PROJECT SUMMARY
This project, consisting of a series of new facilities, was part of the Base Operations Support Services (BOS) contract award to PAE/Lockheed Martin by NAVFAC EURAFSWA (N33191-07-D-0207). Michael-Bruno was engaged as the design and construction oversight subcontractor for this four-phase DB program.
Cost Control
- Based on an initial site survey, it was estab-lished that the design package must be tai-lored to the Djibouti environment—where traditionally only sand and water were avail-able. Materials for this design-to-budget pro-ject were therefore priced out of Europe and, to save time, Dubai.
- Michael-Bruno’s team also explored tradi-tional construction methodologies and, throughout the design, attempted to merge these into the architecture and engineering criteria, while maintaining the integrity of the SOW. This provided a two-fold benefit: (1) it allowed local construction subcontractors the ability to build based on familiar practic-es and (2) it allowed for the use of as many local materials as possible. Result: less time and money.
- During the design process Michael-Bruno also vetted seven local construction compa-nies to evaluate their capabilities, capacity, equipment, and past performance for similar work.
Schedule Control
- Because this was one of the first design-build projects under the new, Navy-managed Camp Lemonnier operation, a number of items had been over-looked dur-ing the SOW development. For example, the 122 design summer temperatures, which local labor were unable to work; religious holidays like Ramadan; and the 1-2 hour delay each morning and evening in getting Djibouti work forces through the Camp security. Michael-Bruno strived to resolve some of these issues be developing shaded rest and water areas for the safety of workers; establishing routine break schedules; and developing a “work-around” road which ran parallel to the Camp, allow-ing vehicles and labor to have direct access to the construction site, following the initial security screening and entry. This also pre-vented construction vehicles from disrupting local commands like CJTF-HOA. These ini-tiatives cut 45-70 days out of the project schedule.
Quality of Work & Safety
- Quality and safety were a constant chal-lenge as we design to U.S. and International Building Code standards, while taking into consideration the limited resources of Dji-bouti. Inasmuch as materials could be easi-ly imported from Europe or, to save time, Dubai, the local, unskilled labor was a major challenge.
- Michael-Bruno conducted daily oversight meetings with construction subcontractors as well as safety training for workers.
- Ultimately, Michael-Bruno’s OSHA certified construction manager established off-sight courses on safety. This resulted in a “revo-lutionized” task force of Djiboutians, sup-porting long pants, shirts, safety vests, safety glasses, hard-hats and shoes.
Compliance with Perfomance Schedules
- Michael-Bruno was called into this project two months after award. Our team was able to provide a fast-track design, recovering time and allowing the BD construction part-ner to begin foundation work to recover lost time.
COMPLEXITY OF THE JOB
Michael-Bruno provided design and construction management of an ex-novo contractor camp within the footprint of Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Design included a Project Management Office (PMO) building, supply and facilities buildings, training/general purpose and camp management buildings, berthing and vehicle maintenance facili-ties, and various storage facilities.
The M-B design team focused on utilizing mini-mum resources to implement the most cost-effective development, design and construction solution commensurate with the expeditionary status of Camp Lemonier, while complying with both local and US building, electrical, and plumbing codes. Structures were designed in rectangular, quasi-square, or L-shaped forms to optimize space and cost. Compacted gravel was selected for internal roadways. Sodium vapor (low-amperage) technology was selected for perimeter and internal lighting. Cement and ceramic tile flooring as well as climate control were selectively implemented, based on the ultimate purpose of the facilities.
As finalized, the M-B design gave special emphasis to the functionality of the compound, both on the exterior and in the interior of the facilities. A dedicated electrical power generation plant was designed to supply all contractor camp require-ments. Where necessary, water lines were equipped with lift stations and in-line domestic supplemental pressure water pumps to provide the necessary water pressure to serve the facilities throughout camp. Restrooms and ablution facilities were designed in both the eastern and western styles to serve contractors of both cultural backgrounds. Water, sewer, power and IT/COM lines were designed for underground distribution throughout the compound.
SCOPE AND NATURE SIMILAR TO THE A-E SERVICES IDIQ
- A-E and PCAS services for this 4 phase new construction project at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
- Scope included A-E plans, specifications, designs and engineering studies, as well as design criteria packages, construction oversight and as-built drawings
- Compliance withal U.S. and Host Nation codes; as well as IBC, UFC, NFPA, and base design guide
- Design-to-Budget  Compliance withal U.S. and Host Nation codes; as well as IBC, UFC, NFPA, and base design guide
- Challenges included environmental hazards—122 degree temperatures, poisonous insects, reptiles and wild dogs—as well as working with local laborers. Language barriers were also overcome, as were working with local, state-run geotechnical laboratory.
