Grunley Wins $118M Navy Contract for MQ-25 Drone Facilities at Norfolk
Engineering News-Record reports that the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command has awarded Rockville, Md.-based Grunley Construction Co. a $117.8-million military construction contract for MQ-25 Aircraft Laydown Facilities at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. The July 17 firm-fixed-price award supports the Navy’s carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling program and covers a new hangar annex, renovations and additions to existing Hangar LP48, a Ground-Based Sense and Avoid antenna tower, aircraft apron improvements and related site infrastructure.
Scope also includes utility relocation, deep pile foundations, stormwater management upgrades, expanded security fencing, underground electrical and communications systems, and new water, sewer, natural gas and fire-protection infrastructure. The Navy obligated $65.8 million at award, with the balance to follow through future military construction appropriations. Completion is scheduled for April 2029. Four offers were received through the competitive SAM.gov solicitation.
Site work carries added complexity: the location sits on manmade land shaped by decades of airfield and industrial activity, requiring remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater, treatment of dewatering runoff, and disposal of legacy aqueous film-forming foam tied to Hangar LP48’s fire-protection system. Separately, NAVFAC Northwest awarded a $45-million architect-engineer IDIQ contract to Trevet-NOREAS JV LLC of San Diego for environmental restoration services running through January 2032.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Environmental remediation and civil subcontractors should note the soil/groundwater contamination and AFFF disposal scope tied to Hangar LP48, work likely to be packaged separately from general construction given its specialized nature.
- Electrical, mechanical and site utility trades have a clear scope target: underground electrical/communications systems, deep pile foundations, new water/sewer/gas/fire-protection lines and expanded security fencing, all part of Grunley’s prime contract through the April 2029 completion date.
- Firms pursuing federal environmental services work can track the $45-million Trevet-NOREAS JV IDIQ at NAVFAC Northwest, active through January 2032, as a separate entry point for restoration task orders across the command’s broader area of responsibility.
