Up to $73.7M to ACE for Paving at Nevada USAF Facilities

Paving the Way
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ACE Engineering in La Verne, CA won a contract worth up to $73.7 million to carry out multiple paving projects at Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases, Tonapah Test Range, and other related US Air Force sites in Nevada.

ACE will provide labor, supplies, materials, supervision, transportation, and equipment to repair, maintain, or build asphalt or cement roads, parking lots, runways, taxiways and shoulders at the bases and range.

An environmental assessment report [pdf] on Nellis and the test range prepared by the US Air Force in May 2007 noted that unpaved roads on the USAF facilities contributed to air pollution in the region.

According to the Draft Environmental Assessment for the Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan at Nellis Air Force Base and the Nevada Test and Training Range, there is a concern about air pollution at the facilities:

“Exceedances in particulate matter are due to the release of dust from construction, unpaved roads, and unprotected soil surfaces….Some air pollutants are released during the explosion of ordnance….Movement of vehicles along gravel and unpaved roads also results in the release of fugitive dust in localized areas.”

Fugitive dust [pdf] is fine particles that can carry heavy metals and cancer-causing organic compounds into the deepest and most susceptible part of the lungs. The smaller the size of particles matter, the farther it can travel into the lungs and get trapped in the air sacs, causing an inflammatory response that increases the potential for respiratory disease and heart attack.

The work being performed by ACE should help lessen the risks from fugitive dust. The contract has a base year with the option to extend it up to 4 additional years. At this time, $100,000 has been obligated. The 99th Contracting Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base manages the contract (FA4861-09-D-A010).