The National Science and Technology Center’s Division of Architectural and Engineering Services provides a wide variety of building engineering and site engineering services for BLM offices. Our multidisciplinary staff of professionals work in concert to provide complete and comprehensive services to our customers. Our technical services include condition evaluations and assessments (including accessibility, physical conditions, seismic evaluations and codes compliance), project planning, design development, engineering analysis, final design (construction documents), and construction administration. In addition to our in-house technical expertise, the Division manages several national architectural and engineering (A/E) contracts and interagency agreements for the Bureau, which provide expanded capabilities and services to our customers.

Building Engineering Services

We provide architectural and engineering planning, design, and technical services related to BLM’s buildings and other occupied structures.

Accessibility

We work with our customers to ensure that all new facilities are fully accessible to people with disabilities, and that all existing facilities, especially those undergoing remodeling or retrofitting, meet certain requirements regarding accessibility. We:

• Interpret and clarify the technical requirements of the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG).
• Review construction documents (specifications and/or drawings) of existing or planned buildings and recreation sites for conformance with UFAS and ADAAG, as well as national building codes, including the Life Safety Code and Uniform Building Code.
• Inspect existing buildings and recreation sites to determine compliance with accessibility and code requirements.
• Prepare reports, including drawings, narratives, and construction cost estimates, outlining measures to improve accessibility and code compliance.

Contact:

Frank Ciesel
303-987-6854 (voice)
frank_ciesel@blm.gov

Architectural Design

We provide planning and design solutions for BLM buildings and administrative sites. Specifically, we:

• Develop designs for new sites as well as designs for renovations and additions.
• Prepare contract documents, including bid schedules, drawings, specifications, and cost estimates.
• Identify and document customer needs; analyze and develop site-specific solutions; select materials and systems; estimate project costs; develop 3-D computer-aided design drawings; and review designs prepared by others.
• Prepare feasibility studies, site studies, conceptual plans, and master plans for recreation and administrative projects.
• Inspect and review submittals from contractors to determine applicable code or design compliance.
• Inspect existing buildings to determine safety and rehabilitation requirements and prepare full reports with findings and recommendations.

Contact:

Tom Busch
303-987-6861 (voice)
tom_busch@blm.gov

Electrical, Mechanical, and Structural Engineering

We provide services that are common to each of these disciplines, such as interdisciplinary planning (feasibility studies, site studies, conceptual plans, master plans); design development; preparation of final contract documents, including bid schedules, drawings, specifications, and cost estimates; inspection and review of submittals by contractors; and safety inspections and reports. In addition, we provide a variety of other services specific to each discipline:

• Electrical Engineering: We develop or review site-specific solutions for power distribution systems, including isolated ground distribution systems for connecting computer and related equipment; interior and exterior lighting systems, including selecting replacement lamp and ballast types; control systems for pumps, HVAC, and other motor type systems; and fire detection and alarm and security systems.
• Mechanical Engineering: We develop or review site-specific solutions for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems; plumbing, water, and waste systems; and pipelines and well systems.
• Structural Engineering: We develop site-specific structural designs relating to buildings (including roofs, walls, and foundations) and bridges (both substructure and superstructure).

Contact:

Tom Busch
303-987-6861 (voice)
tom_busch@blm.gov

Interior Design

We provide a full array of interior design services. Specifically, we:

• Develop interior designs for buildings.
• Prepare contract documents, including bid schedules, drawings, specifications, and cost estimates.
• Identify and document customer needs; analyze and develop site-specific solutions; develop systems or traditional furniture layouts; complete millwork design intent drawings; address graphics, signage, aesthetics, and ergonomics issues; and review designs prepared by others.
• Assist in preparing feasibility studies, site studies, conceptual plans, and master plans for buildings.
• Inspect and review submittals from contractors to determine applicable code or design compliance.
• Inspect to determine rehabilitation requirements and prepare full reports with findings and recommendations.

Contact:

Tom Busch
303-987-6861 (voice)
tom_busch@blm.gov

Site Engineering Services

We provide architectural and engineering planning, design, and technical services related to BLM’s outdoor facilities, roads, recreation sites, and other miscellaneous structures.

Civil and Environmental Engineering

We develop or review site-specific solutions for recreation area facilities; transportation and parking facilities; marina, dock, and beach facilities; administrative sites; storm water and erosion control; reclamation and restoration projects; construction related to wetland and habitat mitigation; dams and levees; water supply, treatment and distribution; wastewater collection, treatment and disposal; and storm water management systems.

