The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) awarded ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø¹ÙÍø the Advanced Munitions Technology Complex (AMTC) Phase I project in March 2019 and AMTC Phase II in September 2020, marking another milestone in our long-standing partnership with USACE. Both projects contribute to the development of next-generation technologies and winning capabilities against security threats or technologically advanced adversaries at Eglin Air Force Base, FL.

AMTC Phase I:

AMTC Phase I, a $63 million, 66,000 SF facility, completed in June 2023, represents a significant step forward in the U.S. Air Force’s mission to develop next-generation munitions technologies. Designed and constructed to support the research, integration, rapid prototyping and fielding of advanced munitions, the AMTC Phase I project showcases ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø¹ÙÍø’ commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative construction solutions for crucial defense infrastructure.

The AMTC Phase I project includes eight primary structures, each built to support nanoenergetic and explosive technology development. From the outset, the project demanded high technical precision and innovation. The design integrates advanced safety and security features, including explosives safety protocols, anti-terrorism force protection (AT/FP) and physical and life safety systems. To mitigate the effects of potential explosive events, the facility incorporates hardened reinforced concrete framing, steel fragment shields, and acoustic and vibration mitigation strategies to protect sensitive operations.

Given the blast-proof requirements, ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø¹ÙÍø installed most electrical, fire alarm and communications infrastructure beneath the slab on grade. Blast doors—ranging from single swing to sliding—were engineered to withstand both intentional and accidental detonations, meeting rigorous standards for blast loading, response criteria, fragment shielding and sealing.

“The management team for ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø¹ÙÍø also completed voluntary formal partnering with the Government on the contract. ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø¹ÙÍø brought high-level management to this meeting to show their dedication to effective communication and achieving mutual goals for the project with the government. The session set the foundations for the initial stages of construction and a successful partnership between the government and ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø¹ÙÍø.”

Kelli Williams | Resident Engineer | Pulled from Interim CPARS

Throughout the project, ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø¹ÙÍø maintained close coordination with the USACE, trade partners and the Air Force Research Laboratory. Regular design reviews and coordination meetings ensured that all project requirements were met—and often exceeded. The successful completion of AMTC Phase I highlights ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø¹ÙÍø’ ability to deliver mission critical infrastructure with precision, safety and collaboration.

AMTC Phase II:

AMTC Phase II, a $20 million, 4,040 SF project, completed in July 2023, supports the Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s mission to develop next-generation munitions technologies that strengthen national defense and outpace evolving global threats.

This project focused on the construction of the Complex for Agile Processing of Energetics, Advanced Processing (CAPE), located within the High Explosives Research and Development (HERD) sector of the base. The new facility includes nine highly specialized bunkers designed for the remote production of munitions, all operated from a centralized control room in the staging building. Though each bunker measures just 440 SF, the project’s technical complexity demanded precision, innovation and close coordination.

Several unique scopes defined this project. All flooring systems were engineered to be spark-proof and non-conductive, ensuring safety in high-risk environments. Each bunker features a dual fire protection system—combining a standard wet pipe system with an Ultra High-Speed Deluge (UHSD) system—to provide rapid response capabilities. Additionally, cast-in-place blast walls and bin walls were constructed around each structure to contain and mitigate the effects of potential explosions.

The successful delivery of AMTC Phase II builds on the momentum of AMTC Phase I and sets the stage for the recently awarded AMTC Phase III.

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The NASA Mobile Launcher (ML) is designed to support the next generation of manned space exploration and the program’s rocket and associated ground support equipment. It is used in the assembly, testing and servicing areas at existing Kennedy Space Center facilities, transporting space vehicles to launch pads over three miles away and providing ground support for launches. The ML’s basis of design was the Constellation Program’s Ares I rocket, but it can be used to launch both Government and commercial rockets.

The mobile launcher structure has a 133-foot by 158-foot base and a 406-foot-tall tower, weighing an impressive 6.8 million pounds. It was constructed 22 feet in the air on top of mount mechanisms that were built for the Apollo/Saturn programs and were transported by the existing Crawler Transporters built initially for those programs.

The Mobile Launcher contains two main components, the first being the Mobile Launcher Base (MLB), containing the main support structure with a base, tower, launch mounts and facility ground systems that include power, communications, conditioned air, water for cooling, wash-down, elevators and ignition over-pressure protection. The second component, the Mobile Launch Tower (MLT), consists of multiple platforms for personnel access and rocket umbilical systems. In addition, there is a removable launch mount that is the integration point for the rocket to the base—a highly precise piece of hardware that is fitted to the space vehicle being launched.

