Stand-To!- Military Construction Transformation - Part 1 - October 4, 2007

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 Stand-To!<http://www4.army.mil/news/standto/printheader.gif> 
Edition: Thu, October 04, 2007
Rich-text Version <http://www4.army.mil/news/standto.php?dte=2007-10-04> 

TODAY'S FOCUS


Military Construction Transformation - Part 1

What is it? Military Construction (MILCON) Transformation is the project
delivery process the Army is using to provide quality, adaptable and
sustainable facilities in less time and at lower cost. Key to this effort is
the standardization of processes and facilities as well as the adoption of
private sector best practices. The Army is moving away from overly
prescriptive requirements to performance-based criteria as well as moving
from design-build acquisition to site-adapt facilities. Site adaptation is
scheduled to begin for Army standard facilities in FY2009. 

Under MILCON Transformation:
* Facility service life will continue to be 50 years and the facilities will
meet life-safety and Army sustainability goals to include the mandated
energy savings requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and compliance
with the International Building Code. 
* The potential pool of contractors capable of providing the needed
facilities increases with the inclusion of Type 1 (noncombustible) thru Type
V (composite) construction and the expanded use of manufactured building
(permanent) solutions. This improves competition and helps control costs.
* Implementation of a reliable steady funding system with limited funding
increments will allow contractors to build more efficiently and reduce
execution cost and time. 
* Effective master planning will improve the real property management
process. 
* Greater emphasis is placed on cost engineering to ensure the Army has
in-depth knowledge of market conditions and pricing in order to provide
sustainable facilities at the best value possible. 
* Reshaping the knowledge, skills and abilities of the workforce is
inevitable. 

In addition, MILCON Transformation implementation will provide greater
opportunities for Army personnel to learn new skill sets in the areas of
Building Information Modeling (BIM); cost engineering and fast-track
scheduling; concurrent design and construction practices; and knowledge of
commercial building practices and standards. All of which will enhance the
completion of quality, adaptable and sustainable facilities for the Soldier.
MILCON Transformation is a culture change for the United States Army Corps
of Engineers, the garrison community, and for industry.

*To be continued in tomorrow's edition


INFORMATION YOU CAN USE


* 2007 Strategic Communication Guide
<https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/409993>  - Read the 2007 Army Strategic
Communication Guide for key messages and updates.
* Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace
<https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/303879>  
* Army Public Affairs Portal <https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/216363>  


NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY


*	New maneuver-enhancement unit activates at Fort Polk (ARNews
<http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/10/03/5242-new-maneuver-enhancement-unit-act
ivates-at-fort-polk/> ) 
*	U.S. Army speeds up expansion (SP
<http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htatrit/articles/20071003.aspx> ) 
*	Army secretary visits improved base housing (AT
<http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/10/military_geren_housingvisit_071004w/>
) 
*	Watada pleads for relief (NT
<http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/military/story/171002.html> )


WAR ON TERROR NEWS


*	Bombs kill 2 and wound Polish envoy in Baghdad (EB
<http://ebird.afis.mil/ebfiles/e20071004549825.html>  | NYT
<http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/world/middleeast/04iraq.html?_r=1&oref=sl
ogin> ) 
*	Iraqi, Coalition forces continue to pound enemy fighters (MNF
<http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14404&Ite
mid=1> ) 
*	Iraqi insurgents announce new coalition (WP
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/03/AR200710030
2371.html> ) 
*	Forces must develop 'irreversible momentum' in Iraq, general says
(AFIS <http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47675> )


OF INTEREST


*	52 Special Forces Soldiers to get awards (AT
<http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/10/army_specialforces_071003w/> ) 
*	Database on medals sought to catch frauds (SAS
<http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=49252> ) 
*	U.S. Army secretary works to fix GI Bill for Minnesotans (ST
<http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1460969.html> ) 
*	Are U.S. troops being force-fed Christianity? (CSM
<http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1004/p13s02-lire.html> )


WORLD VIEW


*	U.S. Army deserter released from immigration detention with
conditions (CP <http://www.cp.org/default.aspx>  | Story
<http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5h71KW4EfyPOc7T8GCjiMAUi0EeTA>
) 
*	President Bush says leaving Iraq would embolden Iran (VOA
<http://www.voanews.com/english/>  | Story
<http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-10-03-voa50.cfm> ) 
*	U.S. Army roots for Future Combat Systems technologies (DM
<http://www.domain-b.com/>  | Story
<http://www.domain-b.com/aero/October/2007/20071003_technologies.htm> ) 
*	Iran says U.S. too tied up to fight (BBC <http://news.bbc.co.uk/>  |
Story <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7026754.stm> )


WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS


*	Phony veterans attempt to take advantage of VA benefits (SM
<http://soldiersmind.com/> ) 
*	Chem demil update (ACG <http://armchairgeneralist.typepad.com/> ) 
*	Reserve component mobilization (RR
<http://www.retiredreservist.blogspot.com/> ) 
*	Honor the fallen: SFC Matthew Blaskowski (MG
<http://mikegulf.blogspot.com/> )

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