Additional funds and teamwork were the key elements for Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) onboard Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) breaking its project record in FY18 and executing $28 million dollars in projects.

Some of NAVFAC’s biggest facility wins for FY18 included the P-257 Production Training Facility; Berth 18/19 Repair; Building 298 Replacement Roof and HVAC; Fire Alarm Loop 2 System Repairs; and Stevens Street Sinkhole Repair.

“The biggest difference from previous years was having more projects ready to go and then getting the funding we needed to do them,” said Keith Sellers, Deputy Public Works Officer. “That funding became available which was fantastic and allowed us to award more projects, vice not waiting until the next fiscal year to get them started like we have done in the past. This is the first time this has happened to this magnitude and what a historical event.”

While contending with the Continuing Resolution in FY18, the team pursued to push 36 projects through in less than eight weeks at end of fiscal year. The team is requesting additional funding in FY19 to further address critical facility deficiencies.  For Cmdr. Ben Wainwright, Norfolk Naval Shipyard Public Works Officer, receiving the funding for the projects was essential, and taking care of the shipyard and its six annexes takes a lot of work, but for him, it’s really teamwork that makes things happen and come together.

“Every part of our success is a team event from beginning to end,” explained Wainwright. “Think of our process like a relay. Everyone has a part from the requirements development and planning of a project to the design, acquisition and execution which includes shipyard, public works personnel and contractors working very close together every step of the way.”

The combination of working long hours, and support from NAVFAC MIDLANT interns and newly hired personnel, were essential ingredients in getting all of the pending construction contracts awarded before the end of the fiscal year.

“Their efforts were very valuable and helped us tremendously in processing more contract actions in FY18 in record time,” said Kathy Schanze, PWD Portsmouth Supervisory Contracting Officer. “We were actually able to get everything done and go home at a normal time instead of working until midnight getting everything submitted before the closing of the fiscal year.”

Meeting deadlines and team involvement are both vital when it comes to construction projects. Although, one of the after affects the public works team doesn’t get to see as often as they would like is how the quality of life has changed in an office, living space or a work environment.

“Knowing we can design, award, and complete projects that correct critical facility deficiencies and support the mission of the shipyard is very rewarding and exciting,” explained JoAnn Price, PWD Portsmouth Facilities Management Division Director.

Their positive attitudes and desire to make things better in the future hasn’t skipped a beat. It doesn’t matter if a project costs one million or $11 million dollars, the PWD Portsmouth team is standing tall side-by-side ready to conquer obstacles both now and into the future.

“We had some great accomplishments with some big construction projects that ended a banner year for us,” explained Wainwright. “I am looking forward to continuing to build our team and seeing what FY19 brings. We have a very motivated team and being able to challenge them and watch them succeed together makes me very proud. At the end of the day, after getting past the obstacles, what we accomplish together with our partners makes every bit of it worth it.”

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