Axias is well known for our expertise in international construction costs. We have been supporting the US Army Corps of Engineers Huntsville District with development of the Worldwide Area Cost Factors for the past three years conducting market research into construction trends; collecting labor rates for eight different crafts and indexing costs for 18 commonly used construction materials. Our research also focuses on hourly rates for construction equipment, typical labor productivity on projects, labor availability and currency exchange rates. With this experience and market knowledge it is no wonder that Axias continues to lend its expertise to construction projects around the world.
In June, Axias was in the Philippines at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, supporting a planned project for the American Battle Monuments Commission. The AMBC is a US Government Agency that operates and maintains 26 American cemeteries and 30 memorials, monuments, and markers in 17 countries. The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is the largest administered by the AMBC in the number of graves and of those missing whose names are recorded on the Wall of Missing, an engraved tablet that honors 36,286 Missing in Action in WWII American operations in the Pacific. Axias is proud to be part of projects that will keep this site accessible to visitors and continue to honor those who sacrificed their lives in service to their country.
Our next stop takes the Axias team to an archipelago off the coast of West Africa where Axias just completed a value engineering and cost and schedule risk analysis workshop for a major government agency project. Unfortunately for us, this project did not include a site visit – we’re sure our team would have enjoyed the picturesque landscapes of these stunning islands.
We’re also active in Europe - our team has had several recent visits to Poland as we continue to support USACE Europe with the US Army Europe-Africa (USAREUR) European Deterrence Initiative (EDI) Area Develop Plan. Axias is developing programmatic cost estimates for the projects identified in planning workshops. Our services include attending multiple week-long site visits and participating in planning charrettes in several Polish towns and villages. Our cost estimating efforts contribute to the bi-lateral US and Polish developed real property master plan in Poland, including a phased execution plan and a capital investment strategy for the entire country supporting Command Operational Imperatives and a capacity plan to adapt to future missions that emerge or change. Axias has supported Long Range Development Planning and Area Development Plans in the country and elsewhere in Central and Eastern Europe since 2016.
A little closer to home, we have recently kicked off work on the New US Courthouse Annex in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico where Axias will provide our cost engineering expertise supporting GSA's Construction Management Advisor (CMa). Axias will provide cost estimating from the initial concept design through construction documents, including reconciliation with the CMC at each design phase. Axias will also facilitate value engineering workshops during design. The Courthouse Annex project at the Federal Campus in San Juan will add space for new courtrooms, judge's chambers, and ancillary areas for the Court's operations and the US Marshals Services. The new Courthouse Annex is part of a complex multi-phase construction program at the Federal Campus. Axias has been supporting projects in Puerto Rico for several years, beginning with extensive disaster recovery cost estimating following the damage caused by Hurricane Maria and continuing today with this major federal program.