Recently approved fiscal 2006 appropriations bills show uneven results for federal buildings accounts, with hikes for some programs and cuts in others. But those figures may not be final. If Congress shifts Federal Emergency Management Agency funds to rebuild hurricane-damaged Gulf Coast infrastructure, it could mean an infusion for military and veterans facilities. But there also is talk in Congress about a small cut in many 2006 discretionary accounts.
At this point, 2006 gains for buildings programs seem to outweigh reductions, but most of the increases come from the boost for the Dept. of Defenses new base realignment and closure round, says Karen Bachman, Associated General Contractors government affairs director for environment, federal markets and procurement. Even with 2006s mixed picture, "We see the federal [buildings] market expanding a substantial amount," says Larry Bory, vice president for federal government relations at HDR.