KINGWOOD, W.Va. –
Across the nation, the National Guard operates and maintains billions of dollars’ worth of facilities. Each year, hundreds of millions of dollars are contracted out on those facilities for architectural design projects, new construction, restoration and modernization or demolition of existing structures, maintenance, and professional services. The vast majority of these projects are bid on and handled by civilian firms, with strict oversite by the National Guard. Initiating, awarding, and overseeing those contracts is the primary mission of the Construction Facilities Maintenance Office (CFMO).
Handling all the issues surrounding contracts can be daunting. Local construction and employment regulations and laws can vary dramatically from state to state. Knowing how to navigate the intricacies of local contracting falls on the shoulders of each state’s CFMO staff. Yet, the basic fundamental issues surrounding contracting are shared across the nation.
Realizing the need for new CFMO personnel to be effectively trained in the basics of their responsibilities, the National Guard Bureau (NGB) and the Facilities Engineering Advisory Committee (FEAC) began a series of classes meant to bring together CFMOs from around the nation to learn and network together. NGB currently has five different regional courses designed to provide certification process for employees and staff members within CFMO offices.
This month, 40 CFMOs from around the U.S. converged for the State Contract Management/Business Manager’s Certification CFMO 102 course, held at the West Virginia National Guard Regional Training Institute (RTI) at Camp Dawson, located in Kingwood, W.Va. The 4-day course gave students a deep-dive into topics such as liability claims, bonding and insurance, contract terminations, contractor claims, delays and remedies, payments and closeout, and ethics.
“There is a high turn-over rate for CFMOs due to the nature of military assignments. We need CFMO personnel to fully appreciate the high-dollar, high-risk nature of what they do,” said lead instructor Donald Windahm, a Military Construction (MILCON) Support Specialist with the NGB Contractor Construction Division in Jackson, Miss. “New CFMOs need to understand they are in a complex, deep alligator pit that can have serious and costly ramifications for NGB if contracts are not awarded and overseen properly.”
A lesson not lost on CFMO Facilities Branch Chief for the West Virginia National Guard, Maj. Jason Fernatt.
“As a new CFMO with only four months experience, this course allows me to expand my knowledge as a CFMO, and to look at contracts from both a broader and a more detailed and nuanced perspective,” Fernatt said. “I have learned how regulations on the state and federal side dictate how contracts are administered from start to finish and closed out. I have also learned how valuable positive relationships with contractors can be, and why they are so important.”
The course however, is just the beginning of education for CFMOs.
“I stress to all my students the need for continuing self-education,” stated Windahm. “This course provides the basics. It is up to each of them to now go back to their individual states and dive into their own state-level laws and ordinances, rules and regulations in order to truly become proficient in their jobs.”
Fernatt agreed stating, “My education is just beginning. By becoming more knowledgeable at my job, I can help contracts move efficiently and effectively from a new construction or a maintenance and repair standpoint to completion with less issues and delays. That saves money and allows enhanced operational posture which benefits the National Guard.”