NAVFAC Southeast Secures $72.4 Million Deal for Major Airfield Overhaul at NAS Key West

The airfield at Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West is set for a significant renovation. Critical repairs will be done on the airfield’s runway and taxiway surfaces. This includes milling, resurfacing, joint sealing, and necessary full-depth repairs.

Lt. Cmdr. Aaron Buren, the public works officer for the Public Works Department Key West, emphasized the importance of this project. “The comprehensive airfield pavement project will restore runways and taxiways used in support of the Chief of Naval Operations’ 2024 Navigation Plan—focusing on readiness for the possibility of war and enhancing the Navy’s long-term advantage by training warfighters,” he stated.

The significance of NAS Key West as a military aviation hub cannot be overstated. During the 2024 fiscal year, the station supported 79,000 flight hours for 1,220 aircraft. These repairs will notably extend the airfield’s operational life, a necessity for sustaining mission readiness and national security operations.

The scope of work is extensive. It includes milling and resurfacing of runways 4-22, 08-26, and 14-32, covering overruns, blast pavements, and shoulders. Additionally, repairs to taxiways, labeled A through M, will address critical areas such as pavement slope drop-offs.

The contract has an initial phase but also contains two unexercised options. If both are awarded, the total contract value will reach $96.9 million.

The contract was awarded through a competitive procurement process. The Best Value Trade-Off Source Selection method was used, evaluating both technical factors and price. From three offers, Head/Diaz 2022 emerged as the winner based on superior technical capability and competitive pricing.

Work is slated to occur at NAS Key West, Florida, with an expected project completion date of January 2027.

NAVFAC Southeast, based in Jacksonville, Florida, oversees the planning and execution of such projects. They provide a range of services to the U.S. Navy and other federal agencies across the Southeast region, encompassing areas like real estate and facility maintenance.