Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a nearly $11 million contract, Nov. 15. to NAS Ventures, a small business out of Columbus, Ohio, for airfield upgrades to Sherman Field to be completed aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida.

The contract provides for taxiway pavement mill and overlay, concrete joint seals replacement at the ends of the runway, concrete repair in front of the jet blast deflector, and restriping. Electrical repairs include taxiway rehabilitation including below ground raceways, cabling, junction structures, airfield lighting, signage and marking, and replacement of airfield signal and control system circuits with fiber optic circuits.

"Forrest Sherman Field is vitally important to our undergraduate flight training aboard NAS Pensacola," said NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher Martin. "As the home of Training Air Wing 6 and the 479th Flying Training Group, all prospective naval flight officers for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force combat systems officers train here, as well as flight officers/navigators for NATO, allied and coalition partners. These upgrades will enhance and ensure our ability to train our aviators safely and in a world-class environment."

Work is expected to be completed by April 2019.

Small business (which includes 8(a) firms) plays 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 building on its success by providing contract opportunities to these businesses.

"Small business is the backbone to our economy," said Mark Brock, NAVFAC Southeast small business deputy. "NAVFAC Southeast is committed to providing small business opportunities. This is a win for the taxpayer, the nation, and the Navy."

Each year NAVFAC establishes target goals for small business, small disadvantaged business, historically underutilized business zone small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, and women-owned small business categories. The maximum practicable utilization of small business concerns is a matter of national interest with both social and economic benefits.

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