DG 1110-3-146
Design Guide: Military Police Facilities
December 1979
Criteria for Upgrading Existing Facilities: Pre-Planning Decisions
OMA funds authorized for maintenance and repair in
appropriate, at least two different partial upgrading
alternatives should be fully developed and carefully
accordance with local approval. This is especially
studied before a final choice is made. For example,
important where MCA program limitations severely
limit funding resources or where certain physical
one might emphasize interior changes in room lay-
outs and circulation, the other exterior adjustments to
limitations (the unavailability of a site or facility) may
effectively reduce or prohibit the accomplishment of
building form. This should be done as a means of
evaluating the cost-effectiveness of upgrading alter-
some project objectives. Also, self-help methods of
improvement may be used to accomplish low priority
natives where the sites are relatively similar or where
location is not the most significant determinant of
upgrading projects. Larger-scale projects with ur-
suitability. Alternatives should consider the possibility
gent requirements are usually given a high priority
and would most likely be accomplished under urgent
of expanding the inadequate space of facilities that
minor military construction authorizations (MCA). In
are mostly constructed of substantial-permanent
determining project priorities, it is important to note
type materials. Where there are sufficient alternatives,
that the use of urgent minor MCA funds requires an
converting spatially adequate but mechanically and
approval procedure that is different from that re-
structurally obsolete, temporary type construction
quired for OMA funding. Project funding under minor
should not be considered. Where it is estimated that
MCA programs also has a higher authorization level.
an alternative to total replacement will have a con-
Because of this higher authorization level, most large-
struction cost in excess of 50 percent of such re-
scale projects involving the upgrading of existing
placement cost for new construction, a third alter-
facilities will be accomplished under minor MCA pro-
native must be considered - namely the erection of a
grams. This will allow the appropriate review of proj-
totally new facility. Also, where the square foot costs
ect requirements in which a final determination will
for the partial upgrading of existing facilities includ-
be made as to whether or not new construction might
ing necessary relocations, are in excess of 50 per-
be more effective as a means to achieving functional
cent of the square foot cost for a corresponding
objectives.
portion of new construction, consideration should be
given to:
(2) Program Characteristics A general review of
the specific program characteristics contained in the
(a) The incremental development and ultimate re-
AR 415 series particularly AR 415-15, 415-20, and
placement of existing facilities by the construction of
415-35, and the criteria governing the funding of
conventional permanent facilities.
maintenance and repair activities contained in AR
(b) The acquisition of modular pre-engineered facili-
420-10 should be used to identify appropriate pro-
ties functioning concurrently with existing facilities as
grams.
a short or middle-term alternative.
f. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Technical assistance
e. PROJECT FUNDING The accomplishment of in-
will usually be sought from the local Facilities Engineer
dividual upgrading projects depends to a large extent on
where the using service must determine detailed me-
a careful evaluation of the various construction pro-
chanical and technical requirements. The condition of
grams used to provide project funding. Funding for the
existing mechanical, structural and environmental sys-
construction of totally new facilities is typically autho-
tems may indicate the need for professional engineering
rized under and governed by major MCA programs and
assistance. Such assistance will usually involve the prep-
procedures. Funding for projects which upgrade exist-
aration of a preliminary evaluation of mechanical, struc-
ing facilities reflects the variety that is characteristic of
tural and environmental systems and the effect their
the scale of modernization and improvement projects.
physical condition has on mission performance. This is
Limitations on funding imposed by specific construction
particularly important for large existing operations and
programs are important considerations in determining
for operations that expect a need to significantly in-
project priorities. Because of these limitations there
crease or improve present physical facilities over the
may be considerable differences between actual up-
long term. In some cases, technical assistance may be
grading requirements and the cost, type and classi-
required to plan and design engineering systems accu-
fication of modernization and improvement projects
rately for substantial expansion of primary and support
allowed under specific construction programs. Also,
facilities. Extensive upgrading requirements, especially
because the responsibility for approvals and the range
where the need for total new construction is a possibility,
of authorizations varies and because appropriated and
will usually require specific technical expertise such as,
non-appropriated funds have specific limitations as to
mechanical engineering, structural engineering, value
use, no single construction program or level and source
engineering, site engineering, equipment and furnish-
of funding will always be acceptable for accomplishing
ing specification, or other specialized knowledge. Spe-
a given project objective. The following should guide
cific guidance follows on the principal requirements for
decisions as to project funding
and sources of technical assistance.
(1) Principal Requirements Technical assistance
(1) Program Limitations For small-scale upgrad-
is primarily required:
ing projects, the using service might consider use of
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