Office of Governmentwide Strategic Policy Storage Needs of the Federal Government
Amor Patriae Ducit
Office of Real Property
July 1999
U.S. General Services Administration WORKING WITH THIS DOCUMENT
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Vegetation Control Storage, USDA SE Nut Research Facility, Byron, GA
Outside Equipment Storage, USDA/FS Chattahoochee NF, Gainesville, GA
Flexible Accessibility Loading Dock, Fort Benning, GA Strategic Storage Needs of the Federal Government
Office of Real Property Office of Governmentwide Policy U.S. General Services Administration
July 1999
i Strategic Storage Needs of the Federal Government
ii Foreword
he General Services project planning and execution of Administration’s (GSA’s) this collaborative initiative. Project TOffice of Governmentwide Team Leader Sheldon Greenberg, Policy (OGP) is pleased to issue the along with Hank Aldag, both of the Strategic Storage Needs of the Office of Real Property; Gary Federal Government Report. This Thompson of OGP’s Office of document is the result of research, Transportation and Personal fieldwork and interviews conducted Property; and Michael Wayne of on Federally owned and leased GSA’s Federal Supply Service warehouse space as well as that of conducted the study, evaluated the the private sector. findings, identified the best practices, and wrote this report. The goal of this project was to promote interagency communication I want to personally thank all the and the sharing of information dedicated personnel from the relating to best practices and the Federal agencies’ headquarters and latest technologies in the regional/local levels involved in our warehousing and storage field. The study for their cooperation and information provided in this assistance. I also want to thank document is based upon 54 on-site those private sector personnel who visits to Federal and private sector agreed to meet with the team to facilities in Florida, Georgia and share their experience and Tennessee. expertise. We believe that this collaborative Government and I want to recognize David L. Bibb, private sector approach to project whose Office of Real Property execution is the formula for success. initiated and developed this warehouse study. Under the We hope the information contained leadership of Stanley C. Langfeld, in this report serves its purpose as a Project Sponsor, the Real Property useful tool in the management and Policy Division led the Strategic operation of the Federal Warehousing Inventory Needs Government’s warehouse and Group (SWING) team through storage functions.
G. Martin Wagner Associate Administrator Office of Governmentwide Policy U.S. General Services Administration
iii Strategic Storage Needs of the Federal Government
Storage Bins Arranged As An American Flag Eglin Air Force Base, FL
iv Table of Contents
Executive Summary ...... 1 Purpose ...... 7 Study Methodology...... 9 Project Development...... 9 Kick-off Meeting ...... 9 Field-work Preparation ...... 10 On-site Visits ...... 11 Observations and Findings...... 13 Overview ...... 13 Warehouse Diversity ...... 13 Real Property Considerations in Warehouse Design ...... 13 Cubic Space...... 16 Facility and Site Planning ...... 19 Facility Access...... 21 Infrastructure Attributes ...... 22 Technology...... 28 Personal Property and Supply Management . 29 Distribution Management ...... 34 Safety and Hazardous Storage ...... 35 Integration of Storage Functions and Facility Capabilities...... 35 Grounds Maintenance...... 35 Facilities Operations ...... 36 Emerging Concepts and Practices in Warehousing ...... 36
v Table of Contents
Opportunities for Real Property Sharing ...... 39 Best Practices ...... 41 Recommendations ...... 43 Glossary ...... 47 Appendices ...... 53 I. Project Charter ...... 55 II. Kick-Off Meeting Letter of Invitation & List of Attendees ...... 57 III. Matrix of Locations and Storage Functions ...... 61 IV. Site Visit Summaries and Local Points of Contact ...... 65 V. Questionnaire Survey and Synopsis ...... 97 VI. Additional Sources of Information ...... 103 VII. Publication Survey ...... 105
vi Executive Summary
Purpose query for storage, warehouse and industrial inventory within the The Office of Governmentwide continental United States. The Policy’s (OGP) main objective, as database revealed that Federal stated in the Project Charter agencies located in the states of (Appendix I), was to work Florida, Georgia and Tennessee collaboratively with Federal offered the most potential for a agencies to review current real successful study. property warehouse, storage, and distribution functions and develop a A Strategic Warehousing Needs Governmentwide information Inventory Group (SWING) project sharing mechanism for the best kick-off meeting was held on May 7, practices and lessons learned from 1998. All Federal landholding the study. To confirm the validity of agencies identified within the the project, the team also visited geographic study area were invited, several private sector companies as well as other major landholding whose operations center on storage agencies, and member agencies of and distribution functions. Another the Federal Real Property Council goal of the study was to provide (Appendix II). Twenty-one Federal opportunities for agencies to share agencies were represented at the resources and identify potential meeting and invited to participate in opportunities for improving the the study. After presentation of the utilization of real property to meet project’s purpose and goals, a the Federal Government’s current question-and-answer session and future warehouse needs. enabled the Federal agency attendees to gain a better Three distinct functional areas of understanding of the project. expertise were represented on the General Services Administration’s On-site visits (Appendix III and IV), (GSA) project team — real property including project briefings and (OGP’s Office of Real Property), interviews were made to 16 Federal personal property (OGP’s Office of agencies in Florida, 25 in Georgia, Transportation and Personal and 13 in Tennessee. In addition, Property), and supply distribution real and personal property (GSA’s Federal Supply Service questionnaires were provided to the (FSS)). This teaming effort, local points of contact to provide the therefore, represented the major team with further information on functional components of the the sites (Appendix V). The facilities studied and is the first facilities visited ranged in size from Governmentwide study to combine 10,000 square feet (sq. ft.) to several these aspects of warehousing million sq. ft., and contained a total functions. of approximately 39.3 million sq. ft. of storage space. Private sector Study Methodology entities operating large warehouse and distribution facilities in Florida Based on data from the Federal and Georgia also participated in the Government’s Worldwide Inventory study. Database, participant Federal agencies were identified through a To supplement the team’s exposure
1 Executive Summary
to professionals in warehouse and includes office supplies, electrical storage functions, visits were also test equipment, telecommunications made to GSA’s FSS Southwest equipment, enriched uranium, Distribution Center in Fort Worth, nuclear and fossil fuel power plant Texas, where the major supply parts, hazardous materials, military function currently operates out of vehicles, wind tunnel parts, archived multiple buildings. A visit was also records, clothes, household goods, made to the Industrial Engineering medical supplies, and many others. Division at Wright-Patterson U.S. In warehouse operations, the Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio. This Government is moving more unit is responsible for providing towards the use of the International engineering and design services for Merchant Purchase Authorization all Air Force materials handling and Card (IMPAC) or Government warehouse functions worldwide. Purchase Card for small orders of Additional sources of information on office-related supplies. This warehouse and materials handling Government issued credit card functions are provided in Appendix enables the holder to buy directly VI. from vendors either by going to local Observations supply stores or ordering through and Findings the internet or telephone. The Government is also using “just-in- Examples of good concepts and time” and prime vendor contracting. practices were found through the These methods provide a less costly site visits and discussions with the and more efficient way for Federal agency and private sector agencies to buy goods and services representatives. In many instances directly from the vendor instead of these concepts have been developed processing requests through and are being used to successfully Government procurement offices. In address location-specific real and most instances, this has personal property issues. Simple significantly reduced the need for modifications, such as the addition warehouse space without a of natural lighting (skylights), corresponding reduction in space placement of large stand-alone fans occupied. It should be noted that as for air movement on the warehouse supply marketplace and ordering floor and use of higher racking patterns have changed in the recent systems provide for more efficient past, GSA’s FSS has been able to warehouse operations. Other, more reduce its occupied storage needs technical or structural changes, such and has gone from over 20 major as using moveable/accordion storage warehouse facilities to four large units, vacuum lift systems and warehouse operations and seven computerized high-density storage smaller warehouses. In the last two racking systems, have improved the years alone, FSS has reduced its operating efficiency of the facilities. warehouse space by approximately 1.5 million sq. ft. The Federal Government warehouses a variety of materials to Many of the locations visited were support its multi-faceted mission. A not fully utilizing warehouse cross section of items warehoused capacity. Several agencies had
2 Executive Summary
