Senior leaders from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) conducted a three-day strategy conference in Frederick, Maryland at the VA Acquisition Academy earlier in June.
Key focuses of the conference were the health of the partnership for the national level medical construction program, shaping program priorities, and review of the strategic plan and partnering initiatives that will drive the future of this significant interagency program. Senior executives who attended the conference included Maj. Gen. Kimberly Colloton, USACE deputy commanding general for military and international operations; Dr. Michael Brennan, VA executive director of construction and facilities management; Dr. Christine Altendorf, USACE director of military programs; and numerous other executives from both agencies.
July 2015, an Interagency Agreement was signed between the VA and USACE for USACE to provide project and construction management, engineering services, and other support to the VA. Along with ongoing support to the VA on their National Cemetery and Veterans Integrated Service Network projects, USACE also serves as their design and construction agent for major medical facilities that are valued at over $100 million.
Since 2015, some of the medical facilities where construction has been completed are Aurora, Colorado (Replacement Medical Center); American Lake, Washington (Phase-1, Building 18); Tampa, Florida (Polytrauma and New Bed Tower); Canandaigua, New York (Phase-1, Outpatient Clinic); and San Diego, California (Phase-B, Parking Garage). Significant areas of ongoing construction include El Paso Health Care Center, Texas; Louisville Health Care Center, Kentucky; and Long Beach Mental Health and Community Living Center, California.
The VA/USACE Super Construction Program manages over 30 super construction projects valued at over $14 billion nation-wide. The VA offers a wide variety of programs and services which support the wellness and care of a veteran population of over 22 million.