Grissom Air Reserve Base Operations Group Facility Renovation
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District
LOCATION: Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana
SIZE: $4,060,00
AWARD DATE: September 2018
COMPLETED: October 2020
AACON served as the prime contractor for the $4 million Design-Bid-Build renovation of the Operations Group Facility at Grissom Air Reserve Base, managing a complete interior and exterior modernization within an active U.S. Air Force installation. The project required extensive coordination to maintain operational continuity for base personnel while executing demolition, asbestos abatement, structural repair, and system upgrades throughout the 8,563-square-foot facility. AACON established a fully functional temporary operations facility equipped with user-specific telecommunications to ensure uninterrupted mission support during the multi-phased renovation.
The project encompassed replacement of the existing EPDM roof system, full demolition and reconstruction of the interior infrastructure, and installation of new mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and fire protection systems. Major building systems included a new direct digital control (DDC) HVAC system, variable air volume (VAV) units, hydronic piping, ductwork, air terminals, relief dampers, exhaust fans, and a new telecommunications system integrated with the base’s network. AACON also installed new lighting, ceilings, doors, and interior finishes, along with a wet-pipe sprinkler system and a fire alarm/mass notification system compliant with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and DoD criteria.
Exterior work included the removal and replacement of all architectural aluminum windows and storefronts with thermally broken, blast-resistant assemblies meeting UFC 4-010-01 antiterrorism standards. AACON also performed masonry reconstruction, portico construction, and roofing tie-ins to accommodate new mechanical penetrations. All exterior sealants and transitions were re-sealed using military-grade Dow Corning and Tremco systems to ensure durability and weather protection.
AACON performed a complete renovation of the facility’s men’s and women’s restrooms, incorporating ADA-compliant layouts, high-performance porcelain tile, HDPE partitions, solid-surface countertops, low-flow fixtures, moisture-resistant ceilings, and upgraded ventilation tied into the new HVAC system. All finishes were selected for long-term durability, ease of maintenance, and compliance with DoD accessibility and energy efficiency standards.
One of the project’s primary challenges was the relocation of building occupants and maintenance of uninterrupted base operations during construction. AACON coordinated closely with USACE and USAF representatives to deliver, install, and upgrade the temporary operations facility before initiating demolition activities. This proactive sequencing minimized downtime and allowed the renovation to progress safely and efficiently.
AACON self-performed 22% of the contract, including project management, supervision, QA/QC, safety oversight, demolition, metal partition framing, painting, finish carpentry, and landscaping restoration. Major subcontractors supported mechanical, electrical, plumbing, roofing, flooring, masonry, and blast-resistant glazing scopes.
The Operations Group Facility was accepted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 61 days ahead of schedule on October 16, 2020, marking AACON’s third successful project at Grissom Air Reserve Base. The quality of execution and schedule performance led to two additional negotiated contracts at GARB, underscoring AACON’s reputation for excellence in delivering complex federal renovations with precision, safety, and efficiency.