indicated that they were in the situations are representative process of leasing additional space, nationwide, the Federal when it appeared that better use of Government could save substantial the existing space would resolve the sums in reduced rents, utilities, space problem. Potential repairs, labor, transportation, and improvements to space utilization damage to merchandise. Further, include adding additional levels of the Government could generate storage racking, improving additional revenues through the inventory control of excess personal increased sales of both surplus real property, and better use of and personal property. technology in place of stockpiling Many civilian agency hard copy forms and publications. representatives indicated that The scope of this project did not working with GSA to process excess include cost estimates and cost- property seemed like a long and benefit analysis associated with complicated process. This can be better space utilization at the attributed to owner agency internal facilities visited. Due to the screening processes, as well as the enormous variety of mission needs, time needed to complete the various items stored, as well as operational GSA sales methods. However, equipment and systems in use others like the National Aeronautics within the many different storage and Space Administration (NASA) facilities, it is not feasible to and the Tennessee Valley Authority estimate specific savings to the (TVA) were pleased with the Federal Government. Facilities property program. visited during the execution of this It should be noted that currently, project included open-sided sheds, Federal agencies lack incentives to World War II brick and wooden dispose of personal property because buildings in need of repair, and new proceeds from these sales must be and highly mechanized distribution deposited in the miscellaneous centers. Without knowing the receipts of the U.S. Treasury. strategic plans and budgetary However, GSA is developing programs of the occupying agencies, proposed changes to the Federal it is also not feasible to develop Property and Administrative estimates of site-specific savings and Services Act (Property Act) of 1949, recommendations. Case-by-case as amended, to authorize Federal analysis would be required to agencies to retain proceeds from the determine potential savings for any sale of surplus personal property to actions taken. cover direct and indirect disposal The project covered 8.4% of the costs. Federal Government’s approximately 467 million sq. ft. of Best Practices warehouse space (448 million sq. ft. The team observed many state-of- owned and 19 million sq. ft. leased) the-art initiatives being within the 50 states. Based on this implemented by both the Federal sampling, the team strongly believes and private sectors. They are that if these same conditions and identified and discussed in the
3 Executive Summary
section of the report entitled “Best 3. NARA, Office of Regional Records Practices.” Services, Southeast Region, East Point, GA, and GSA/FSS Opportunities for Southeast Distribution Center, Real Property Sharing Palmetto, GA have entered into a shared space relationship. During the development of this NARA’s present facility is a World project it was hoped that, in War II vintage facility that is in addition to finding the best practices need of repair, and is too small to and lessons learned in Government facilitate NARA’s mission. warehousing programs, the team Simultaneously, GSA/FSS had would discover opportunities for the released and vacated sharing of Federal real property. approximately 465,000 sq. ft. of Three opportunities did come to space, which was suitable for light, and one (National Archives NARA’s use. NARA’s urgent need and Records Administration and the vacant facility appeared (NARA), East Point, GA) has the to be a good match. During the potential for realization. There were week of June 20, 1999, the other locations visited that had SWING team had been advised space available for sharing, but that NARA has agreed to occupy there were no other Federal the vacated GSA/FSS space. agencies within a reasonable NARA will use this space to distance with which to share the relocate a portion of the East space. While outleasing the Point archives, as well as available space to the private sector archives from other NARA was an option; security, access and facilities. As a result of this space remoteness of the locations severely sharing; NARA will realize a cost limited this option. saving of approximately $500,000 The three sharing opportunities annually in reduced rental found are: payments for that portion of the East Point facility that will be 1. Naval Air Station (NAS) moved. GSA will have a rental Pensacola and Eglin Air Force payment pass-through of Base, FL. However, after viewing approximately $1,400,000 per the space, personnel from Eglin year into the Federal Buildings indicated the Air Force required a Fund on the vacant space. larger, open floor area to accommodate their storage Other sharing opportunities that the requirements and the distance study found are the TVA Hartsville between locations made its use Investment Recovery Center, impractical. Hartsville, TN, and the Department of Energy (DOE), East Tennessee 2. Jacksonville Air National Guard Technology Park, Oak Ridge, TN. In and GSA vacant leased space in these cases, each agency is working Jacksonville, FL. However, when with the local community to form the Air National Guard contacted economic “Enterprise Zones.” the GSA regional office, they were Generally, this arrangement enables advised that the lease had Federal agencies to provide separate already been terminated.
4 Executive Summary
and secure access to unused • Maximize the full space of the warehouse space for outlease by a storage facility. local community at favorable rental Many of the facilities visited, rates and may require minor especially those of the civilian building repair. Due to the security Federal agencies, were not requirements found at some Federal maximizing their warehouse space. installations, these partnership Space was poorly allocated; racks agreements can be cumbersome to were not sized to storage load; coordinate. Additionally, direct facility heights were inefficiently outleasing by the owner agency may used; items were obviously in “long be another method to provide term” or “dead” storage modes; sharing opportunities that may and/or publications were being generate revenue to the owner stored which appeared to be out-of- agency. date. With the emerging trends of Recommendations “just-in-time” ordering, desk top delivery services, the widening use The following recommendations are of the Government Purchase Card the result of the team’s site visits, and desk top publishing, agencies discussions and observations. These are finding that their warehouses recommendations are being made in are no longer in the office supply order to improve the effectiveness business. In light of streamlining and efficiency of the Federal Federal budgets and reduction in Government’s real and personal staffing, Federal agencies can reduce property asset management. real and personal property outlays • Make the initial investment; it by more proactively planning and will save money in the long managing their existing facilities. run. Specifically, agencies should explore alternatives prior to requesting Many of the warehouse personnel additional storage space and look for indicated that many of the opportunities to reduce space. warehouse limitations and inefficiencies were the result of a • GSA should review the lack of investment in the warehouse Federal Property project planning process. Many of Management Regulations the flexibilities desired (i.e., (FPMR) and the Property Act additional height, power and to recommend changes that automated equipment, computer streamline and add value to technology, employee comfort, etc.) the personal property are more economical to include in disposal process. the planning process than to add as GSA is currently working a change order during construction, collaboratively with Federal and even more expensive as a agencies to rewrite the FPMRs renovation once the facility is in relating to personal property into operation. In addition, once plain language and to eliminate programmed into a facility, those regulations that do not add budgetary allowances must be value to the disposal process. In included for the maintenance of all addition, GSA has developed a facility systems.
5 Executive Summary
legislative proposal to change the Federal agencies should take a Property Act to provide Federal more proactive approach to agencies more flexibility in disposing inventory reviews and controls in of personal property. order to screen items that are candidates for excess. In Throughout the course of the study, addition, agencies can use the team saw Federal warehouses existing technologies (i.e., high- that are being used for dual speed printers, Internet purposes: (1) for receipt, storage, worldwide web sites, higher and issuance of newly procured capacity computer memory) to items; and (2) for turn-in and produce hard copy documentation storage of excess personal property. as needed, rather than The primary objective of most maintaining space and cost- warehouses is the care and custody consuming hard copy inventories. of newly procured items that meet the mission needs of the agency. GSA should continue to pursue Less care and concern are devoted to changes to the Property Act to the proper storage of excess personal enable Federal agencies to retain property. This approach to handling the proceeds from the sale of excess property indicates a lack of surplus personal property. This proper implementation of the would provide Federal agencies personal property disposal with an incentive to be more processes. This can be addressed proactive in their inventory through the following: review processes. Federal agencies should use • Federal agencies should first current regulations, especially consider GSA negotiated relating to abandonment or supply contracts before using destruction of personal property local vendor sources. (CFR 101-45, Sale, Abandonment GSA’s Federal Supply Service or Destruction of Personal provides Federal agencies worldwide Property), in an effort to process with everything from office supplies excess property in a timely to medical, safety, and fire fighting manner. equipment. Agencies are provided Federal agencies should use, to discount prices, and guaranteed the fullest extent practical, the desk top delivery in one to three Memorandum of Agreement days through the GSA Advantage Chairs Ready For The Personal between GSA and the Defense and Customer Service Center Property Disposal Process Logistics Agency (DLA), that programs. Since FSS is a self- allows them to turn-in excess funding organization, purchases personal property to the nearest made through this program ensure Defense Reutilization Marketing the continued availability of these Office (DRMO). discounts. Accordingly, Federal agencies should maximize their use of these GSA programs.
