Federal Contracting

Under a design-build General Services Administration (GSA) ID/IQ MATOC contract, Arrowhead served as the general contractor to perform comprehensive security upgrades at multiple Land Ports of Entry (LPoE) operated by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) along the southern border of the United States. The contract was performed under direct order as a “Matter of National Security” by the Department of Homeland Security. Working closely with the CBP, GSA, and design partner Leidos, Arrowhead performed all repair, alterations, and construction-phase services at 27 LPoE facilities from San Diego, CA to Brownsville, TX.

All site personnel working directly on the project were required to receive security clearance. Security clearances were obtained for project personnel in compliance with HSPD 12 Security Directive, to include an SF85P and compliance with e-QIP. All onsite workers were required to be processed through individual CBP Field Operations Offices, (Tucson, Laredo, and El Paso Field Offices) for background checks. 

Although the sizing and layout of the anti-terrorism, force protection, and operational improvements differed at each LPoE installation, similar protective features were added at most locations.  Typically, renovations and alterations included adding inspection areas and traffic calming/hardening devices to the outbound lanes of traffic (the lanes leaving the US and entering into Mexico).  Specifics of each include:  

• Canopy infrastructure, including foundations and supply of water, power, and data connection
• Surveillance, emergency notification/duress systems, including pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras, fixed cameras, media equipment, data connection ports, emergency notification buttons and duress alarms, all of which were incorporated into the canopies
• Vehicle inspection areas within the canopy consisting of facilities for CBP personnel to conduct outbound primary and secondary vehicle inspections 
• Media collection systems 
• Speed bumps, tire shredders, concrete K-rail, and jersey barriers
• Crash-rated gates designed with Kevlar components for high strength and reduced weight

As a requirement of the contract, all LPoE facilities remained operational during construction. Accordingly, extensive coordination with multiple stakeholders in multiple locations was required. Because the project often required installing the equipment on property controlled by multiple owners, close coordination with CBP and GSA was critical to ensure access agreements were in place with local city, county, state, and Tribal officials.

Arrowhead served as the general contractor for construction of two training facilities at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.  These facilities included an Urban Search and Rescue Tower area and a Confined Space Training simulator.  Both facilities were designed for training Homeland Security personnel in various methods of rescue operations in the event of a natural disaster.  Arrowhead served as the Construction Manager, responsible for oversight of all subcontractors, schedule compliance, health & safety and Quality Control functions.

Primary elements of work at the training tower facility included the construction of two 65 foot tall rope training structures used to simulate retrieval of disaster victims from a multistory building.  Each tower included installation of drilled piers installed to bedrock, structural framing, and installation of decking and an upper level observation deck.  The Confined Space training simulator consisted of four simulated buildings ad interconnecting simulated access tunnels covering approximately 1 acre.  The facility will be used to train building entry and recovery of injured victims through smoke filled spaces with very limited access and complete darkness.

The Fort Leavenworth project consisted of complete roof removal and replacement, with a new standing seam metal roof, on Sheridan and Sherman Halls (built in 1859); complete lighting protection system installation, including the Grant Hall Clock Tower (built in 1908); and rock foundation damp-proofing Sheridan, Sherman, Wagner, and Grant Halls. The project also consisted of new storm sewer upgrades; fire protection service installation; sidewalk, curb, and gutter replacements; roadway stabilization; installation of new asphalt roadways along Scott Avenue; and the installation of a brick porte-cochere entry for Grant Hall. 

Arrowhead was awarded firm-fixed price $3.2M prime contract by the USACE Jacksonville District to provide complete renovation, repairs, and alteration of a former Naval facility located in St. Thomas, USVI. The project was completed on behalf of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE). 

The scope of work entailed the conversion of a 10,000 square-foot, two-story concrete structure. Primary elements of  work included the renovation of Building 2804, as well as civil site work to add appurtenant security features and improve the functionality of the compound. The contract was considered Design-Bid-Build at award, but transitioned into several Design-Build aspects during execution. 

One of the more challenging aspects of this project was the procurement and delivery logistics of getting materials and supplies to this remote location. The Island of St. Thomas (and the neighboring islands in the region) have a limited inventory of the construction-related supplies and materials that will comply with government specifications. This was especially true for specialty items such as the blast-proof windows and security equipment.  As a result, Arrowhead was required to purchase these materials from vendors located in the continental US, and arrange for transport via cargo containers. Arrangements were made to process these materials through US Customs and deliver them to the site for installation.