Texas military bases get $1.7 billion for construction

Fort Bliss has been chosen as the new home of the 1st Armored Division, which is relocating from Germany to El Paso. That means Fort Bliss is growing from about 13,000 soldiers in 2005 to more than 40,000. Officials expect to spend $4 billion for the total expansion of the base by 2011.

Businesses seeking contracting opportunities should contact the Fort Worth office of the Army Corps of Engineers, who handle large construction projects on Texas military bases. However, for small businesses, Fort Bliss' post contracts office has hired a full-time small business consultant.

Daniel Portillo, who has 22 years in the government procurement business, is the man to see for small businesses looking for opportunities at Fort Bliss.

"With all the personnel moving here, you can see why we're building so much," he said. "We are going to be taking on new missions, new divisions, and we'll even be constructing the Army's newest tank here. There's a lot of commotion going on and a lot of opportunities for businesses."

Portillo said his office handles contracts of $700,000 or less, though the type of business may surprise some.

"Many of the (American) businesses are following the troops over from Germany," he said. "They served the First Armored in Germany and they are following them here to provide many of the same services they did overseas."

Portillo says what he does for Fort Bliss is duplicated in one form or another at other military bases in Texas and around the country.

"The Army has the Office of Small Business Programs that is part of the contracting office on almost every base," he said. "There is a small business specialist, either full-time like me or part-time, available to guide small business owners on every base."

Some of the projects planned for Fort Bliss include a Close Combat Tactical Trainer Facility ($109 million), a Combat Aviation Brigade Complex ($90 million), a Troop Health Clinic ($42 million), a Digital Multipurpose Training Range ($22 million) and 16 other new projects.

Other military projects around Texas include addition to the Fitness Center, Goodfellow AFB ($5.8 million); San Antonio Military Medical Center ($156 million); Aircraft Maintenance Parking Facility, Fort Worth ($5.1 million); Barracks Complex, Fort Hood ($7 million); Armed Forces Reserve Battle Projection Center, Ellington Field ($15 million); Battlefield Health and Trauma, Fort Sam Houston ($53 million); Maneuver Systems Sustainment Center, Red River Army Depot ($9.2 million); Joint Security Forces Building, Lackland AFB ($900,000); and Base Operations Ramp, Sheppard AFB, (7 million).

Accompanying photo courtesy of Fort Bliss public information office.