DAHLGREN, Va. –
At the beginning of February 2021, Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) entered into a substantial contract award with nine contractors. The nine contractors are part of an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract, designed to help support NSWCDD’s infrastructure. An example of supporting our infrastructure is the complete Building 1490 conference room and lobby renovation completed via NSWCDD contract in the summer of 2020.
The nine contracting companies – ACTS-MELTECH JV1, Inc.; Athena Construction Group, Inc.; Cremer Global Services, Inc., Encon Desbuild JV2 Limited Liability Co.; Hsu Egi JV, LLC.; Matos Builders; New Dominion Construction, LLC.; Signature Renovations; and Trinity USA Contracting – are now in a position to support NSWCDD whenever a major maintenance and repair requirement arises.
NSWCDD Contracting Officer Daniel ‘Dan’ Belcher compares an IDIQ contract to the government’s version of a marketplace like Amazon. Consumers can search for a particular product, choose from amongst several vendors that are competitive, and meet terms and conditions set by the marketplace.
“By comparison, the need is fulfilled by fully qualified and vetted sellers, or contractors, in a more efficient and effective manner. This speeds up the whole process – from requesting a proposal to the product’s delivery,” explained Belcher. “Thanks to this IDIQ, we have the ability to provide maintenance and renovation of facilities on base in support of NSWC Dahlgren as a whole to better support what we do from a Resources and Development (R&D) perspective. Now, the process is expedited using our authority under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2017’s Section 233.”
According to the NDAA of 2017, Section 233 allows for the creation of a “pilot program for the enhancement of the research, development, test, and evaluation centers of the Department of Defense.” Thanks to the legislation, Naval R&D activities like NSWCDD are able to take care of some internal facility needs. By taking some of the load off Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) in Washington, D.C., NSWCDD is able to shorten some maintenance, restoration, and construction timelines.
NAVFAC Washington oversees the planning, design, and construction of shore facilities belonging to the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and other federal clients in the area.
“The authorization allowed us the ability to step up and take care of ourselves,” explained NSWCDD Infrastructure Division head Steve Eckel. “My division – and the whole Operations Department – now have the ability to execute project requirements by way of NSWCDD-executed contracts. We still buy a lot of services from NAVFAC, but we’re doing more in-house. This new contract will allow us to do even more.” Belcher agrees, calling it “another tool in the toolbox.”
According to Eckel, “NSWCDD has nearly tripled the amount of money we spend on large maintenance and repair projects in the last eight years. That’s millions of dollars a year that we’re spending on projects alone.”
Eckel’s division handles the daily maintenance needs of more than 370 facilities and 2 million gross square feet at NSWCDD, including buildings, test pads, and even shelters for explosive operations.
Although it took a year to see to completion, the IDIQ will positively impact the execution of maintenance, repair, and construction on-site for at least the next five years.
“This contracting tool improves our ability to execute maintenance and repair for NSWCDD buildings. We’re always looking to be faster and better, so when one of our facilities has a problem, we can apply funding and get things fixed sooner in support of NSWCDD’s mission and people,” said Eckel.