Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast awards funding for pipeline improvements at Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany

MCLB-ALBANY — Nearly $8 million has been awarded to help Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany complete an effort to replace all of its the major utility distribution systems that had first started several years ago.

Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast recently announced that it has awarded a $7.99 million firm-fixed-price task order on Nov. 18 for design and replacement of the natural gas distribution at MCLB-Albany to Old Veteran Construction, Inc., a Chicago-based company.

Officials said a 2011 gas study recommended the pipeline replacement and documented the steps necessary to bring the pipeline up to code. A previous survey was conducted in 2008, but officials said the newer study raised the concern over the change in condition of the underground natural gas pipeline and associated systems.

“This project will repair the natural gas distribution main serving the base,” said Col. Don Davis, commanding officer of MCLB-Albany. “The natural gas distribution system was installed in 1953, and like our water and electrical distribution systems, it was well beyond its service life and in need of replacement.”

The gas line project will complete a long-term effort started in 2010 by the MCLB Installation and Environment Division to replace all major utility distribution systems on the base. When this project is complete, the Marine Corps will have spent more than $50 million upgrading these utility systems — which are considered to be mission critical.

“This project provides for the full repair of the current system and includes installation of polyethylene natural gas pipeline, valves, regulators, and fittings necessary for a complete, usable and safe gas distribution network,” said Lt. Jose Centenorosado, Albany’s Facilities Engineering and Acquisition Division.

This effort is under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract task order not to exceed 36 months, with an expected completion date of August 2016, NAVFAC Southeast officials said.

“I am grateful to our NAVFAC support team for their exceptional job of getting these projects awarded and constructed,” said Davis.

Old Veteran Construction specializes in general contracting and masonry work. The company began in 1986 when Old Veteran Tuckpointing was founded by Jose Maldonado, president and sole owner, an available history on the Chicago firm says.