6 Purpose
he Office of Governmentwide Three distinct functional areas of Policy’s (OGP) main objective, expertise were represented on the T as stated in the Project General Services Administration’s Charter (Appendix I), was to (GSA) project team — real property collaboratively work with Federal (OGP’s Office of Real Property), agencies to review current real personal property (OGP’s Office of property warehouse, storage, and Transportation and Personal distribution functions and develop a Property), and supply distribution Governmentwide information (GSA’s Federal Supply Service sharing mechanism for the best (FSS)). This teaming effort, practices and lessons learned from therefore, represented the major the study. To confirm the validity of functional components of the the project, the team also visited facilities studied and is the first several private sector companies Governmentwide study to combine whose operations centered on these aspects of warehousing storage and distribution functions. functions. Another goal of the study was to This report represents the findings, provide opportunities for Federal insights, and collective thoughts of agencies to share resources to meet those individuals, as well as those the Federal Government’s storage Federal and private sector needs, and identify potential representatives participating in the opportunities for improving the project. Since the purpose of each utilization of real property required storage, warehouse, and to meet the Federal Government’s distribution operation is mission current and future warehouse space specific, certain best practice needs. concepts may be more applicable The completion of this project and than others. The use of any issuance of this report provides information from this report to Federal agencies with best practices enhance the efficiency and for their consideration, as well as effectiveness of the Federal points of contact to further the Government’s storage and information sharing process. warehouse programs validates the time and effort contributed by the study participants to produce this report.
7 Strategic Storage Needs of the Federal Government
Pallet Racking Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL
8 Study Methodology
Project Development While a four-state area was initially considered, it was During the development of this determined that a three-state area project, several criteria were was optimal for this project. The adopted to provide project three contiguous states selected for guidelines: the study had a large amount of 1. The team would work storage space occupied by many collaboratively and cooperatively different landholding agencies. with other Federal occupant These parameters satisfied the agencies in order to ensure the objectives for potential real property success of the project. sharing opportunities. 2. The study area would consist of Kick-off Meeting three to four states within a A Strategic Warehousing Inventory localized geographic area. Needs Group (SWING) project kick- 3. The team would base the study off meeting was held on May 7, on storage, warehouse and 1998. All Federal landholding industrial (distribution) facilities agencies identified within the of at least 50,000 square feet (sq. geographic study area were invited, ft.) based on the Worldwide as well as other major landholding Inventory Database for 1996 agencies and member agencies of (latest available information). the Federal Real Property Council (Appendix II). 4. Site visits would be made to all facilities. Twenty-one Federal agencies were represented at the meeting. After a 5. The team would require one presentation of the project purpose week to complete site visits in and goals, a question-and-answer each state. session was held to enable Federal 6. Active participation of Federal agency attendees to gain a better agencies was solicited and understanding of the project. At the welcomed for the facility visits. conclusion of the meeting, comments from the Federal agency In order to accomplish the intent representatives suggested that the and purpose of this project, OGP information resulting from this worked with the Federal project would be of value, and all Government’s Worldwide Inventory agreed to provide the team with Database (based on Federal agency local points of contact for the input using GSA Form 1166) to fieldwork. The team was cautioned, determine the Federal however, that based on the Government’s owned and leased geographic distances between warehouse, storage and industrial locations, the tentative schedule of inventory within the continental site visits and project completion United States. Based on the most timeframes would be insufficient. up-to-date information available, Relying on the information the states of Florida, Georgia and provided, the team modified the site Tennessee offered the most visits and project completion potential for a successful study. schedule.
9 Study Methodology
Field Work Preparation After completion of the Florida site visits, the team also realized that The states in which the study was the 50,000 sq. ft. facility threshold to be conducted were Florida, limited the sites mainly to those of Georgia, and Tennessee. Based on the military components of the the information contained in the Department of Defense. Most Worldwide Inventory Database, an civilian Federal agencies were itinerary of sites was established occupying warehouse space at a and appointments were made for lower square footage threshold. facility visits. At this stage it Accordingly, the team decided to became apparent that the time lower the threshold parameter to required for the site visits, 10,000 sq. ft. to increase the personnel briefings and interviews, diversity of Federal agencies and distances between facility sites participating. This also added to would not permit the team to the number of sites identified in the complete its fieldwork in each state two remaining states; Georgia and within a one-week timeframe as Tennessee. originally planned.
World Wide Database Excerpt
Instl# Installation Name Installation Address Zip Typ Ag Bu St Cty Cnty Rec Usage From To #Bldg Sq Ft
51600 VMAC Bay Pines FL 10000 Bay Pines Blvd 33504 G 36 09 12 0185 103 30 40 1932 1970 2 20624
07322 Subtropical Agricultural Res 2249 Chinsegut Hill Road 33512 G 12 05 12 0390 053 30 40 1932 1982 11 28829
24407 Cape Canaveral AFS Cape Canaveral AFS G 57 00 12 0455 009 30 40 1996 224 677796
16121 Cape Canaveral Air Station Cape Canaveral Air Station 32890 G 80 00 12 0455 009 30 40 1955 1986 23 109571
16121 Cape Canaveral Air Station Cape Canaveral Air Station 32890 G 80 00 12 0455 031 30 40 1955 1963 5 147351
60200 NAS Cecil Field FL Cecil Field Florida 3E+08 G 17 00 12 0485 031 30 40 1943 1989 18 206268
60200 Cecil Field FL NAS WPNSAX Cecil Field FL NAS WPNSAX G 17 00 12 0485 031 30 40 1959 1961 5 14215
24366 Eglin AFB Aglin AFB G 57 00 12 0935 091 30 40 1996 239 924034
FL264 Commerce Center FL2968ZZ 3560-A NW 53rd Street 33310 L 47 04 12 1050 011 30 40 1 11500
15602 Medical & Veterin Entomology 1700 SW 23rd Dr POB 4565 32608 G 12 05 12 1130 001 30 40 1972 1977 7 10579
37697 Gainesville JCC 5301 North Waldo Road 32609 G 16 16 12 1130 001 30 40 1980 1993 4 10140
24037 Homestead AFB Homestead AFB G 57 00 12 1441 025 30 40 1996 29 260292
67004 Jax FL Blount Island Jax FL Blount Island L 17 00 12 1510 031 30 40 3 261600
00207 NAS Jacksonville FL Jacksonville Florida 32212 G 17 00 12 1510 031 30 40 1940 1995 55 1411059
00207 NAS Jacksonville FL Jacksonville Florida 32212 G 17 00 12 1510 031 30 40 1940 1940 1 12257
68931 PWC Jacksonville FL Jacksonville Florida 3E+08 G 17 00 12 1510 031 30 40 6 17899
FL019 Central Park FL2048ZZ 3728 Phillips Highway 32202 L 47 04 12 1510 031 30 40 1 33888
14585 John F Kennedy Space Ctr John F Kennedy Space Ctr 3E+08 G 80 00 12 1567 009 30 50 1963 1993 74 889297
14585 John F Kennedy Space Ctr John F Kennedy Space Ctr 3E+08 G 80 00 12 1567 009 30 50 1977 1987 5 362554
00213 Key West FL NAS Truman An Key West FL NAS Truman An G 17 00 12 1580 087 30 40 1974 1974 4 35716
10 Study Methodology
The same process used in Florida, of copy of the team’s project charter, as establishing an itinerary and well as questionnaires related to setting up appointments, was both real and personal property repeated for the remainder of the issues particular to that facility project. (Appendix V). On-Site Visits At this meeting, the goals of the project were explained and Due to the magnitude of the project, questions of the host agency were it was necessary for the SWING answered. From here, a “walk and team to conduct seven separate talk” tour of the facility was trips for facility visits. Six trips conducted. During these tours, (two each to Florida, Georgia, and discussions with agency personnel Tennessee) were related directly to provided many interesting the geographic area of the project. perspectives of warehousing which One additional trip entailed a visit have been included in the to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Observations and Findings, and Base, located in Dayton, Ohio, to Best Practices sections of the report. meet with personnel of the Air Force Research and Development The amount of storage space toured Division. Air Force personnel varied from 10,000 sq. ft. to several interviewed during the project million sq. ft., and the time spent indicated that it would be with agency representatives varied informative and beneficial for the from approximately 90 minutes for team to meet with the Industrial the smaller facilities, to a full day at Engineers who are responsible for NASA, Kennedy Space Center, FL, the development and and DOE, Oak Ridge, TN. The implementation of all warehouse SWING team conducted on-site automation functions for the Air visits to 16 locations in Florida, 25 Force. Also on this trip, the team locations in Georgia, and 13 toured GSA’s Southwestern locations in Tennessee. Based on Distribution Center in Ft. Worth, the information in the Worldwide Texas. This tour gave the team a Inventory Database, the team perspective of a distribution toured facilities containing a total of operation that utilizes several approximately 39.3 million sq. ft. of buildings, rather than one storage space. consolidated location. The team also developed a listing of The on-site visits (Appendix III and organizations available to provide IV) commenced with a briefing and information on warehousing, interview with the facility manager, storage, supplies, materials base commander, or other personnel handling equipment, and responsible for the maintenance or information systems (Appendix VI). operation of the facility. Agency Contacting them or other private personnel were provided with sector organizations will provide the introductory information packages reader with additional information which included copies of agency and insight into warehouse and specific letters of invitation to the storage functions. May 7, 1998, kick-off meeting, a
