Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a $31 million contract November 19 to CRP Contracting, a small business out of Columbus, Ohio, for airfield lighting repairs at Naval Air Station (NAS) Kingsville, Texas.

The project will upgrade the airfield’s antiquated system to include installation of new energy efficient guidance signs, replacement of wind cones, new runway approach lighting with energy efficient fixtures, and repairs to the airfield’s taxiway lighting and signage.

"This project has been a long time coming and these repairs are vital to ensure the safety of our student pilots," said NAS Kingsville Commanding Officer Capt. Erik Spitzer. "I am very pleased that our airfield lighting issues will soon be resolved."

The contract completion date is anticipated for August 2020.

NAS Kingsville is the home to Training Air Wing TWO (TRAWING 2), which consists of two jet training squadrons, responsible for training intermediate student naval aviators for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and international allies.

The current airfield lighting system is unreliable, outdated and directly impacts the training of over 140 Navy and Marine Corps combat aviators each year. Failure to modernize the airfield lighting systems would result in frequent and costly failures that would shut down one or more runways, directly impacting training schedules and overall fleet readiness.

“This is a significant mission enabler,” said NAS Kingsville Public Works Officer Lt. Cmdr. Steven Parks. “These airfield upgrades will not only be energy efficient and cost saving for the Navy, but it will also significantly enhance NAS Kingsville’s mission to train our nation’s combat pilots in a safe environment.”

Additional work includes repairs to electrical, current lighting regulators, primary transformers, lightning arrestors, switchgear, interior lighting and receptacles; temperature and humidity regulating equipment; emergency generators, fuel storage and containment, and all underground electric conduit and cabling.

Small businesses play a vital role in the American economy - employing half of our country's workforce, creating nearly two out of every three new American jobs, and often being the source of the next great American innovation. NAVFAC Southeast strives to meet its goals and build on its successes by providing contract opportunities to these businesses.

“NAVFAC Southeast invests in small businesses to support our national defense,” said Cory Iselin, NAVFAC Southeast assistant deputy director for small business. “Small businesses fuel the American dream, which grows the local and federal economies that ultimately strengthen the warfighter.”

Iselin explained that small businesses provide construction, professional and supported services expertise that support the Navy’s mission and the men and women in uniform. It is through strong policy and sound business processes that NAVFAC is able to develop capabilities based strategies that consider program risks, cost, schedule and technical requirements that help meet the expectations of supported commanders while supporting public policy objectives.

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