CCM was selected to perform the cost estimating services for HDR Engineering for a design project named The Pentagon Outfall. Our job was to perform cost estimates for various options and alternatives as the design concept was developed.

The project required attendance of several onsite meetings with Pentagon Staff, including a Design Charrette and a Design Charrette Outbrief, both held onsite. The cost estimate was performed with MCACES MII Software, a software designed by the US Corps of Engineers (USACE) for exclusive use for Federal Government Department of Defense projects. The software is extremely complex and typically requires extensive training to learn to use. The software uses R.S. Means as a cost database and also includes additional cost data added by the Federal Government. Bluebeam software was used for quantity takeoffs.

The Pentagon Outfall project was to address issues regarding drainage improvements needed for the Pentagon chillers. Many large chillers are required for the pentagon air conditioning, and these chillers develop a lot of condensation. Drainage systems had become ineffective and outdated over the years.

Multiple alternatives were evaluated, including running large underground pipe to a nearby lake, tunneling underneath the nearby highway system, avoiding existing underground utilities and communications lines, and alternatively replacing existing equipment with newer, different equipment that would increase efficiency and reduce condensate drainage flow. Modifying existing systems vs. replacing systems with new were evaluated.