large number of buildings across the base, along with replacement of steam lines and repairs to steam traps and improving insulation to lower energy costs, said Gavin Jones, base energy program manager. Replacement of some electrical subsystems switching gear and an air conditioner which supports the base computer network is included. Also planned are upgrades and installation of perimeter security fencing, as well as enhancements at several base gates to improve security, traffic flow, and protection of gate sentries from the elements. Repairs and improvements at the Pitsenbarger Airmen's Dining Facility in the Kittyhawk Area of the base are among the approved projects, Resurface of a running track located near Kittyhawk's dormitories is also planned. To view a complete list of the specific DoD federal stimulus projects, visit http://www.defenselink.mil/recovery . Progress on stimulus fund projects can be viewed on line at http://www.recovery.gov . Wright-Patterson Air Force Base 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funding Breakdown - Energy Efficiency $ 6 million - Roofing $ 2.7 million - Utilities $ 264,000 - Pavements/roads/grounds $ 3.7million - Quality of Life $ 304,000 - Operations $ 9.8 million - TOTAL $22.8 million