11 Strategic Storage Needs of the Federal Government
Bulk Storage GSA/FSS, Southwest Regional Distribution Center, Fort Worth, TX
12 Observations and Findings
Overview course of this project and responses to questionnaires provided by the As discussed previously, the project local points of contact. In some focused on three distinct areas of cases the report identifies some of property expertise: real property, the locations where the attributes personal property and distribution. were found. The team found examples of good concepts and practices through site Warehouse Diversity visits and discussions with the Due to the varying Federal agency agency and private sector missions and functions, agencies representatives. In many instances, have special warehouse needs that these concepts have been developed are unique to their agency. This and used to successfully address uniqueness does not suggest a cure- location-specific real and personal all blueprint for warehouse space, property issues. In some cases, materials handling, equipment, or simple modifications, such as the warehousing methods. Rather, this addition of natural lighting diversity necessitates that each (skylights), placement of large warehouse facility determine its stand-alone fans for air movement own requirements for an effective on the warehouse floor, and using and efficient operation. This point higher racking systems, provide for is significant as reductions in more efficient warehouse Federal warehousing costs can help operations. Other, more technical offset corresponding FTE and or structural changes, such as using budget constraints by utilizing moveable/accordion storage units, or labor, warehouse space, and vacuum lift systems, have also warehouse equipment more shown improvement in the effectively. operational efficiency of the facility. The Federal Government Real Property warehouses a variety of materials to Considerations in support the multifaceted missions of Warehouse Design its agencies. A cross section of items warehoused includes office The physical space or real property supplies, electrical test equipment, is an integral part of the telecommunications equipment, warehousing function. This space enriched uranium, nuclear and can consist of anything from a fossil fuel power plant parts, wooden lean-to structure used for hazardous materials, military mechanical equipment or other vehicles, wind tunnel parts, outdoor supply storage (Southeast archived records, clothes, household Fruit Tree Research Lab, Byron, goods, medical supplies, and many GA; Jimmy Carter Plant Material others. Center, Americus, GA; Chattahoochie National Forest, The following paragraphs describe Clarkesville, GA; and Smoky many of the specific attributes of Mountain National Park, the Federal storage and warehouse Gatlinburg, TN), to a highly operations identified through the mechanized and efficiently utilized
13 Observations and Findings
distribution center like that of the handle both receiving and shipping. Army Air Force Exchange Service, However, there needs to be a clear Ft. Gillem, GA. distinction between when receiving and stock put-away occurs, and Warehouse design should when shipping occurs. For example, incorporate materials handling in some instances receiving can equipment and information systems occur during the morning and that specifically address handling shipping can occur during the requirements for the type of afternoon within the same spatial inventory/stock received, stored, area. selected, and shipped. For example, an operation that handles parts for Aisle width, column spacing, and nuclear reactors (DOE, Oak Ridge, storage area type are other TN) will have a different design, considerations that directly relate to materials handling equipment, and warehouse space requirements. data requirements than one that Space requirements are also handles office supplies or whose dependent upon the type of forklift function is a mass distribution to be used, including its mast operation (GSA/FSS Southeast height, and the density of a storage Distribution Center, Palmetto, GA). area. Another consideration is the Each individual situation is unique cubic space or full volume (see and must be designed with the Cubic Space below for more details) types of storage and handling of the of the stock to be handled. These specific class of products in mind. considerations must be weighed against the corresponding Adequate space for receiving, increase/decrease in staging, and shipping functions are construction/rental costs associated an important consideration when with each option. Storage area designing a new warehouse or needs involve decisions as to what evaluating the adequacy of an storage category (bulk floor storage, existing warehouse. The design of racking, gravity flow shelving, the receiving and shipping areas carousels, bin shelving, depends on the configuration of the replenishment, or other method) space and the amount of stock makes sense for the particular received and shipped. The design situation. should include space to stage receipts (for in-checking) and Storage flexibility should be shipments. The preferred location considered as much as possible for these activities is directly behind when designing a warehouse and the dock locations where the determining types of materials receipts/shipments are to be handling equipment and received/shipped. This physical information systems to be used. relationship reduces manpower Accessibility for people and requirements by reducing the shipping/receiving capabilities are number of times the stock is additional areas of consideration. handled and the amount of Attention should also be given to materials handling equipment present and future data and required. In some instances, the communication requirements. same space can be configured to Designing a warehouse with
14 Observations and Findings
flexibility will help reduce sprinklers to accommodate varying renovation costs and operational rack placement. disruption in the future. Some Clark Langston, Civil Engineer at examples of storage flexibilities Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL, observed include: feels that “everybody in the Ken Holliway, Civil Engineer, at warehouse needs to be cross-trained Fort Benning, GA, indicated that to do seven jobs at any given time.” the Army develops plans based on a For economy and reuse potential, 100-year use and builds for a 200- movable walls should be used for year building life. office construction within the Tom Channell, Industrial Engineer warehouse. However, as Bill at Fort Benning, GA, spoke about Libbey, Base Supply Officer at providing additional conduit and Tyndall Air Force Base, FL, warned, cabling capacity during warehouse be cautious of “office creep” where planning and construction. This too many offices are located in the foresight is considerably less costly warehouse and functionally limit than adding this capacity when the efficiency of warehouse warehouse operations are underway. operations. Any office space should be located away from the The SWING team was told about warehouse’s functional activities how the Army is incorporating “velocity management” in its Optimization of warehouse space, planning and facility design. This manpower, material, and equipment is the Army’s program to provide can reduce square footage logistic support to the soldiers as requirements, as well as reduce fast as possible, by finding and requirements for manpower, eliminating any source of logistic material and equipment. This “Office Creep” undependability or delay. Velocity effort may result in the release of a In A Warehouse Building management will revolutionize the Army’s approach to logistics impacting on the space requirements and methods used to manage material. As such, adding building flexibility with low attributable cost is prudent since facilities will likely incur mission/scope changes during their lifetimes. Ft. Benning has been able to accomplish this with central columns to accommodate potential future changes in rack size requirements, the ability to utilize administrative areas in a production capacity, service doors located throughout the facility to accommodate mass issue of material, and use of nonrestrictive
15 Observations and Findings
