Our Mission
The mission of the Division of Facilities Management and Construction (DFMC) is to ensure the efficient and effective stewardship of resources for planning and design, construction, renovation, operations, maintenance, improvements, and decommissioning of IA real property assets. DFMC implements sustainable practices in all aspects of facilities management and construction to provide for facilities that are safe, functional, energy-efficient and cost effective.
Contact: Michael Wischnewski, Acting Division Chief - (571) 560-2673 (Work) or (202) 281-6308 - michael.wischnewski@bia.gov
Contact: Eric Sutula, Deputy Division Chief - (703) 793-5120 (Work) or (505) 382-1331 (Cell) - eric.sutula@bia.gov
OFPSM is working on making our pages more user-friendly and service-oriented. During this time, there may be some discrepancies between the layouts of organizational and specific service pages as they enter the review and approval stages. We encourage you to contact the Division of Facilities Management and Construction below if you have any specific questions or concerns.
Who We Serve
DFMC serves the BIA, and BIE and federally recognized Tribes and Tribal organizations, by developing and overseeing policies and procedures; providing training and technical assistance, developing priorities for all construction projects, minor and major facilities improvements and repairs (FI&R) projects; planning and formulating annual program budgets, calculating program funding allocations for FI&R projects; allocating funding to programs to execute FI&R Major and Minor projects, and evaluating Bureau-owned or-operated buildings, utilities, and grounds, including employee housing. DFMC accomplishes this through the responsibilities of the following branches: the Branch of Asset Management, Branch of Planning and Design, Branch of Education Construction, Branch of Education Facilities Improvement and Repair, and the Branch of Public Safety and Justice Construction and Facilities Improvement and Repair.
DFMC Services and Functions
DFMC services and functions are spread across five branches within the division: the Branch of Asset Management, the Branch of Planning and Design, the Branch of Education Construction, the Branch of Education Facilities Improvement and Repair (FI&R), and the Branch of Public Safety and Justice Construction and Facilities Improvement and Repair.
Branch of Asset Management
The Branch of Asset Management is responsible for managing the nationwide Operations and Maintenance (O&M) program, housing program, authorizing allotment and obligation expenditures to operate, maintain, and repair IA-funded facilities, asset inventory, data management of IA-facilities, management of Indian Affairs – Facility Management System (IA-FMS) Maximo, facility condition assessments and analysis, Quarters management, and providing technical oversight and policy for Bureau-funded facilities. The Branch recommends and develops a strategic approach to facilities asset management and maintenance based on OFPSM priorities, short and long-term maintenance activities and costs, deferred maintenance and repair costs, lifecycle replacement costs, life safety code requirements, Facility Condition Assessments, and other relevant factors.
Contact: William (Bill) Kehoe, Branch Chief - (505) 563-5234 (Work) or (505) 785-2624 (Cell) - william.kehoe@bia.gov
Branch of Planning and Design
Planning begins after a project is approved and funded. The planning component includes developing and outlining design requirements, features, and specifications by licensed, qualified architects and engineers consistent with industry standards and applicable DFMC Handbooks; identifying applicable codes, standards, clearances and surveys; developing overall project management; and identifying stakeholders. Design includes design documents prepared by professional architects and engineers beginning with conceptual or schematic drawings through complete construction plans and specifications sufficient to support construction activities. Design must conform to appropriate design standards of care and the requirements of Indian Affairs Adopted Codes and Standards.
Contact: Brad Wildridge, Branch Chief - (505) 563-5150 (Work) or (505) 250-6896 (Cell) - brad.wildridge@bia.gov
Branch of Education New Construction
The Branch is responsible for all aspects of construction services for new education facilities, from inception through the warranty period and final asset capitalization at over approximately 180 sites with 1,800 structures and more than 19 million gross square feet across eight Regions IA-wide. The average cost of a project is at least $85M and can exceed $100M.
Education Construction begins after planning and design is complete, and either through design-build (preferred) or design-bid-build (as necessary) delivery methodologies. The Construction component includes all activities from obtaining building permits, project site preparation, and actual construction activity through final inspection and issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. Additionally, all IA funded construction projects must adhere to the Guiding Principles (GP) for Federal Leadership in High Performance and Sustainable Buildings, as required by Executive Order 13693 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and must be in accordance with the established must be in accordance with an established construction project priority list, the Education Site Assessment – Capital Investment (SA-CI) Program.
Contact: Andrew Robinson, Branch Chief - (505) 563-5179 (Work) or (505) 228-8305 (Cell) - andrew.robinson@bia.gov
Branch of Education Facilities Improvement and Repair (FI&R)
The Education FI&R program prioritizes projects to improve the conditions of facilities under the authority of IA at approximately 180 sites with 1,800 structures and more than 19 million gross square feet across eight Regions IA-wide, projects are at least $5M. Funds are used to correct priority deficiencies and support code compliance repairs that are necessary to provide safe, functional facilities and to minimize program personnel’s exposure to potential life, safety, and health hazards. Replacement construction or Major Facilities Improvement and Repair (FI&R) must be in accordance with an established construction project priority list.
Contact: Andrew Robinson, Acting Branch Chief - (505) 563-5179 (Work) or (505) 228-8305 (Cell) - andrew.robinson@bia.gov
Branch of Public Safety and Justice Construction and Facilities Improvement and Repair
PS&J facilities include detention centers, Tribal courts, and law enforcement facilities and quarters. There are over 2 million gross square feet of law enforcement and detention center facilities. Projects can range from $5M – to $ 45M. PS&J Construction begins after planning and design is complete, and either through design-build (preferred) or design-bid-build (as necessary) delivery methodologies. The Construction component includes all activities from obtaining building permits, project site preparation, and actual construction activity through final inspection and issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. The PS&J FI&R program prioritizes projects to improve the conditions of BIA facilities under the authority of IA. Funds are used to correct priority deficiencies and support code compliance repairs that are necessary to provide safe, functional facilities and to minimize program personnel’s exposure to potential life, safety, and health hazards. Replacement construction or Major Facilities Improvement and Repair (FI&R) must be in accordance with an established construction project priority list, the PS&J Site Assessment – Capital Investment (SA-CI) Program.
Contact: Brian Johns, Branch Chief - (505) 563-5199 (Work) or (505) 382-5803 (Cell) - brian.johns@bia.gov
About the Division of Facilities Management and Construction (DFMC)
Congress established the Facilities Management and Construction Center under mandate in 1977. At the time, the Center was placed under the Department’s Division of Construction Management (OCM) under the Department of the Interior. It was renamed the Office of Facilities Management and Construction (OFMC) in 1997. In 2012, OFMC transferred the Facilities Program’s operational and execution functions back to the BIA. As a result, the organization was renamed as the Division of Facilities Management and Construction (DFMC).
DFMC is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and its staff consists of engineers, architects, facility managers, and support personnel who provide expertise in all facets of the construction and facility fields. These facilities represent capital investments by the BIE in the health and safety of all students and staff. Properly maintained facilities are critical to the effective performance of IA’s missions and to the provision of government services to Indian tribes and individuals.
