2003 ACE AWARDS

STAR WARS - PERCHANCE, but NORAD IS TRULY “THE FORCE”

            On May 1, 2000, Ludvik Electric Co. received the Notice to Proceed, from Swinerton Builders, for the USSPACECOM facility at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO.  Swinerton entered into a Design Build Contract Agreement with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and chose Ludvik as the electrical support to their design-build team. 

            The design phase, which commenced in May 2000, was successful through the extensive partnering efforts of  Swinerton, RNL Design, Merrick Engineers, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, and a crew of competent subcontractors such as Ludvik.  

            Construction of the NORAD  project, which was underway in August 2000, included two buildings, the U.S. Army Space Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command/U.S. Space Command Headquarters.  These would connect to an existing Air Force Space Command facility to form a “space complex”.  The initial plan was to unite military space forces into a campus which would house the Army, Air Force and Unified Combatant Command at one central site in addition to being utilized as an office and laboratory facility for research, development and long term worldwide missile control.  Both structural steel-framed buildings were two stories with basements. The Army Building totals more than 100,000 square feet, and the U.S. Space Command Building consists of 158,000 square feet.  Site development included lighting, security, and a substantial duct-bank and manhole systems for communications with primary distribution extending from the existing utilities on base

            “Deter, Detect, Defend.”  That is the motto of the men and women who serve in the North American Aerospace Defense Command who protect North America.  Before September 11^th, 2001, NORAD’s focus was virtually fixed on threats coming toward the Canadian and American borders, not terrorism in our domestic airspace.  Because of that day, NORAD’s focus has increased to include the national atmosphere through use of ground-based radar, airborne satellites, fighter aircraft, proven command structures and intelligence capabilities to control the skies over the United States and Canada.

            The NORAD job was progressing when a new mission was given to US Space Command in September after the 9/11 events.  With the construction team’s goal to accommodate the government’s requirements, they hardly hesitated when told to add an additional 25,000 square feet to the NORAD Building even though design was 90 percent complete and the holes for the foundations were being dug.  Along with the 25,000 square foot increase, there would be tens of thousands of feet of fiber optic cable added to the already complicated communication scope. There were chases and overhead clearances to comply with, while providing for the #1 priority, the Protected Distribution Systems (PDS), that consisted of red and black separation and all the communication conveyance systems, raceways, and infrastructure for the building. To add to the challenge, Ludvik was required to work through tunnels that had to be bored under existing roads, sidewalks, etc. in order to install the communication ductbank.   This ductbank was filled with 12” round steel sleeves that contained multiple 4” conduits.  These sleeves were then pumped full of concrete slurry.  This was critical in order to eliminate any movement in the conduits and to alleviate any possibility that there could be a potential to eavesdrop on the Protected Communication Systems.

            One of Ludvik’s most difficult tasks was the above-ceiling areas, only allowing three and four feet to the deck.  These were full of mechanical equipment that had to be coordinated with substantial electrical equipment, including 14,500 feet of cable tray, four million feet of electrical wire, rigid conduit, and as mentioned, cable network for the all important data and communications systems.

            Ludvik Electric Co.’s contract also required that they install 15KV primary services to double-ended substations for redundancy, which included two 1500 KVA transformers and two 3300 KVA transformers.  Ludvik provided three 1500 KW generators, to allow for all critical electronic systems to operate indefinitely based on fuel quantity.

            Additionally, the high bay atrium area with indirect lighting was a real challenge to reach and install our products safely.   Ludvik who is committed to proper safety training of every employee, employs a full time safety officer and provides rewards to those who work safe.  Because of Ludvik’s commitment to safety, the company worked over 135,000 man-hours on the NORAD project with no lost time injuries.

            Since the project was located at a functioning Air Force Base, and therefore a project with high security levels, difficult requirements were placed on Ludvik Electric Co.  These included security, safety, quality control, schedule, and site access. 

            One of the largest challenges for Ludvik and the construction team was the 27-month schedule, on a project with such details.  Both buildings were originally scheduled complete at the same time; however, with the changes caused by 9/11, there was a four-month extension for the entire project.  In order to meet this schedule, Ludvik would have to manage larger crews than originally planned.      Because of the aggressive nature of the undertaking, Ludvik staffed the project with a project manager, a project coordinator, a clerical person, and a field engineer on-site full time.  Thanks to the management and supervision, along with the skilled electricians, Ludvik met all its schedules.          

            As NORAD proclaims the freedom we enjoy in North America today through its motto – “Deter, Detect and Defend”, Ludvik Electric Co., through its design-build capabilities, impeccable quality, ability to meet a difficult schedule and commitment to integrity, is honored to be a part of such a crucial mission.  THE FORCE IS WITH US!