The politically-linked uncertainties of federal budgeting, the fast-changing military mission globally and strong construction market draws elsewhere are putting the squeeze on U.S. Defense Dept. building programs and contractors' ability and inclination to participate in billions of planned dollars worth of work, said speakers and 320 attendees at a DOD and federal programs' briefing March 30 in Arlington, Va. Speakers at the conference, sponsored by the Society of American Military Engineers and formerly known as the "engineering service chiefs briefing," came to talk about plans for fiscal 08 and beyond. Discussion Topic A: delays in Congressional approval of supplemental fiscal '07 funding for DOD construction programs and differences with the Bush administration over Iraq troop withdrawal schedules threaten to prompt a presidential veto of spending legislation. overhung the renamed and expanded conference, formerly known as the "engineering service chiefs briefing."
The House and Senate recessed for Easter break on March 30 without reconciling differences in their bills. Of particular interest is $3.1 billion still outstanding for 07 base realignment and closure (BRAC) activities. About $2.5 billion in 07 BRAC funds was committed last fall. Brig. Gen. Merdith "Bo" Temple, director of military programs for the Army Corps of Engineers , said the Corps is rushing to award $4.5 billion in existing 07 funds for BRAC work, and for military construction for Army, d Air Force and non-DOD customers. "DOD continues to burn though the 07 allocation waiting for the supplemental," he said. "By summer, if there is no bill, we will run out of funding. But I don't think that's likely."