portion of the occupied space, within the building’s square foot provide for possible future template. This is known as “cubic expansion by the user agency, or footage” (see below). This increase provide space for shared use with in height provides for a higher another Federal agency, resulting in density use of the building site and reduced warehousing costs to the reduces overall project dollar cost Government. per cubic foot. In areas of high land values, higher ceilings can often Use of appropriate personnel (both reduce the acquisition cost of the internal and external) and/or building site, and/or allow for the organizations knowledgeable in the allocation of a greater portion of the field of warehouse layout and site to truck egress and ingress. materials handling equipment selection can also lead to improved Cubic Space efficiencies. This expertise is best utilized when warehouse design and For purposes of maintaining an equipment selection is done in accurate space inventory, leasing of consultation with those employees space, and describing construction involved in the day-to-day costs, “square feet” is the generic warehouse operations. This process term used to describe the floor provides the best source of location- template area. However, warehouse specific information on how the professionals use the term “cubic warehouse presently functions and feet” when referring to warehouse enhances chances for success by capacities. providing a “buy-in” approach from The concept of cubic feet focuses on an operational perspective. This the use of the floor plate area as collaborative effort produces a well as vertical space; in other warehouse design that meets the words, using as much of the height needs for the movement of of the warehouse as is safe. Many materials and supplies, and the of the older Federally owned storage needs of the organization. warehouses, including those built In our discussions with the back in the 1940’s (GSA and FEMA, Industrial Engineers at Wright- Thomasville, GA; and Holston Army Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ammunitions Plant, Kingsport, OH, this process was described as TN), were generally not built with the best operating procedure to height in mind. Heights to ceiling follow. When designing from an off- joists of 15-20 feet were common. site location, many site-specific After lighting fixtures were hung, situations are not accounted for. then later with the addition of In developing a warehouse water sprinklers, the vertical height specification, the question of height or “cube” space limited the becomes a central issue. As with versatility of the facility. Newer, any building project, the roof and more modern facilities (Mayport foundation are expensive Naval Station, Mayport, FL) are High Ceilings components. Adding height to the built with much higher ceiling/joist Maximizes Cubic Space walls is relatively inexpensive in heights and have light and NASA, Kennedy Space Center the planning stages. The higher the sprinkler systems incorporated into ceiling the greater the capacity the structural components of the
16 Observations and Findings
roof. This provides for much more team’s observations, the use of efficient utilization of cubic space. cubed storage space can usually be improved, which may result in cost Another benefit of having high savings to the Government. ceilings is that more items can be stored within a shorter travel Better use of empty space can be distance inside the warehouse. A achieved by providing additional shorter travel distance to retrieve or storage levels where cubic space is “pick” items saves time and allows not fully utilized. For instance, a items to be “picked” quicker, full pallet height rack storage thereby saving FTE hours. An location that is consistently stocked example of this is best illustrated by with half-pallet loads can be comparing two different warehouse converted into two half-pallet configurations. The first warehouse positions. This can be accomplished has a floor template of 315,000 sq. by adding another set of cross ft. with a 12-foot high ceiling. The beams in the empty space, thereby second warehouse is 94,500 sq. ft. doubling the number of half pallets with a 40-foot high ceiling. Both stored. Pallets can be stacked on warehouses have the same amount top of each other or mezzanines can of cubic feet. However, when an be built (MacDill Air Force Base, item is in the far corner of the first Tampa, FL). Shelving can also be Racking System building, warehouse personnel need adjusted as necessary between Over Loading Dock Doors to go almost half a mile (2,100 adjacent bays of storage racks linear feet), while in the second and/or bins. Examples of innovative Fort Gillem, GA warehouse, personnel travel only 95 linear feet. Thus, the second warehouse is much more efficient. The amount of Government warehouse capacity can be reduced with better utilization of warehouse cubic (height) space. Better use of cubic space will result in additional storage capacity with relatively low cost as compared to other alternatives. Storage aids are also available to facilitate the use of warehouse height. Local materials handling equipment suppliers and distributors are available for consultation in making decisions about what works best in a particular situation. This is also true for other materials handling equipment applications. Due to the age and construction height of some of the Federal Government’s storage facilities, the use of cubed space may be limited. However, from the
17 Observations and Findings
cube uses include racking systems utilities, according to Carol M. installed on wall space above an Bravo, Director of Finance and internal forklift and/or personnel Marketing, Phillips & Company, door, as well as above the loading Jacksonville, FL. dock doors. This estimate of potential savings Using all the available height can does not include the cost of the greatly increase storage capacity. required additional racking system; For example, adding one additional however, the one-time cost would storage level (six feet) of racking to easily be amortized with savings a 50,000 sq. ft. floor-plate realized in the long run. Also, the warehouse can yield an additional logistics are more efficient as only 300,000 cubic feet of storage space one warehouse is occupied versus (see below). The cost of leasing two. Nevertheless, a detailed cost- 300,000 cubic feet of warehouse benefit analysis should be made to space (10,000 sq. ft. floor plate with determine the cost effectiveness of 30 feet of useable ceiling height) implementing any potential labor or without a racking system is other cost saving initiatives. approximately $50,000 annually. Continuous review of the storage This cost is based on an average space allocated versus the actual rental rate of $5.00 per square foot space required should be an ongoing for warehouse space. This low-end process. In modern storage theory, estimate excludes the cost of available storage space should be used as required, even if it means storing an item in several locations. Computer based tracking systems Increasing Available Cubic Storage Space can readily identify the various locations. Instead of acquiring additional warehouse space, increase the height of the storage. Several of the private sector companies the team spoke to (PEP 50,000 sf building Boys, McDonough, GA; and Mid- 10,000 sf building Florida Freezer Warehouse, LTD, 6 ft Cape Canaveral, FL), as well as many of the newer Federally owned 30 ft facilities, utilized the more efficient higher ceiling warehouses. In some cases, Federal agencies occupying
100 ft 50 ft older, lower cubic space facilities recognized their limitations and are 500 ft 200 ft working within these limitations by 500 ft x 100ft = 50,000 sf 200 ft x 50 ft = 10,000 sf using available wall space or 50,000 sf x 6 ft = 300,000 cubic ft 10,000 sf x 30 ft = 300,000 cubic ft adjusting rack size to fit pallet needs. Also, the team found other In a 50,000 sf warehouse, just increase the height of the storage situations where Federal agencies space by one “rack,” or 6 feet, and that space is equal to an could be doing a better job utilizing additional 10,000 sf warehouse that has a 30 foot high ceiling. their facilities to full capacity. The incorporation of automation
18 Observations and Findings
also can enable more efficient use of analysis would be required to cubic feet in a warehouse. Two determine potential savings for any technological innovations used are actions taken. computer-controlled, high-density, The project covered 8.4% of the robotic storage shelving units Federal Government’s (Dobbins Air Reserve Base, approximately 467 million sq. ft. of Marietta, GA) and moveable track warehouse space (448 million sq. ft. shelves (Arnold Air Force Base, owned and 19 million sq. ft. leased) TN). The shelving units span from within the 50 states. Based on this the floor to the ceiling and have a sampling, the team strongly robotic tray/draw puller. Based on a believes that if these same pre-determined item code, the conditions and situations are system will pull the correct representative nationwide, the tray/draw, bring it to an area for the Federal Government could save operator to pull an item, then many millions of dollars in reduced return the tray to the proper rents, utilities, repairs, labor, location. The moveable track transportation, and damage to shelves save space as the area merchandise. Further, the allocated for items is adjusted to Government could generate current need. Using electronic additional revenues through the forklifts with a shelving system increased sales of both surplus real works well by enabling the storage and personal property. of items in the racking system at adjustable heights. Facility and The scope of this project did not Site Planning include cost estimates and cost- By their nature, warehouse benefit analysis associated with operations have significant amounts better space utilization at the of truck traffic, both in and out of facilities visited. Due to the the facility, as well as providing enormous variety of mission needs, short-term holding areas for truck items stored, as well as operational trailers. Accordingly, when equipment and systems in use developing a plan for a warehouse within the many different storage site, major consideration must be facilities, it is not feasible to given to its accessibility to estimate specific savings to the interstate roadways. In addition, Federal Government. Facilities due to the high volume of visited during the execution of this commerce, consideration must also project included open-sided sheds, be given to airport accessibility. World War II brick and wooden The availability of rail service is no buildings in need of repair, and new, longer a major concern to most and highly mechanized distribution warehouse operations. The only centers. Without knowing the exception that the team observed is strategic plans and budgetary the Ford Parts Distribution Plant in programs of the occupying agencies, McDonough, GA, where the facility it is not feasible to develop site- was built to include a rail spur specific savings and leading into the warehouse. This recommendations. Case-by-case was designed to permit rail cars to
19 Observations and Findings
