Base Level Common Equipment

The Base Level Common Equipment (BCE) program, as outlined in Line Item 0312MB7000 of the Army's FY 2026 budget request, is designed to procure commercially available equipment for Army installations and activities. The primary objective of this program is to support garrison operations by providing material and cargo handling equipment, engineering and public works tools, port and terminal support assets, and information technology/audio visual equipment. These items are authorized by the Table of Distribution and Allowances (TDA) but are not centrally managed or purchased by the Army, allowing installations to address specific, localized needs.

One of the key goals of the BCE program is to replace existing equipment that is over-aged, obsolete, or beyond economical repair. Many items in the Installation Management Command (IMCOM) BCE fleet are between fifteen and forty years old, exceeding their programmed life expectancy and Army Maintenance Expenditure Limits (MEL). The program justifies new investments by noting that continued maintenance of outdated equipment is increasingly cost prohibitive and competes with other critical base operations for resources. When new procurement is not possible, Army garrisons often resort to leasing, which can be significantly more expensive over the life of the vehicle.

The BCE line item also supports the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (DACID) by funding the procurement of non-standard, off-the-shelf equipment for forensic and investigative purposes. The program enables the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory (USACIL) to modernize its capabilities in trace evidence, DNA, and drug chemistry disciplines. This supports the advancement of criminal investigative and executive protection capabilities across DACID, ensuring that USACIL remains a world-class forensic provider for all Military Criminal Investigative Organizations (MCIOs) within the Department of Defense.

For FY 2026, the BCE program allocates resources to IMCOM for new investments or replacement of equipment that has become outdated or uneconomical to repair. This funding is critical for maintaining the operational readiness of Army installations, allowing them to continue supporting homeland defense missions, domestic emergency responses, and military support to civil authorities as required by section 1815 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 110-181).

Additionally, resources are designated for DACID to procure emerging technologies and replace outdated laboratory instruments. These investments are intended to enhance the Army's forensic and investigative capabilities, including the lifecycle replacement of servers, video teleconference equipment, and other IT/AV technologies that are critical for executive protection and investigative functions. The flexibility to procure commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) and government-off-the-shelf (GOTS) equipment ensures that the Army can rapidly respond to evolving technological requirements.

The BCE line item encompasses multiple equipment categories, including cranes, rough terrain forklifts, loader transports, and truck-mounted cranes. Each category addresses specific operational needs, such as material handling and engineering support, and is procured based on installation requirements and equipment age. Procurement quantities are determined based on operational needs across all categories.