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Thursday, Jan. 08, 2009

Robins a step ahead of new Air Force standards

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE — New cost-cutting sanitation and landscaping standards implemented Air Force-wide will have little impact at Robins Air Force Base.

The new guidelines reduce the scope and frequency for housekeeping, trash pickup, grass cutting and planting of flowers and other ornamentals. But Paul Kelley, director of the 78th Civil Engineering Squadron at Robins, said the local installation incorporated most of the new requirements last year.

Kelley said Robins saved about $1 million in 2008 by changing the scope and frequencies spelled out in its single grounds maintenance contract and three custodial agreements. The base mows and maintains about 2,200 of its 8,400 acres. The custodial contracts cover some 500 buildings with more than 14 million square feet.

Under the altered guidelines, custodial services operate at two levels — prestige and basic.

Prestige service applies to command suites, clubs and recreational centers. Basic applies to all other areas, although child-care centers, medical facilities and fitness centers receive more frequent service.

Prestige areas call for daily cleaning of restrooms and twice-weekly vacuuming and trash pickup from a centralized location. Basic area bathrooms are cleaned every two days with weekly vacuuming and trash pickup.

The new grounds maintenance guidelines permit grass 2 to 4 inches around major buildings and common areas and up to 10 inches in more isolated locations. Grass 7 to 15 inches is acceptable around runways and taxiways.

Air Force-funded flower beds now are authorized only at main gates and headquarters buildings with weeding no more than twice a month. Leaves may be removed up to six times each year. Kelley said Robins does have some issues to resolve. “Currently, contractors pick up trash in each office, and that will change to a central pickup site for each building,” he said. “We’re still working out where that central location will be for each facility.” Another is the need for daily restroom cleanup in the base’s industrial areas.

“We have about 8,000 people working in those areas,” Kelley indicated, “and we want to ensure a healthful, clean environment. The two other logistics centers are in the same position, and we’re working with our headquarters to resolve it.”

To contact Gene Rector, call 923-3109, extension 239.