handled by the warehouse. In developing a site plan, allowances must be provided for adequate turnaround and ramp space, as well as short-term parking space for truck traffic to access all loading dock areas. Parking lot construction should include consideration of truck wheel load. Due to increasing storage needs, an open storage area was required adjacent to a warehouse at the Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, FL. From a logistics point of view, the physical location of this storage facility could impact the accessibility of truck traffic. When the number of loading/unloading docks have been determined for the facility, it is counter-productive not to be able to utilize all of the doors at the same time. If the staging area is insufficient, use of loading docks will be limited, resulting in A Scaled Facility Model deliver car and truck parts directly manpower productivity losses and into the storage facility for the inability to utilize “flow Cape Canaveral AFS, FL unloading. through” operations. In several locations visited, this situation Rail service can sometimes be a less prevented the simultaneous loading expensive alternative to “over-the- and unloading of trucks and had an road” deliveries. Use of rail may be adverse impact on the efficiency of Efficient Facility and Loading a more practical means of shipping/receiving operations. Dock Accessibility transportation especially when shipping and receiving large parts In long-range planning for a Pensacola Naval Air Station, FL or machinery such as trucks, warehouse facility with more than military hardware, or large engines. one building, consideration should Rail service should be evaluated as be given to the physical location of to its feasibility versus other modes the multiple buildings. In several of transportation and the products locations agencies used the close
20 Observations and Findings
proximity of the buildings to enclose While warehousing operational and connect them. In one case, efficiencies center on internal ramps were leveled to form a working components, no warehouse connective bridge. could function without loading docks and doors. As Captain Agencies with landholding authority Patrick Wall of the U.S. Marines at should evaluate the economics of Blount Island, FL, stated, “The ownership versus leasing. better the flow of materials, the Ownership over the long run may greater the reduction of materials be more economical than leasing; being stored.” however, many factors such as land cost, utilities, and projected term of The initial point of entry, whether occupancy must be considered prior for personnel or receiving of to making a final decision. Due to merchandise, is at the door. The the long lead-time of the Federal number and location of these doors budgetary process and annual are critical for the efficient workflow budgetary constraints, leasing has of the facility. In order to minimize become a viable option for most construction/rental costs, the Federal agencies. Often an agency number of doors in a warehouse will lease a turnkey warehouse should reflect the present and facility and have the lessor provide anticipated workflow processes. the warehouse building and • Loading Dock Doors - Usually associated infrastructure, including the doors are located overhead all the necessary business fixtures. (similar to a garage door). The The agency merely pays rent. placement of the loading dock Facility Access doors can enable multiple operations to be executed There are certain infrastructure simultaneously. One of the best concepts in the design of a examples of this is at the U.S. warehouse that are key components Army Base in Fort Benning, GA. to a successful operation. From One of the warehouse buildings discussions and observations during has overhead doors on each of its the project it became obvious as to four sides. According to Thomas the importance of proper planning Channell, Industrial Engineer at for these factors, especially in Fort Benning, GA, this placement relation to the integration of human permits rapid emplacement and resources, automated equipment, displacement of supplies and and operational requirements. materials by allowing flow Some of the real property best through and straight through (in practices observed were one door and out another) conceptually innovative and warehousing deployment. assisted in providing better • Dent resistant overhead warehouse operations. Also, real doors - These doors are made of estate design characteristics helped high impact plastic that is facilitate the best practices in flexible, but do not dent or break. warehousing. Often, best practices The door consists of plastic resulted from just planning ahead. panels and includes insulation to
21 Observations and Findings
conserve on utility (HVAC) smaller sized levelers do present Dent Proof Overhead Door, expenses. These overhead doors problems with some of the newer, With Dock Leveler, Shelter also have a flexible track that wider forklifts. and Trailer Latch will allow a truck or other object • Loading dock seal/loading to knock the overhead door off US Marine Corps Distribution dock shelter - This form of the track without damaging the Depot, Albany, GA shelter/enclosure has several door or the track that holds the practical benefits: protecting the door in place. overhead door and building from • Door height - Ensure that the inclement weather; providing height of the overhead loading warehouse security by sealing dock door is high enough to the opening of the loading dock accommodate a loaded forklift. and truck trailer; and also acting Generally, loading dock overhead as an energy conservation tool for doors should be at least nine feet the warehouse. high to prevent forklift and • Trailer latches – To prevent the loading problems. possible movement of trailers • Electric overhead doors - The while they are docked for loading use of infrared automatic and unloading, trailer latches features are both labor and time should be used. The two types of saving devices on doors used trailer latches seen were a infrequently. This equipment spring-activated latch and an allows one person to open and electrically operated latch. Both close a loading dock door without are effective safety features that getting off a forklift or out of a were recommended for use in any truck. This type of door also loading dock operation. conserves energy and provides an • Trailer maneuverability – additional level of warehouse Sufficient ramp and driveway security. space leading to the loading dock • Dock levelers – Loading docks area is essential for trailers to and their ramps are built to operate. In addition, adequate various specifications. Trucks parking space for “over-the-road” are also built to various loading trailers is also critical for trucks specifications. Dock levelers are that will not be used immediately the medium by which they or for overnight stays. function. These devices enable a smooth transition from the Infrastructure warehouse to the truck bed. Attributes Dock levelers come in different The overall facility operation, types and sizes. Most of the including materials handling warehouses the team visited used equipment requirements, should be seven foot wide dock levelers, integrated with the proper building although others were four to five features. The interface between feet wide. However, from these two areas is critical to ensure conversations with warehouse a fully functional warehouse. Areas and operation personnel, the where special attention needs to be team was advised that these focused include:
22 Observations and Findings
Ceiling Joist Size the team visited, it was quite evident how poor lighting affected The ceiling joists hold up the roof of worker productivity. Research has the structure, as well as provide proven that low lighting levels support to some of the operational increase the stress level of equipment. These joists need to be employees. Several of the designed to ensure support for the warehouses painted the walls and building structure and any ceiling- ceiling with white paint (Naval Air hung equipment such as conveyor Station, Pensacola, FL; and Patrick systems. Air Force Base, FL). The white Electrical Service surface helped spread the existing light throughout the warehouse. Sufficient power must be available Several warehouses used on-off to provide for building systems, motion detector switches for the materials handling equipment, lighting system (National Archives office functions, and lighting. The and Records Administration, Office amount of electric power required to of Regional Records Services, operate a warehouse can be Southeast Region, East Point, GA) deceptive. Good lighting, HVAC (as as an energy conservation appropriate), forklift battery method. charging areas, computer systems, phone systems, conveyor systems, Other Light vacuum assisted lifting devices Enhancing Methods (U.S. Marine Base, Blount Island, • Gas Lights - Energy efficient Jacksonville, FL), electric tools and gas (e.g., halogen and sodium doors, etc., are all examples of items vapor) fixtures (Naval Support that use large amounts of electricity. Activity, Mid-South, Millington, As much as 1,400 amps could be TN) are also available and used required to run a conveyor system to provide a productive work alone. At several military supply environment. Fluorescent lights locations, humidity control was are commonly being used in older required to protect the sensitive warehouses. However, Don electronic equipment (U.S. Marine Perry, Head of Storage and Base, Albany, GA; and Eglin Air Maintenance Branch, Fleet Force Base, FL). Built-in flexibility Support Division, USMC, Albany, will enable changing mission needs GA, noted that the U.S. to be met with minimal difficulty. Environmental Protection Agency For example, the addition of a recently determined that, transformer will enhance the depending upon the flexibility of the facility (TVA’s manufacturer, and date of Hartsville Investment Recovery production, the standard fluores- Center, TN). cent light tube and ballast may Lighting have to be handled as hazardous materials. Ballasts produced Illumination in a warehouse makes prior to 1978, of which there are a tremendous difference in the still many in use, contain PCB’s performance of the employees. In and disposal of 20 or more at one almost all of the warehouses that time requires special handling.
