The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Baltimore awarded a $360 million construction contract to Hensel Phelps Construction to build a 1 million-square-foot office complex at Fort Meade.
That complex will house the Defense Information Systems Agency, the information technology arm of the Department of Defense based in Virginia, as the biggest component of the Base Realignment and Closure expansion in Anne Arundel.
David Bullock, BRAC executive for DISA, answered questions from The Examiner on the contract and DISA?s move to Odenton.
Now that the contract has been awarded, what?s DISA?s next step in the relocation process?
We are still a long way from relocation of DISA employees to Fort Meade.
The next step will be working with the construction firm and the architect on the design of the building.
Is DISA prepared for the move to Fort Meade, and when will that begin?
DISA is currently developing plans for the move to Fort Meade.
Based on the best information available, we should start moving personnel in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2010.
Does the fact that the building?s contractor is based in Virginia help DISA in the move? Is there any prior relationship between Hensel Phelps and DISA?
Hensel Phelps has offices in both Chantilly, Va., and Baltimore.
DISA is not aware of any prior direct contractual relationship with Hensel Phelps.
How will the move affect DISA?s operations and continuity?
It is DISA?s goal to retain as many people as we move to Fort Meade.
In order to meet that goal, we have developed a comprehensive human resources plan that provides programs and incentives to retain the existing work force.
When vacancies do occur, we are recruiting heavily in Maryland.
We are also working closely with the state of Maryland and our regional partners in the communities surrounding Fort Meade to educate the DISA work force on Maryland?s attractions.
