Military Programs

The Fort Worth District’s Military Branch is a dedicated and multi-disciplined supporting 16 Army and Air Force installations and other Military customers throughout New Mexico, Louisiana, and Texas. The District currently, manages a robust design and construction MILCON and reimbursable program totaling of $6.2 billion. Through a dedicated workforce, the Fort Worth District successfully executed $4.4 billion in Base Realignment and Closure Program Projects. Projects were delivered on time and within budget by September 15, 2011. MILCON Transformation enabled the team to reduce construction duration by 30 percent, cost by 15 percent, attain Army sustainability goals, and exceed Small Business goals. The team continues to grow strong in its service to its customers. The District strives to improve processes and execution methods to maximize the quality of the facilities for Soldiers, Airmen, and their families.

With BRAC 2005 in its portfolio, the District continues to serve the nation’s military with new and challenging projects. With the $800 million San Antonio Military Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio – Fort Sam Houston completed under BRAC 05, the team is now tasked with delivering three new major medical centers valued at $2.35 billion. The Ambulatory Care Clinic is a Department of Defense Medical funded project replacing the Wilford Hall Medical Center at JBSA - Lackland Air Force Base, the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Cavazos is an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act project and the third project is a Medical Center Replacement at Fort Bliss also funded by Department of Defense Medical. All hospital/medical projects feature the latest concepts in Evidence Based Design and World Class Medical Facilities incorporating best practices of premier private health facilities in the country as well as collaborative input by military healthcare professionals into a design that supports the unique needs of military personnel and their families. All projects are being designed to meet silver or gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification levels. Included within this medical program are various health and dental clinics at JBSA, Fort Bliss, and White Sands Missile Range.

Center of Energy Expertise

Center of Standization (COS)

The Secretary of the Army established the Energy Initiatives Office Task Force which was fully operational on September 15, 2011. As a result the Fort Worth District developed the Center of Energy Expertise to build Army resilience through renewable energy. The Fort Worth District’s Center of Energy expertise will provide energy sustainability and conservation measures, program management actions, technical support, financing and contract vehicles for the Fort Worth, Galveston, Little Rock, and Tulsa Districts to meet Federal mandated energy requirements. The energy capabilities incorporate programs, budget, and technical responsibilities for implementing USACE Energy Program to include NetZero buildings for energy, water and waste, determine renewable energy criteria and performance contracts, develop cooperative agreements for private investment opportunities, perform energy audits, develop a set of Regional Energy Models for Adapt-Build projects for climate zones to meet ASHRAE 189.1 energy efficiency compliance standards, deliver energy checklists for design charrettes and overall integration of energy programmatic, technical, and execution actions.

Specific SWF project energy initiatives include: Fort Bliss, Texas designated as integrated Net Zero Installation to achieve Net Zero energy status by 2015 and Net Zero Water and Waste status by 2018 utilizing renewable and sustainable technologies. Additionally, Fort Johnson and Fort Cavazos designated as NetZero Installations for waste. A few of the potential FY12 Energy Actions include establishment of the Regional Technical Center, development of construction criteria with renewable energy generation, update Adapt Build Energy Compliance, conduct energy audit evaluations, and pursue the enhanced commissioning efforts for our military facilities.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

The Fort Worth District has been a leader in the implementation of LEED and Sustainable Design elements into its program, aggressively pursuing and exceeding ever more challenging requirements. Our District has already received over a dozen LEED Silver Certifications, and three LEED Gold Certifications. SWF expects to have approximately 20 additional Silver Certifications and several more Gold Certifications by the conclusion of FY12, at which point all projects will be formally certified. In addition to achieving numerous Silver and Gold Certifications, SWF has also focused intently on the benefits provided through improvements in energy and water efficiency. Projects routinely exceed minimum LEED and ASHRAE building energy efficiencies by 40 percent and in some cases 50 percent and beyond – placing the majority of our new construction projects in the most efficient 10% of buildings constructed in the United States. Although most of our improved design elements are not obvious, visible, or architecturally apparent (e.g. waste heat recovery, improved building envelope integrity, increased insulation, proper building orientation, day-lighting, and high-efficiency motors, boilers, and equipment), they do the job to minimize energy use and costs. This is done in compliance with the Federal Leadership in High Performance and Sustainable Building Principles, the overarching goal of which is to uncompromisingly support Mission requirements while simultaneously lessening environmental impacts and reducing lifecycle building construction and operational costs. In short, more fight, less fuel!

