Enhanced Use Lease Project canceled at Saufley Field

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120912-18
9/12/2012

By Sue Brink, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast announced Sept. 11 the termination of the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and exclusive negotiations with the Saufley Group, LLC, for an Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) at Saufley Field.

Successful execution of the EUL was predicated on the relocation of various units from Saufley Field that occupy some of the facilities.

Due to ongoing delays and continued uncertainty surrounding relocation funding, the RFQ and exclusive negotiations with the Saufley Group were terminated.

"The unforeseen lack of renovation project funding has prevented relocation of the units and execution of a mutually beneficial business agreement and lease," said NAVFAC Southeast Real Estate Contracting Officer Robert McDowell, in a letter to the Saufley Group, LLC.

"Further, the projected legislative jurisdiction change for Saufley Field, which is considered necessary for a successful EUL, has not been accomplished. Consequently, cancellation of the project and termination of exclusive negotiations is considered in the best interests of the government," said McDowell.

Saufley Field is an active U.S. Navy facility located 10 miles north of Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola. The base opened in August 1940. During the height of the Vietnam War, Saufley Field was a full-fledged NAS. In 1976, Saufley's control tower was closed and its status as a NAS was changed to that of an Outlying Landing Field (OLF) supporting NAS Pensacola and NAS Whiting Field. Saufley Field was reactivated in 1979 when the Naval Education Training Program Development Center (NETPDC) moved there from Ellyson Field.

The installation currently includes two runways in support of Naval Aviator and Naval Flight Officer training by Training Air Wings FIVE and SIX using T-6A, T-34C and TH-57 aircraft. Saufley Field also has in excess of 34,425 square feet of hangar space that can support these aircraft. There are approximately 800 military and civilian personnel assigned to NETPDTC and other tenant commands. Also, a minimum security federal prison camp is operated by the Justice Department under a use agreement with the Navy.

EUL Authority under 10 USC 2667 provides for out-leasing federal property to non-federal entities with consideration equal to no less than the Fair Market Value (FMV) of the property. EUL allows installations to leverage the private sector's expertise and financial resources to build and/or redevelop existing, underutilized but non-excess land, buildings, and other real estate assets. The lease of the property must promote the national defense or be in the public interest. Although the operation of the assets is the responsibility of the lessee, the military retains a long-term interest in the assets, preserving the assets for later military re-use.