This Branch provides architectural and engineering planning, design, and technical services related to BLM outdoor facilities, roads, recreation sites, and other miscellaneous structures.

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Branch develops or reviews 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.

The point of contact is:

Pat Fleming
(303)236-1156
pat_fleming@blm.gov

Bridge Inspection and Design

The Branch works with customers to provide safe bridges and major culverts through a uniform system of design, construction, and maintenance management. Emphasis is on:

• 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 assessments 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.
• Coordinates Interagency Agreements with Federal Highways on inspection of specific Bureau bridges.

The point of contact is:

Keith Christiansen
(303)236-1165
keith_christiansen@blm.gov

Dam Safety

The Branch consults with BLM Field Offices and provides technical assistance on dams. They coordinate Interagency Agreements with other agencies (Bureau of Reclamation) and represent BLM at interagency meetings and professional meetings regarding dam safety issues. Emphasis is on:

• Assist in monitoring the quality and acceptability of construction of BLM owned, hazard rated dams.
• Conduct condition assessments and technical inspections of hazard rated dams.
• Prepare construction contract documents for hazard rated dams.

The point of contact is:

Gary Fisk
(303)234-1166
gary_fisk@blm;gov

Landscape Architecture

The Branch provides planning and design solutions for proposed campgrounds, picnic areas, visitor service and administrative facilities, site restoration and re-vegetation, boat launches, parking areas, and other recreation developments. Emphasis is on:

• Preparing 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.

The point of contact is:

Mark Pritchett
(303)236-1167
mark_pritchett@blm.gov

Seismic Safety in Federal Buildings

The Branch consults with customers to help ensure that Federal buildings are safe for government employees and the visiting public. They provide support for inventories and inspections that are required to ensure the safety of Federal buildings in high seismic active areas. In addition, they coordinate with other agencies (Bureau of Reclamation) and represent BLM at interagency and Department of Interior (DOI) meetings.

The point of contact is:

Barry Welton
(303)236-1162
barry_welton@blm.gov

Other Services

Construction Drawings

The Branch provide a variety of services to assist in developing high-quality products that support Bureau project design. Emphasis is on:

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

The point of contact is:

Sue Weber
(303)236-1161
sue_weber@blm.gov

Construction Specifications

The Branch consults with customers on the Bureau’s use of the IBC and MasterSpec®.

The point of contact is:

Jack Emrick
(303)236-1157
jack_emrick@blm.gov

Value Engineering

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

The point of contact is:

Ed Giagni
(303)236-1173
ed_giagni@blm.gov

A/E Contract Services

In order to augment our staff and add additional technical A/E capabilities to the in-house expertise, the Division manages several national architectural and engineering (A/E) contracts and interagency agreements for the Bureau. They 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
• Serve as the Contracting Officers Representative (COR) for A&E task orders or delivery orders
• Monitor progress of A&E work
• Review A&E designs for compliance with applicable coded and contract requirements
• Oversee construction activities through A&E contracts.

The point of contact is:

Ed Giagni
(303)236-1173
ed_giagni@blm.gov