JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (July 12, 2012) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District has awarded a $51 million contract to design and construct an elementary school at Fort Buchanan in Puerto Rico to Gilbane Building Company of Lakewood Ranch, Fla. The school is a component of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA)/Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools and will replace the current Antilles Elementary School.
The state-of-the-art school is one of the first DoDEA schools that will incorporate 21st century school design elements and is expected to achieve a Leadership in Engineering and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating as an energy efficient and environmentally sustainable school. The plan configuration, which is fully accessible, was developed with input from school users and the educational program specific to the school, to support multiple learning and teaching modes.
Design components for the school include a special education suite, art and music rooms, a gymnasium and playgrounds, outdoor classrooms, an information center and occupational and physical therapy areas. The two-story building will have an open floor plan that will accommodate flexibility of the interior spaces and encourage collaboration. Multi-purpose “Learning Streets” will provide common areas for building community among students and visitors, and will include space for exhibits, displays and interactive kiosks.
The contract award followed a two-step submittal, review and ranking process implemented in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations. “The goal was to select the best proposal representing a fair and reasonable value for the government and for the taxpayers,” said Frank Grant, project manager.
Gilbane Building Company has operated in Puerto Rico since 2000, and opened an area office in San Juan in 2004.
Release no. 12-056