23 Observations and Findings
While some fluorescent light Floor Load tubes do not contain Mercury, those fluorescent light tubes that Sufficient floor load capacity is do contain Mercury must be required to handle the combined handled as a hazardous material weight of stored inventory, any when disposing of more than one stacking/racking equipment, and tube at a time. materials handling equipment. Insufficient floor load design will The above information regarding result in buckling, cracking and/or fluorescent light tubes and crumbling of the concrete floor. ballasts has been verified by Dead or non-moving storage exerts GSA’s National Capital Region in a tremendous amount of pressure Washington, DC. on the ground it sits on. For • Skylights - Skylights received a example, two stacked pallets with a mixed review. Some warehouse total of eight 55-gallon drums of oil personnel thought that the require a floor load of at least 250 skylights were a best practice pounds per square foot, whereas a while others thought they were standard office space floor load is detrimental. In hot sticky built to 50 pounds per square foot. climates, such as South Florida, The warehouses visited were built the skylights added to the with floor loads varying from 250 amount of heat in the warehouse, pounds per square foot (Health and provided a breach in security, and Human Services/Centers for sometimes leaked. However, in Disease Control, Atlanta, GA; other climatic conditions, Department of Veterans Affairs, skylights save on utility costs Johnson City, TN and Atlanta, GA) and provide the convenience of to almost 3,000 pounds per square additional light. Captain Fred foot (Air National Guard, McGhee, Culveyhouse, Kings Bay Naval TN). To enhance the weight Submarine Base, GA, thought bearing capabilities of these the use of skylights saved energy concrete floors, their construction and helped employee morale and may include structural I-beams, productivity. steel re-bars, and/or a deck cabling
Skylights Combined With Floor Load Notice Energy Efficient Light Fixtures Posted In Warehouse Mayport Naval Station, U.S. Marine Corps, Mayport, FL Albany, GA
24 Observations and Findings
system in the cement. The much of a strain on their operating Conveyor Belt System warehouse managers interviewed budgets. Still others told the team Fort Gillem, GA were very knowledgeable regarding that the warehouse operation had these factors. changed since its original design, Aisle Spacing and the towveyor could not be reconfigured or adapted to the new Adequate aisle space is needed for requirements. Finally, some the materials handling equipment warehouses have stopped using the to be employed at the facility. towveyor because other types of Towveyor System automation recently introduced in warehousing are being used. This automated cart towing system Conveyor Belt System is usually designed as a loop operation and is installed at the The decision to include a conveyor time of construction (GSA/FSS system can be costly in terms of Southeast Distribution Center, installation and operation. Palmetto, GA). Its inception was Sufficient electrical supply is only thought to be a resource saver as one major consideration. If the the materials were automatically system is to be an overhead (ceiling moved around the warehouse. supported) system, the initial However, many of the warehouses design of the ceiling joists should visited were not using the existing include steel bracing (or material of towveyor system because it was too similar strength) to be able to slow (sometimes taking 90 minutes accommodate the extra weight. to complete one full loop). Other Due to budgetary constraints and representatives told the team that the rapid changes in technology, the need for extensive and Federal agencies may want to expensive maintenance was too include the requirements for any
25 Observations and Findings
major conveyor system installation and humidity could impact within the design requirements of employee productivity, as well as the facility, and amortize those costs the materials stored. during the term of the projected • Insulation – Wall and ceiling leasehold occupancy. This way, the insulation provides a degree of leasehold occupant may not be comfort as it limits penetration of responsible for the removal of the outside elements. An insulated system and/or restoration of the warehouse also protects the premises. materials stored. Insulation Internal Height lowers utility expenses, and when combined with an HVAC Adequate internal height must system, enables more efficient allow for building systems and temperature control. materials handling equipment, such as a ceiling hung conveyor, mobile • Sprinklers – Sprinklers are materials handling equipment, and necessary for the safety of racking/storage systems. In areas warehouse operations. with weather extremes, locating Sometimes they seem to be in the building heating, ventilation and air way and limit the amount of conditioning (HVAC) units inside cubic space available for may add to the height requirement. warehousing operations. On the Additionally, proper clearance must other hand, they are necessary to be provided for personnel and safety ensure the preservation of the devices on and around conveyors structure. A sprinkler system and conveyor support structures, can save millions of dollars of such as catwalks. Allowance for materials and structure in the sprinkler fire protection systems event of a fire. The sprinkler must also be incorporated in any system should be engineered so facility plan. that it is as close to the ceiling as Roof possible. The fire code requirements for sprinkler The design and construction of the systems vary, and local codes for warehouse roof and ceiling area sprinklers sometimes differ from have an important role in clear location to location. These codes stacking height limitations and heat dictate whether sprinkler heads load disbursement inside the are to spray from a proximal or warehouse. Roof construction can distal placed sprinkler head and be flat or slanted; the roof structure the height of the pipe off the can be made of wood, concrete or ceiling or the top of the storage steel, and covered with asphalt or racks. An incorrect placement of rubber membrane. Several other a sprinkler system can have a items related to the roof include: detrimental impact in the event of a fire. Breaking off a poorly • Ceiling vents - Ceiling/roof placed sprinkler head or vents and ceiling fans are one of forgetting to include needed the best ways to reduce heat sprinkler heads in the build-up within the warehouse. calculations for racks and This is critical in geographic conveyors can be very expensive areas where high temperatures 26 Observations and Findings
to remedy. One best practice will also have problems that need to observed in several locations was be dealt with using various heating sprinklers piped through the and humidifying methods. centerline of back-to-back racks. Related Office Functions This was done to prevent the possibility of pallets hitting a Adequate space for office functions sprinkler head. should be provided within the warehouse, as some office-related • Drains - Coordinate the location operations are necessary in of inside roof drain pipes with conjunction with warehousing the materials handling functions. However, where a contractor(s). warehouse supports another Fire Rated Walls function, such as a medical center or a large distribution operation, it Concrete, cinderblock, or other fire is important to avoid “office creep” retardant walls must be used in the where office personnel start to move construction of any storage or into the warehouse. This reduces warehouse facility. Due to fire efficiency in the operation of the codes, these walls must have at warehouse by reducing the space least a two-hour fire rating. This is available for the actual generally considered sufficient to warehousing function. protect materials located in adjacent bay areas in the event of a fire or other emergency situation that could compromise the integrity, safety, or security of the premises. Ventilation The comfort of employees plays a key role in their productivity. As most warehouse operations are performed in large open bay areas, special consideration is required in providing for the movement of air at the floor or work area level. In areas with high temperature and humidity levels, such as in the three states covered by this project, the team saw several methods used to mitigate these problems. These methods include: air conditioning of the floor area, evaporator fans to remove humidity, “port-a-cool” fans to cool and move air, large standing fans to move air, and air conditioned break rooms. Geographic areas with low Typical Warehouse temperatures and humidity levels “Port A Cool” Fan
27 Observations and Findings
Technology significant impact on the equipment bought and the total expense Automation can enhance the incurred. productivity of a facility. However, automation itself can restrict Eglin Air Force Base, FL, has workflow and flexibility, and is successfully incorporated robotic expensive. Therefore, the use of carts using fiber optic and wire automation must be proven as a guided operating systems in their necessary expense before main supply warehouse. The implementation. Not only should Supply Asset Tracking System is the purchase cost of materials able to more effectively operate and handling systems be considered, but manage the supply function within also the operating and maintenance the warehouse and has saved the costs over their life cycles. Life Air Force FTE and materials cycle costs must be included in the movement time. However, warns investment analysis decision Joe Reed, Deputy Chief of Supply process since they can have a for the 96th Air Base Wing, on-site maintenance is a must to maintain the system’s efficiency and prevent mechanical breakdowns. Robotic Carts Bar coding is a technological Eglin Air Force Base, FL innovation used in warehousing for cost reduction. Bar coding technology allows for greater employee productivity, accurate “real time” inventory accounting, and location identification. This limits the need for physical inventories due to an increase in order selection accuracy. The use of “real time” inventory accounting also provides an accurate information link between inventory management and operational personnel. This direct computer “real time” interface leads to quicker handling of “emergency” orders; more accurate stock and order status; and “real time” manifesting, packing list generation, and reports. Several of these functions no longer require human intervention. As Mark DeMary, Information Systems Manager of Mid-Florida Freezer Warehouse (MFFW), Cape Canaveral, FL, pointed out, it is more efficient to have the computer do it.
28 Observations and Findings
With recent advances in Internet shipment of materials, while capabilities, the international flow disposal deals with the disposition of information is now easier to of unneeded property. accomplish than ever before. The scope of this project relates to MFFW frequently attaches the utilization and disposal of the Electronic Data Interchange personal property associated with information to e-mail messages the Federal warehouses in the regarding the processing of study area. The scope of the project shipments and orders. did not address the potential sales Furthermore, customers can send dollar value associated with a more information to MFFW using the efficient disposal process. same method. The Federal utilization and disposal Computers and their increasing program, one of the largest property storage capacity, as well as Internet management programs in the technology can be used to reduce Federal Government, encompasses the amount of storage required for redistribution, utilization, donation, agencies responsible for sale, and abandonment or publications. Instead of having destruction of Federal Government thousands of copies of handbooks, owned personal property. newsletters, forms, or other Considering that the Federal pamphlets in storage for months or Government purchases more even years, today’s in-house supplies and materials than any printing technology enables the other entity in the world, it is only printing of documents on demand. logical that it also disposes of more Alternatively, documents can be personal property than any other uploaded onto an agency’s entity as well. In this regard, the worldwide web site for “real time” Government is continually accessibility. This would reduce challenged by the enormous warehouse costs and the storing of problem of effectively and efficiently out-of-date documents. using and disposing of huge Personal Property and quantities of property that are Supply Management purged on an ongoing basis from every Federal activity and storage The management of personal facility. property is a major function of The Federal utilization and disposal Federal agencies, and it is only part program is mandated by the of the supply management function. Federal Property and Supply management consists of the Administrative Services Act of 1949, full life cycle of an item from as amended, and the related requirement determination, Federal Property Management acquisition, and accountability, to Regulations (FPMR), Subchapter H disposal. Acquisition initiates (41 CFR 101-42 through 49, except responsibilities for inventory for 47 (real property)). The FPMR management, including guides Federal agencies by maintenance of stock and financial prescribing policies, procedures and records. Accountability focuses on delegations of authority on the the receipt, inspection, storage, and