Currently there are 13 ranges under construction at Fort Bliss totaling $191 million. This includes two Digital Multipurpose Ranges and the Army’s first Digital Air Ground Integration Range. The DAGIR will include door gunnery capability, high angle target, live fire convoy, and aviation urban operations. The DAGIR is scheduled to be in operation by June 2013. Other ranges under construction include: two Heavy Sniper Ranges, two Multipurpose Machine Gun Ranges, one Infantry Platoon Battle Course, two Scout Reconnaissance Crew Engagement Gunnery Complex Ranges and other small weapon ranges.

Military Projects

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Carl R. Darnell Medical Center Replacement

Carl R. Darnell Medical Center ReplacementThe new 947,000 square-foot medical center is approximately 60 percent larger than the existing 45-year-old Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center. It specifically addresses Fort Hood’s most pressing needs in the areas of behavioral health, medical and surgical specialty clinics, and pediatric primary care.

Construction will be accomplished using a "design-build" acquisition strategy in which a single firm coordinates the design and construction. This is both the largest design-build medical facility project and the largest ARRA project in the Department of Defense to date. Construction started in June 2011, the scheduled construction completion date is May 2014 with the medical center being fully operational in August 2015. New hospital features include:

 Three parking garages: 5,117 total spaces; 2,622 covered, 2,495 outdoor

 Utility plant and interstitial mechanical flooring

 Approximately 66,000 square feet for behavioral health services

 Fitness center for staff; fitness trail and track; outside healing gardens

 LEED Gold Energy Certification

 Automatic guided vehicles for deliveries and supplies

 151 beds

 Six-story tower

 

Joint Base San Antonio Ambulatory Care Center

Joint Base San Antonio Ambulatory Care CenterDesign and construction of the 680,000 SF JBSA – Lackland AFB ACC is being accomplished in four phases. The 2005 BRAC commission directive initiated the conversion of Wilford Hall Medical Center complex from an inpatient to an outpatient care facility. The groundbreaking ceremony was held April 20, 2011.

All of the inpatient care was transferred to the former Brooke Army Medical Center, since renamed the San Antonio Military Medical Center. Before the transfer of inpatient care responsibility, Air Force medical leaders reassessed the requirements for WHMC and determined that it should be realigned as an Ambulatory Care Center to provide outpatient medical services to basic trainees, the local military and the larger retiree communities.

Designed as a World Class Medical Facility, the JBSA – Lackland AFB ACC incorporates the advanced healing tenets of Evidence-Based Design, environmental sustainability (minimum LEED Silver certification) as well as design innovations to promote patient centric care in support of our warriors and their families.

Current construction of the first phase, a FY 2010 project, consists of an administrative wing, a central energy plant and a 2000 car parking garage.

The second phase, a FY 2011 project, awarded September 2011 consists of clinical and surgical wings. The third phase, a FY 2012 project, to be awarded August 2012 consists of clinical and other medical support facilities. The fourth and final phase, a FY 2015 project, will consist of the demolition of WHMC and final site restoration.

JBSA –Lackland AFB ACC will focus primarily on ambulatory care for the military and retiree population with complete beneficial occupancy expected in March 2015.

 

Long endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle

Long endurance Multi-Intelligence VehicleOn June 14th, 2010, the Army signed an agreement to create a hybrid airship to provide the Army with constant reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence. This football field sized aircraft is known as the Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle, awarded to Northrop Grumman. HQUSACE, Combat Readiness Support Team has tasked their SWF Forward Support Office to identity and validate facility and infrastructure requirements for the proposed new equipment system. The LEMV is a manned or unmanned airship with the capability to remain in the air for more than 21 days and operating at 20,000 feet above sea level, continuously gathering intelligence. This spring, the LEMV will be tested and if successful will be fielded and used in theater.
 

Range Program in Fort Bliss

Range Program in Fort BlissThe Fort Bliss Training Complex consists of three major areas -- McGregor Ranges, Dona Ana Ranges, and the North and South Training Areas. McGregor Ranges include McGregor Range, Meyer Small Arms Range, SHORAD Range, and Oro Grande Range. Each of the ranges has an appropriate complement of range support facilities. Within the FBTC, there are three base camps (McGregor, Dona Ana, and Oro Grande).

The training activities occurring on these ranges are extremely diverse and are dependent on the unique characteristics of the terrain of each area. The type of training varies from small unit ground troop maneuvers, to aerial training missions including parachute drops, helicopter and other aircraft operations, live artillery fire, combat vehicle maneuvering, and high altitude missile firings. Fort Bliss supports the training requirements of a variety of U.S. and allied military units as well as other federal agencies.

