Modifications to EPA Laboratory Spaces B21/23/25/27
AGENCY: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
LOCATION: Cincinnati, Ohio
SIZE: $220,313
PRIME: AACON General Contractors
AWARD DATE: September 2023
COMPLETED: November 2024
AACON served as the prime contractor under an active EPA IDIQ, delivering a small-dollar federal renovation project within the Andrew W. Breidenbach Environmental Research Center (AWBERC)—a 10-story, 350,000 SF operational research and office facility. The project involved interior lab modernization and MEP system upgrades across four active laboratory suites (B21, B23, B25, and B27).
Scope of work included the demolition and replacement of a ducted fume hood system, installation of vented acid and solvent cabinets, cup sinks with lab drain tie-ins, and DI water piping connected to the facility’s existing B-Pure system. AACON also coordinated the installation of a freestanding chemical filtration cabinet and completed select interior finishes. All lab casework and fume hood equipment were owner-specified.
Work was performed in a continuously occupied federal facility, requiring strict adherence to access, containment, and safety protocols. AACON carefully sequenced construction to minimize disruption—isolating one lab at a time and coordinating daily activities with the EPA’s technical lead to maintain operations in adjacent laboratories.
During construction, AACON resolved several field challenges, including re-routing the DI water line to accommodate existing cabinetry and modifying electrical layouts for the chemical filtration cabinet. These adjustments were executed efficiently, maintaining both schedule and safety standards.
The project was completed on time and within budget, passing EPA’s lab commissioning inspections on the first review. The EPA Contracting Officer and COR commended AACON for its professionalism, responsiveness, and technical expertise—resulting in follow-on task orders under the same IDIQ contract.
