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News | June 13, 2017

Albuquerque opens newest DCMA office at Kirtland

By DCMA Albuquerque

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M., June 13, 2017 — Defense Contract Management Agency Albuquerque’s personnel assigned to Kirtland Air Force Base can finally enjoy their new office space. Nearly two years after the contract award, the team moved in on May 11.

In line with the agency’s Strategic Plan Initiative 4.2.5 — Smart Space Guidelines, every employee’s cubical or office includes a desk that raises and lowers as well as adjustable computer screen mounts that allow for a healthier workspace. Additionally, the office is at the heart of Kirtland Air Force base where it overlooks the base’s parade ground as well as New Mexico’s Sandia Mountains.

The space was originally scheduled to open in May 2016, but several delays forced the actual move-in date to a year later. “As with every project, you need to consider cost, schedule and performance — a three leg stool” said Army Lt. Col. John Pires, DCMA Albuquerque commander. “Our costs were set when the agency obligated the funds so we could only consider trade-offs between schedule and performance.”

Pires said that although the previous office building was old and space was tight, there was no pressure to move out.

“Therefore, we were willing wait until the contractor fully met our requirements,” he said. “Vicki Strause, our mission support representative and renovation project manager, worked closely with the base’s contracting office to demand consideration in the form of nicer amenities and an extended facility warrantee to compensate for the delay. Vicki ensured that the agency and taxpayers got their money’s worth”

According to Strause, “The new location doubled our square footage to approximately 13,000 square feet. This project also included all new furniture for cubicles, offices, appliances for the break room and conference rooms. One of the biggest advantages was that we were going to have a break room with a sink. Previously we had to wash our dishes in the bathroom.”

Updated climate control is also a welcome feature. “I like the new office building, especially the room temperature,” said Victor Guevara, a quality assurance specialist. “Our old office was always very hot.”

Keith Chapman, DCMA Facilities project manager; Cyrille Young, DCMA Safety and Occupational Health industrial hygienist; and Rick Cowan and Rob Culberson, Information Technology specialists, partnered with the Albuquerque office to ensure the new space was safe and ready to accomplish the command’s contract administrative mission.

“I was impressed that we were able to get everybody up and running in such a short time,” said Joe Hernandez, DCMA Albuquerque Cost and Pricing team leader.

The Kirtland move is the second renovation project and relocation the command accomplished within the past year. In October 2016, DCMA Albuquerque’s El Paso members relocated from Fort Bliss’ historic Horse Stables to a newly renovated office building on the post. And DCMA Albuquerque isn’t done moving offices yet. Planning is underway to relocate the Tucson office from their Bonita facility to a federal building, which is strategically located in the city’s downtown civic center.