USACE - EA for Construction of a STOL at PECR, Shaw AFB SC - MRAS

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in collaboration with the General Services Administration (GSA), is conducting market research to identify potential contractors for a project at Shaw Air Force Base (AFB) and McEntire Joint National Guard Base (JNGB). The primary goal of this initiative is to support and enhance training capabilities for various mission sets, including Tactical Landing Zone Operations, Combat Controllers (CCT), Tactical Air Control Parties (TACP), and Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) operations. This project aims to address current training shortfalls by developing a suitable range environment that facilitates interoperability training between aircraft, assets, and ground controllers.

The scope of work involves constructing a Short Takeoff and Landing Strip (STOL) at the Poinsett Electronic Combat Range (PECR). This will entail clearing 0.4 acres of forest for the runway itself and approximately 15 acres for the approach angle. The STOL is designed to be 3,500 feet long and 130 feet wide, with wider ends to accommodate turnarounds for small aircraft and UAVs. Construction tasks include leveling, compacting with clay, adding crushed stone base material, thorough ordinance clearing by EOD personnel before construction begins, and post-construction stabilization with cover grass.

In addition to construction activities, the contractor will be responsible for comprehensive project management tasks. These include preparing monthly progress reports, maintaining updated project schedules, facilitating virtual kickoff meetings and data collection efforts, coordinating bi-weekly teleconferences or meetings with stakeholders, supporting on-site workshops at Shaw AFB/PECR as required by the schedule, and ensuring regulatory compliance through effective interagency coordination.

Furthermore, the contractor must deliver environmental documentation such as Preliminary Draft DOPAA documents for review along with noise study deliverables that assess operational impacts in terms of noise modeling using approved DoD software. These efforts are crucial in ensuring that all environmental impact assessments are thoroughly conducted to support informed decision-making processes regarding this critical infrastructure development project.