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The $190 million modification project transforms a historic launch complex into the only dual-use pad in the world that handles both Atlas V and Vulcan Centaur rockets simultaneously. The project consists of a new 183-foot-tall Vulcan Launch Platform (VLP). It is outfitted with the equipment and umbilicals needed to supply the Vulcan Centaur with liquid natural gas (LNG) propellant and liquid oxygen to the first stage, liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen to the Centaur upper stage, conditioned air to customer spacecraft and rocket compartments, electronics, power lines and command-and-control cabling.

Modifications to the active launch pad’s infrastructure include the installation of a 100,000-gallon LNG storage area, a 122,000-gallon Centaur liquid hydrogen (LH2) area and a 65,000-gallon liquid oxygen (BLOX/CLOX) storage area, and an improved Acoustic Suppression Water System (ASWS) with 28-inch pipes and additional larger water tanks.

Work also included modifications to the Vehicle Integration Facility (VIF) platforms to accommodate the 12-foot-diameter Atlas V with up to five Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) and the 18-foot-diameter Vulcan Centaur rockets with up to six SRBs. Modifications to the Spaceflight Processing Operations Center (SPOC) included a new 160-foot tower and access platforms and the scope for Service Vans (M-Van, P-Van & S-Van) consisted of miles of control cabling and reconfiguration of thousands of termination points to allow control and monitoring of the payload.

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The Resnick Sustainability Center (RSC) is a modern, flexible research building that supports and expands the research work of the Resnick Sustainability Institute (RSI). It hosts facilities for four of the RSI’s research centers: 1) an Ecology and Biosphere Engineering Facility, 2) a Solar Science and Catalysis Center, 3) a Remote Sensing Center and 4) a Translational Science Facility for pilot testing at scale.

 Caltech had several key goals for the RSC:

1) To be a hub for sustainability research and education

2) To bring together scientists, engineers, students and faculty to foster collaboration and innovation

3) To provide state-of-the-art facilities and specialized equipment to support groundbreaking research in sustainability

4) To serve as an educational resource, offering teaching laboratories and shared meeting spaces

5) To incorporate advanced sustainable technologies and materials

The RSC incorporates numerous advanced sustainability features, including a high-performance exterior envelope, a fully glazed north atrium and western façade that maximizes natural light, solar shading fins that reduce heat gain, highly energy-efficient mechanical and electrical systems and a striking mass timber frame that reduces embodied carbon. Outside, rooftop photovoltaic arrays generate power for research and operations, while native plantings and stormwater dry wells increase the building’s sustainability.

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The Surgery, Radiology, and Laboratory Medicine (SRLM) Building is ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø¹ÙÍø’ sixth project with the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The project is located on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland. The design-build project includes preconstruction services and the construction of a new building. The new 630,000 SF building will connect to the existing NIH Clinical Research Center (CRC).

The project includes 550,000 SF of new construction and 80,000 SF of renovations. The new building will have 11 stories, with 9 above ground and 2 below ground. The levels below ground will include program space and important building systems. The new building will also connect directly to the CRC’s west wing, which will be renovated.

The project also includes relocating part of a utility tunnel, rebuilding a children’s playground, and connecting the SRLM Building to a new pedestrian tunnel. This tunnel will link to a future Patient Parking Garage.

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The United States Geological Survey (USGS) Research Laboratory at NASA Ames is a two-story, 47,000 SF facility designed to advance research in various scientific fields. The facility features approximately 80 labs, each equipped for specific scientific disciplines. The specialized lab spaces include a magnetic shield room, walk-in cold storage rooms, a geophysics lab with a 10-ton crane, rock crushing and processing labs with specialized systems, clean rooms, an autoclave room and numerous spaces with gas monitoring and chilled water systems.

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The new School of Medicine Education Building II supports the academic and programmatic mission of the UC Riverside School of Medicine. The building provides adequate space for existing needs and allows for future class size expansion. The new school of medicine features classrooms, specialized teaching spaces, lecture halls, student support and study facilities, as well as academic and administrative offices.

The project also incorporates substantial site development, landscaping, and infrastructure work, including the creation of a new plaza to unify outdoor spaces within the project, the relocation of an existing generator, and the development of a code-compliant fire lane and service access.

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The Mary D. Nichols Campus is the new regional headquarters for the California Air Resources Board (CARB). This project consolidated CARB’s seven locations throughout Los Angeles into a single location in Riverside that houses more than 400 employees. The state-of-the-art facility includes an extended range of dedicated test cells for testing of light to heavy-duty vehicles, an advanced chemistry laboratory and workspace for accommodating new test methods for future generations of vehicles. The project includes space for developing enhanced onboard diagnostics and portable emissions measurement systems, visitor reception and education areas, a media center, flexible conference areas and a large public auditorium.

