Skanska secured a significant contract from the U.S. Navy, acting on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to construct the new NOAA Marine Operations Center at Naval Station Newport in Newport, RI, USA.
This substantial contract is valued at USD 147 million, and the new facility will be the future home of NOAA’s Marine Operations Center – Atlantic.
NOAA Marine Operations Center in Newport – Project Summary
According to NOAA, while the facility’s design specifics and details are still being finalized, prerequisites involve a pier accommodating four large vessels, a floating dock for smaller ships, designated space for vessel maintenance, parking facilities, and a multipurpose building serving as shoreside support and a warehouse (rendering provided below).
The funding for the design and construction stems partly from the Inflation Reduction Act from the Biden-Harris Administration, a $3.3 billion investment aimed at bolstering communities, including tribes and vulnerable populations, to fortify against weather and climate-related incidents, fostering a climate-ready nation.
This act supports infrastructure enhancements, augments weather and climate data services, and reinforces NOAA’s research aircraft and ship fleet.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – About it
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a United States scientific agency within the Department of Commerce that focuses on the conditions of the oceans, major waterways, and the atmosphere.
Its mission covers a wide range of areas, including weather forecasting, climate monitoring, fisheries management, ocean exploration, and protecting marine and coastal ecosystems.
NOAA operates various research laboratories, conducts satellite monitoring, and provides essential data and information to support both public safety and environmental stewardship.
NOAA Marine Operations Center in Newport – Skanska's Contract
It is understood that Skanska will deliver the new NOAA facility at Rhode Island’s Naval Station Newport under a USD 147 million Design-Build (DB) Contract.
Before procuring and executing a DB Contract, the agency/owner (in this case, NOAA) typically develops the initial project requirements, including preliminary design, a detailed scope of work, and an indicative construction program. This document set the basis for the procurement process, as detailed below.
Suggested Reading: Design and Construct (D&C) Contracts – How do they Work?
Skanska’s contract encompasses the construction of:
- A new pier which will be able to accommodate four large vessels and utilities required for operation
- A 22,129-square-foot (2,000-square-meter) administration building, which includes parking spaces and exterior storage areas (rendering below), and
- An adjoining loading and laydown zone.
Envisioned as the future headquarters for NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) in the Atlantic region, construction commenced on-site in December 2023, with anticipated completion slated for July 2027, according to Skanska.