Contact:

Pat Fleming
303-987-6856 (voice)
pat_fleming@blm.gov

Bridge Inspection and Design

We work with our customers to provide safe bridges and major culverts through a uniform system of design, construction, and maintenance management. We:

• Review designs of bridges and major culverts done by others, including architectural and engineering firms, for conformance to the current edition of the Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
• Assist in monitoring the quality and acceptability of construction of bridges and major culverts.
• Conduct condition surveys and technical inspections of bridges and major culverts to determine the maintenance needed on a crossing structure.
• Prepare construction contract documents for bridges and major culverts.

Contact:

Keith Christiansen
303-987-6853 (voice)
keith_christiansen@blm.gov

Dam Safety

We consult with BLM Field Offices and provide technical assistance on dams. We coordinate with other agencies and represent BLM at interagency meetings and professional meetings regarding dam safety issues.

Contact: Position Vacant

Gary Fisk
303-987-6869 (voice)
gary_fisk@blm.gov

Landscape Architecture

We provide planning and design solutions for proposed campgrounds, picnic areas, visitor service and administrative facilities, site restoration and revegetation, boat launches, parking areas, and other recreation developments. In addition, we:

• Prepare contract documents, including bid schedules, drawings, specifications, and cost estimates.
• Identify and document customer needs; analyze and develop site-specific solutions for hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, backcountry and scenic byways, interpretive projects, wild and scenic rivers, wildlife viewing areas, off highway vehicle use, and other recreation projects; and review designs prepared by others.
• Participate in preparing feasibility studies, site studies, conceptual plans, and master plans for recreation and administrative projects.
• Inspect and review submittals from contractors to determine applicable code or design compliance.

Contact:

Mark Pritchett
303-969-2676 (voice)
mark_pritchett@blm.gov

Seismic Safety in Federal Buildings

We consult with our customers to help ensure that Federal buildings are safe for government employees as well as visitors. We provide support for inventories and inspections that are required to ensure the safety of Federal buildings in high seismic active areas. In addition, we coordinate with other agencies and represent BLM at interagency and Department of the Interior (DOI) meetings.

Contact:

Barry Welton
303-969-2366 (voice)
barry_welton@blm.gov

Other Services

Construction Drawings

We provide a variety of services to assist in developing high-quality products that support Bureau project design. Specifically, we provide:

• Computer-aided drafting (AutoCAD, Land Development Desktop, Architectural Desktop)
• Development of Bureauwide CADD Standards
• Development of standard drawings for Bureauwide use
• Development of Bureauwide drafting standards
• Scanning services for large drawings
• Photocopying of full-size engineering drawings

Contact:

Sue Weber
303-987-6870 (voice)
Sue_Weber@blm.gov

Construction Specifications

We consult with our customers on the Bureau’s guide specifications and coordinate guide specifications with standard drawings. In addition, we provide information on project specifications section numbers and titles, reference standards (such as the American Society for Testing and Materials, American Concrete Institute, or American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials), vendor products, and guide specifications written by other Federal agencies and private-sector organizations (such as the American Institute of Architects).

Contact:

Jack Emrick
303-987-6868 (voice)
jack_emrick@blm.gov

Value Engineering

We provide a structured approach to analyzing a project or process to improve the product or reduce the cost (or both) while satisfying management needs. We provide
guidance and assistance in implementing the Department's value engineering program. We also provide technical assistance for performing value engineering studies of BLM construction projects. In addition, we provide guidance and assistance in adapting and implementing value analysis concepts for BLM operations.

Contact:

Ed Giagni
303-987-6862 (voice)
ed_giagni@blm.gov

A/E Contract Services

In order to augment our staff and add additional technical A/E capabilities to our in house expertise, the Division manages several national architectural and engineering (A/E) contracts and interagency agreements for the Bureau. We offer a full array of A/E Contract Services in A/E selection, project planning, design, construction management and project inspection, including:

• Evaluation and selection of firms for A&E contracts;
• Chair or participate in A&E evaluation boards and in selection of A&E firms,
• Provide support for negotiations,
• Preparation of Statements of Work and Task orders for A&E contracts,
• Monitor progress of A/E work,
• Review A&E designs for compliance with applicable codes and contract requirements
• Oversee construction activities through A/E contracts.

Contact:

Ed Giagni
303-987-6862 (voice)
ed_giagni@blm.gov