NAVFAC Southeast awarded a $21.8 million contract Feb. 27 to Web, LLC, a small business based in Springfield, Virginia, for repairs to the Aircraft Maintenance Hangar Building 3741 and demolition of Building 2741 at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas.

"This project will bring much needed repairs and upgrades to Aircraft Maintenance Hangar Building 3741," said Capt. Erik A. Spitzer, NAS Kingsville commanding officer. "The 100,000-square foot building is a critical facility for our training program. However, it was originally constructed in 1961 and is now showing serious signs of its age."

NAS Kingsville is one of the Navy's premier locations for jet aviation training. Its primary mission is to train tactical jet pilots for the Navy and Marine Corps. It is home to Training Squadrons (VT) 21 and 22. VT-21 conducts advance pilot training for carrier jet aviators. VT-22 conducts strike jet training for student naval aviators. Both VT-21 and VT-22 employ the T-45 Goshawk aircraft -- a tandem-seat, carrier-borne jet specifically built for the training of naval and Marine Corps aviators. There are currently 108 T-45 aircraft assigned to NAS Kingsville.

"Hangar 3741 is used to provide intermediate aircraft maintenance and engine maintenance for the T-45s," said Lt. Cmdr. Steve Parks, NAS Kingsville public works officer. "Rainwater leaks on the aircraft and aircraft parts, various shops, and office spaces on the second floor. This water intrusion interrupts aircraft maintenance, slows production, and damages engine parts and aircraft parts that should be protected from water."

Parks continued by stating, "There are many areas of this facility that need help. The heating and air conditioning is in poor condition and replacement parts are not available; the plumbing has corrosion and numerous leaks; the interior electrical system is unreliable; and the fire protection system has not been repaired since its original construction."

The contract award calls for roof replacement, roof decking, sealing roof penetrations, and renovation of the second floor. The repairs also include correction of architectural, structural, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, fire protection, electrical deficiencies, and any other related work. Building 2741, a 30,000-square foot, three-story office building built in 1958 will be demolished as part of the contract and its occupants will be consolidated into Building 3741.

Work will be performed in Kingsville, and is expected to be complete by February 2019.

Small business -- which includes 8(a) firms) play a vital role in the American economy -- employ half of the country's workforce, creating nearly two out of every three new American jobs, and often are 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.

"Our technical leads and acquisition team members seek opportunities for optimal small business participation early in the planning process," said Mark Brock, NAVFAC Southeast small business deputy. "Our sound business processes along with capabilities based strategies that consider program risks, cost, schedule and technical requirements help us meet the expectations of supported commanders while supporting public policy objectives."

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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