Partnering Case Studies

Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS)
Site Establishment
Reedy Point, Delaware

Partnering Lesson:

• Good communication improves project results.
• Utilize organization's unique capabilities.
• Partnering required to handle multiple agencies and contractors.

Project Description
A new DGPS site at Reedy Point, Delaware was built to integrate into the Nationwide DGPS network, which is operated and maintained by the US Coast Guard. The project scope also included site excavation adjacent to a dredged material disposal area and demolition of an existing communications site, the installation of ground plane and reference station antennas, the installation of a concrete equipment shelter, and the erection of DGPS electronics suite.

Project Challenges:

• Design site located on dredged material.
• Constantly changing electronics equipment/requirements were incorporated into the design.
• The allowance for access road was within limited space at the site.
• Coordination of multiple parties, including designers and contractors.
• The remote location prompted a need for a vandal-proof site.

Issue 1:
This project was accomplished through the efforts of a wide variety of contractors, agencies and interagency departments. The Coast Guard had a variety of team members who contributed to the different elements of the project, including the Navigation Center for project administration and the Maintenance and Logistics Command Atlantic and the Engineering Logistics Center for system design. The Corps of Engineers' Geotechnical Section contributed to foundation design; their General Design Section was responsible for final site design; and their Environmental Branch worked on the Environmental Assessment. The Operations Section was responsible for the overall project. One contractor performed site work; another was responsible for the Equipment Shelter. A third contractor was responsible for soil analysis and the Joint Spectrum Center was responsible for modeling the site to check for possible interference with existing communications systems. The success of the project relied on careful coordination and good communication between all parties involved. It was important to have a single person responsible for the coordination of information between players. The swift resolution of problems and the rapid dissemination of these resolutions were equally important.

Issue 2:
Partnering allowed each organization to bring their unique expertise to the table. The Coast Guard led the DGPS site establishment, operation and maintenance. They developed the electronics equipment and are mandated by law to provide this service for the US Maritime community. The Corps had the Construction, Engineering and Contracting expertise to develop and construct the site as well as ownership of the Real Estate. Each organization contributed from its strength, ensuring the final product was the best that it could be.

Benefits of Partnering:

• Enables merging unique capabilities and expertise of multiple parties
• Promotes good relationships and team concept that will endure after project is completed
• Develops interpersonal and management skills
• Increases efficiency and cost savings
• Multiple agency and contractor communication established

Stakeholders:
US Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District, US Coast Guard, Joint Spectrum Center, Lazy-B Construction Company, Rohn Industries, Inc.