The new campus is one of the most extensive and advanced vehicle emissions testing and research facilities in the world. It was designed and built to reach the highest possible levels of measured sustainability: LEED Platinum certification, Net Zero Energy and CalGreen Tier 2. It is the largest true Net Zero Energy facility of its type in the world — producing as much energy as it uses.

The unique design provides a seamless consolidation and integration of the office program into a three-story, pinwheel-shaped building that offers vertical connectivity to increase proximity between offices and horizontal connectivity with testing areas, support space and laboratories, resulting in greater flexibility and interaction. This pinwheel concept creates a central command control area that forms the nexus of the new CARB campus. The high-performance campus features ample open and green spaces, as well as nature walks for al fresco breaks and informal meetings alike.

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Originally built in 1964, the Radiation Physics Building, also known as Building 245, hosts research vital to our nation’s healthcare, environmental monitoring, radiation protection and industrial processing. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) modernization project’s contract consists of multiple task orders completed in 2023. The team has been awarded eight task orders, with the ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø¹ÙÍø Design-Build Team being awarded the contract based on our winning approach to task order one, an addition dubbed the H Wing. This addition provides uniquely equipped modern laboratory space and its completion is vital to providing swing space as the team moves into later phases where work will be focused within the existing building.

Task Orders 1-5

·¬ÇÑÉçÇø¹ÙÍø took great care to minimize disruptions to ongoing research throughout the construction of Task Order 1. The H Wing aligns with the existing Building 245. The addition uses a mat foundation that reduces the possibility of differential settlement. The structural configuration of the addition consists of a robust concrete frame, offering enhanced floor loading and vibration mitigation. The superstructure meets a baseline vibration criteria velocity of 2,000 micro-inches per second. The addition also includes 2,500 SF of Class 100 cleanroom space.

The scope of work for Task Order 2 includes designing and constructing the D Wing addition, which totals $25.6 million. This addition includes a precast facade built around a new concrete structure that consists of a new plumbing room, mechanical room, laboratory space and cleanroom that connects to an existing laboratory. Due to the laboratory operations occurring adjacent to the construction of D Wing, extensive coordination and communication were required to allow the ongoing science to operate within the laboratory and ensure the safety and welfare of the construction personnel due to the radioactive sources that were being used at different times.

Task Order 3 consisted of the design and construction solution to replace the existing A Wing electrical service room within A100 and the associated transformer yard. This also included providing a new main and emergency electrical room.

Task Order 4 includes the IT systems for H Wing, totaling $828,000. The IT systems include data and communications, like wireless access and new fiber throughout. The security systems for the H Wing addition are included in Task Order 5.

Task Orders 6-7

Task Order 6 includes fully renovating existing spaces that have been in continuous service for 50 years. The spaces include radioactive labs, administrative spaces, open offices and a mechanical penthouse. This scope also includes abatement, demolition and interior and exterior upgrades to the existing C-Wing of Building 245. The above grade three-story and penthouse section of C-Wing has been fully demolished and converted into three stories of open office concept space for the researchers. In addition to interior upgrades, the exterior façade of the C-Wing was upgraded to comply with energy standards. Task Order 7 included a new roof for the E-wing.

Task Order 8

Task Order 8 includes renovating the remaining lab space and sub-grade waterproofing repair at the basement and sub-basement levels, each with a unique geometry and configuration. During the proposal phase, we teamed with a dewatering and watering infiltration expert and a waterproofing trade partner to review and develop concept methods to repair/replace the waterproofing based on the varying conditions applied to exterior only, interior only, or on both faces. In addition, they provided input on phasing, scheduling and budgeting.

The completion of ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø¹ÙÍø’ work on-site at NIST allows the scientists there to continue serving diverse business, agriculture and security interests while incorporating upcoming technologies.

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The new Alzheimer disease temporary research structure, located on the National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s Bethesda, MD campus, provides new research space to the National Institute on Aging (NIA). The building is designed as a single-story, modular structure with open concept labs and offices.

This new building is a transformative, state of the art research center, bringing together world-leading scientists from both within the intramural and extramural research programs, as well as from industry and academia. The NIA program of requirements consists of design criteria for physical/functional spaces and the creation of interior and exterior environments which nurture and encourage interaction, collaboration and unencumbered communication between researchers in open, flexible and multiuse rooms

To reduce cost and construction time and to maximize available interior space, the building is designed as a single story facility, with open concept labs and offices. The 26,000 square foot facility supports bio-safety level 2 laboratories, laboratory support areas, breakroom, breakout areas, huddle spaces, conference rooms and both open and enclosed office spaces. Roof mounted mechanical/electrical support spaces provide an efficient layout of the equipment necessary to run the building. Utility, electrical and CIT support spaces provide an efficient layout of all the equipment necessary to run the modular facility. The mechanical air handling equipment is situated in a rooftop penthouse above the office wing.

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