P2S Magazine Issue 1 2023 | Page 7

general contractor clients for design-build projects , see the value in P2S as a Prime consultant . They like it when we control the schedule , control the scope and manage the team . They ’ ll reach out to us , and we ’ ll build the team and take care of all elements of design .
We have several competitive advantages : ( 1 ) Knowing the base or facility is a key advantage because each location has unique criteria , requirements and conditions . If you don ’ t know the base-specific criteria , your fees will either be too high , there will be too much risk to the overall project budget , or you will get burned . So being able to sell our knowledge of the location is a key advantage . ( 2 ) Knowing the UFCs is also essential . It ’ s incredible how many consultants that work with the federal government don ’ t know the UFCs . ( 3 ) P2S really cares about knowing the details and getting things right . Our clients see this and want to keep using us .
How many U . S . government agencies do you think you ’ ve supported ?
BL : Good question ! I think there are over 400 agencies in the federal government . I would estimate that we ’ ve probably worked for maybe 30 agencies when you include the sub-agencies . Many agencies we ’ ve worked with fall under NAVFAC ( i . e ., NAVFAC NW , NAVFAC SW , NAVSEA , NAVAIR , EXWC , etc .). We also work with USACE , USCG , GSA , VA , NOAA , and a handful of others . sewer , etc .) and identified deficiencies in those systems and gaps in meeting current mission requirements .
Another example is the multi-mission drydock at PSNS . The Navy identified the need for a new drydock to support the latest carrier class . It is a $ 4 billion project that will be in design for the next two years and construction until 2035 , and we are responsible for a portion of the mechanical design ( led by Elizabeth Garras in our Seattle office ).
One more example is the Navy ’ s P-8 Program . The Navy recently converted their patrol and reconnaissance aircraft from turboprop P-3 Orion ’ s to Boeing 737 P8 aircraft . With that aircraft change , new infrastructure was needed to support it ( new hangars , maintenance facilities , trainers , etc .), which led to a lot of work for us at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island .
These programs for the federal government are constantly adapting and modernizing , and we get to support that on the infrastructure and facility side , which is a lot of fun !
There can be no doubt that recent world events have led to heightened readiness in the U . S . government ’ s military and civilian sectors . Can you give us your perspective on how federal facilities are adapting to meet emerging challenges and make the most of new opportunities in a changing global environment ?
BL : The federal government is constantly adapting . There are always new threats and mission requirements . Newer classes of vessels and aircraft are continually being developed , which means the shoreside and upland infrastructure needs to adapt and develop as well .
A current example is the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program , where Congress has elected to spend $ 25 billion modernizing shipyards to support the latest classes of submarines and carriers . One of those shipyards is the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard ( PSNS ) in Washington State . We were part of a large study that analyzed the utility infrastructure ( freshwater , saltwater , compressed air , steam , oxygen , natural gas ,