Range Program in Fort BlissThe natural environmental setting and diversity of the Fort Bliss Training Complex are unique among U.S. military installations. The combined ranges and training areas encompass more than 1 million acres, approximately 70 miles from north to south and approximately 30 miles from east to west. Elevations range from 3,900 feet near the South Training Area to 8,600 feet in the Organ Mountains. Within its boundaries are grazing, forest, and remote areas that support hunting and other forms of public outdoor recreation. These lands also contain sensitive ecosystems, and protected cultural and historic resources.

Ft Bliss has experienced a significant population growth and with it a need for new facilities. This increase was driven by three Army initiatives: the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure, the Integrated Global Posturing and Base Stationing initiatives and the Army’s Modular Force Initiative. As a result, more than 20,000 soldiers and 30,000 family members were brought to the Installation.

 

San Antonio Military Medical Center

San Antonio Military Medical CenterThe SAMMC consist of a 305,000 square foot renovation of the existing Brooke Army Medical Center combined with a new 767,000 square foot Medical Tower, a 5000 vehicle parking garage and a Central Energy Plant.

The addition of the new hospital tower was necessary to provide new clinical and administrative space needed to accommodate additional patients and increased military population as resulting from the 2005 BRAC commission directive.

The 760,000 square foot facility is internally connected with the original BAMC on five floors. This addition includes a seven-story inpatient bed tower, four-story ancillary care center, and three-story outpatient clinical and administrative section.

The new facility includes an expansion to the Emergency Department and the U.S. Army Institute for Surgical Research Burn Center; provides new and additional locations for outpatient clinics, intensive care units, a behavioral health inpatient unit, nursing units; as well as provides 15 operating rooms and houses additional administrative space.

The tower includes a unique rooftop helipad, the only one in the Department of Defense to facilitate emergency treatment.

SAMMC is one of 15 hospitals in the United States that holds both Level I trauma certification and accreditation from the American Burn Association. The facility is the only Department of Defense Level I trauma center in the continental United States and houses the only burn center in the DOD. This world class facility will serve a large retiree population and contingent of wounded warriors requiring rehabilitation services. Partial beneficial occupancy was taken in FY 2011 with a phased transition into the facility and full beneficial occupancy is expected in FY 2012.

 

THAAD and JLENS

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense and Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System Projects are air defense systems to detect incoming threats, acquire targets, and direct defensive action. The THAAD system is a weapons systems component of the air defense system. JLENS acquisition and tracking system is capable of working hand in hand with other weapons systems in other service branches.

THAAD

The FY 10-12 THAAD Program at Fort Bliss and Fort Cavazos consists of constructing operations and maintenance facilities. The program calls for Tactical Vehicle Maintenance Facilities with Tactical Vehicle Parking, and Company Operations Facilities with covered vehicle parking and a private vehicle parking Lot. The program cost for THAAD is $95 million.

JLENS

The FY 10-13 JLENS Program at Fort Bliss consists of the construction of facilities for operations and maintenance of several batteries, Unaccompanied Enlisted Personnel Housing facilities, a classroom and training building with a concrete training pad, and tactical training sites on Fort Bliss Ranges located in New Mexico.

 

William Beaumont Medical Center Replacement

Design of the Fort Bliss Replacement Hospital is underway. The new Fort Bliss Replacement Hospital Project includes the Construction of a new facility to replace the existing William Beaumont Army Medical Center. The facility will consist of a main hospital, clinics, administrative building, clinical investigation building, central utility plant, access control points, and surface parking. The Fort Bliss Hospital Replacement is designed to be a 1,132,460 square foot World-Class Medical Facility replacing the current William Beaumont Army Medical Center on Fort Bliss. The project is being designed by HDR Architects in coordination with the Fort Worth District and Health Affairs Planning Agency. The project will be constructed through the Design-Bid-Build procurement process. The Project Delivery Team has endeavored to incorporate in this project state of the art planning and design ideas including the latest research in Evidence-Based Design and sustainability as well as design innovations promoting family and patient-centered care. The commitment of the PDT is to attain and achieve the long term goal of a World Class Medical Facility in support of our Warriors and their Families. The new hospital is expected to open in fall 2020. The design effort has adopted the following guiding principles:William Beaumont Medical Center Replacement

 Develop a ‘State-of-the-Art’ World Class Military Medical Center.

 Provide a sustainable, adaptable, and flexible facility supporting the required healthcare delivery to military personnel and their families.

 Achieve minimum LEED Silver Certification.

 Incorporate Evidence Based Design and Patient/Family Centered Care concepts and design elements.

 Design an aesthetically pleasing facility within the southwest regional environmental context in cultural harmony with Fort Bliss and El Paso communities.