29 Observations and Findings
management of personal property. • Use. Each item in the Government’s active inventory For a variety of reasons, including will eventually become FTE limitations and the existing unserviceable or uneconomical to cumbersome disposal process, maintain. agencies appear to minimize the importance of property utilization • Termination or change in and disposal, and place greater program. The changing mission emphasis on the procurement of of the Federal Government’s new items. Personal property programs result in property that management is just as much a duty no longer meets mission and responsibility as procurement requirements. and the delivery of and • Modification of existing accountability for supplies and equipment. The Government materials. The Government’s continually makes improvements investment in personal property to its operational supplies and amounts to billions of dollars equipment, resulting in the annually; and property initially generation of a wide variety of purchased for a single purpose or items, parts, supplies, and agency, that is in good condition, materials that become excess in has great potential for reuse by the system. other agencies when no longer needed. Property and items are • FTE limitations. Past and often not reused because of the poor current personnel reduction and inefficient manner in which efforts have resulted in the they are received, recorded, or generation of large amounts of described in property inventory excess and surplus property. records. The concurrent buying and • Obsolescence. Technological selling of personal property, as the developments and advancements result of an agency being unaware make certain items or entire of what is available at other systems obsolete. This was agencies or within its own agency, evident at almost every location has led to poor use of new visited and especially true of procurement dollars. In the end, computer and related equipment. valuable dollars and property are lost because of inadequate • Cost reduction programs. knowledge and/or training in the Military base closures, current personal property policy consolidations, and a variety of and procedures. other budget reduction efforts Excess Property impact the utilization and disposal process. Based on the team’s visits and Property Disposal discussions with personal property managers, the team found that The Federal Government has while there is no single cause for several means of accommodating the generation of large amounts of disposal of excess and surplus excess and surplus property, the property: exchange/sale, reuse, following are the primary reasons: transfer, donation, sale, and
30 Observations and Findings
abandonment or destruction. Most agencies are familiar with the Federal disposal program and the authorities used to dispose of personal property. However, many civilian agency representatives indicated to the team that working with GSA to excess the property seemed like a long and complicated process. This can be attributed to owner-agency internal screening processes, as well as the time to complete the various GSA sales methods. Others, like NASA and TVA, were pleased with the results of the property sales program. It should be noted that Federal agencies lack incentives to dispose of personal property because the proceeds from these sales must be deposited in the miscellaneous receipts of the U.S. Treasury. However, GSA is in the process of developing proposed changes to the which usually remains in the Surplus Personal Property Act to authorize Federal Federal community. In almost Property Auction agencies to retain proceeds from the every warehouse visited, the team sale of surplus personal property to NASA, Kennedy Space Center, FL observed many computers that cover direct and indirect disposal could not be given away because costs. they were not Pentium-class In addition to the FPMRs, many of computers. the civilian agencies have cited The observations below were Executive Order 12999, common within civilian agencies. It “Educational Technology: Ensuring is apparent that an increased Opportunity for All Children in the awareness of the value of the Next Century,” as a method to disposal program, through its donate computers to schools. This potential cost savings, must be is being accomplished either conveyed to top management to through direct donation to provide the necessary resources to individual schools or through the support the disposal program. Computers for Learning worldwide web site. However, just as the • Agencies tend to carry an changing technology impacts the inventory of non-mission- amount of excess personal property essential items. Many of these generated by the Federal items have not been issued or Government, this also impacts the used for a long period of time and donation process as schools are have been dubbed as “slow looking for the latest technology, moving” or “dead stock.” Federal
31 Observations and Findings
Property managers and warehouse custodians should understand that the supply management function is not completed until the final disposition of the property is accomplished either through reuse, transfer, donation, sale, abandonment, or destruction. • The internal procedure for screening property during the reuse cycle is long and tedious. This procedure is performed using item lists passed to each bureau within a Department or agency. The process can take up to 180 days before the property is reported to GSA as “excess.” Currently, GSA maintains the Governmentwide database for all excess and surplus property. For efficiency, Federal agencies should consider methods of automating their internal Computers Available for agencies must be encouraged to screening process to reduce the Donation or Sale manage their inventories more number of days property remains efficiently through proper HHS/CDC, Atlanta, GA on their records. The GSA monitoring within their own Federal Disposal System (FEDS) internal reviews. If there is no could be a viable system to assist recurring need, items should be the agency internal screening declared excess and disposed of process through worldwide web through the proper disposal site enabled technology, which program, thus freeing up would make the disposal additional warehouse space. reporting process seamless. • Excess personal property storage The Navy personnel at Kings does not undergo the same Bay, GA, told the SWING team stringent controls as does new that they use a computer procurement and inventoried program to screen the supply stock. There is a lack of items on a quarterly basis in attentiveness in housekeeping order to determine which items excess stock, and there is no are “hot” and which may be consistency in storage practices potential excess. (i.e., items are not stored by commodity type). Once property • To the extent practical, Federal is declared excess, it loses its agencies should use the mission essentiality, and the care Memorandum of Understanding and handling becomes secondary. between GSA and the Defense
32 Observations and Findings
Logistics Agency’s Defense display pictures of excess depot Reutilization Marketing Office stock items available for disposal. (DRMO) in their local area to This innovative approach will turn in excess property. The permit an interested party to DRMO provides disposal support actually see the item of interest to GSA for the disposition of without having to travel to the Federal excess property. storage location and will limit the Recently, GSA has considered the need to have excess property re-establishment of Personal moved to a central disposal Property Centers, but determined location. that the costs are too prohibitive The DOE at Oak Ridge, TN, has at this time. Accordingly, Federal had success in its disposal agencies should weigh potential program by unit pricing items in costs of performing the disposal cases where bulk pricing may not activity on their own versus the be feasible. cost charged by the DRMO to accept the property. When • Agencies store unusable property consideration is given to storage, since they are reluctant to use care and handling costs, as well the abandonment or destruction as rent, salary, electricity, etc., it phase of the disposal cycle. They is conceivable that turning the feel the public may perceive this property over to the DRMO is to be “waste Defense Logistic Agency’s more economical than retention Reutilization Storage Area by the owner agency. Warner Robbins The Defense Reutilization Air Force Base, GA and Marketing Service (DRMS) is developing an Internet based system to
33 Observations and Findings
and abuse” of Government-owned provide labor and space utilization property. Under certain efficiency. conditions, Executive agencies Generally, all items of the same are authorized to abandon and classification (speed of movement destroy property, especially when and size volume) should be stored it is determined that the property and picked for distribution in the has no commercial value and the same area. When determining if cost of continued handling and materials handling equipment is care would exceed the estimated necessary, consideration must be proceeds from its sale. This is a given to the type of materials, the practicable disposal process and demand (fast mover to slow mover) should be used to remove “junk” and the volume/size. Each class of (items that no one wants either materials handling equipment is through utilization, donation or designed to handle material for a sale processes) from the system. specific purpose. Again, the Many examples of this “junk” materials handling equipment were found during the site visits experts will be able to help sort conducted for this project. through the various types of Appropriate agency disposal of equipment and determine what is office and warehouse items that no appropriate for a particular longer serve a useful purpose can situation. Inventory should be create additional storage capacity stored and selected utilizing the within existing facilities and could proper materials handling therefore provide an opportunity for equipment. Otherwise, the cost savings. While most agencies investment in equipment and labor indicated that they periodically will not be effective. purge inventory of “dead” or non- A “golden zone” approach is an moving items, the team found many excellent method to improve instances where agencies needed to productivity in the storage and more actively review their selection functions. The highest inventories. In a couple of demand stock should be stored and instances, the agency indicated that selected from locations that are the it was in the process of acquiring most easily accessible, thereby additional space due solely to the reducing storage and selection time. apparent lack of an adequate Storage and selection of fast moving internal inventory review and bin type items is best accomplished disposal process. by selecting the item in chest-high Distribution or waist-high storage units. Fast Management moving bulk inventory should be stored and selected close to entry Distribution management and exit points unless a conveyor is operations must ensure that the readily accessible. These methods areas allocated for feeding/ follow the basic theory of replenishment of material are sized ergonomics and provide effective to allow for adequate flow of use of manpower and materials materials through the automated handling equipment. and/or mechanized equipment to
34 Observations and Findings
Safety and Hazardous Integration of Storage Materials Storage Functions and Facility The storage and handling of Capabilities hazardous materials are two serious There is a direct relationship areas of consideration. All between decisions regarding organizations, whether Federal operations, information, building agencies or private sector parameters, and materials handling companies, must ensure that all equipment. All management OSHA, EPA, and applicable local decisions will have an effect on guidelines are followed. The Air other facility and warehousing Force relies on the Storage and operations. For instance, the Handling of Hazardous Materials decision to have stationary rack (AFJMAN 23-209) which is a joint storage for a specific stock number Services/DLA publication. Also Air will limit the labor, space, inventory, Force Instruction (AFI) 32-7086, and materials handling equipment Hazardous Materials Management, that can handle that stock number. dated August 1, 1997, is a useful reference tool in the storage of Grounds Maintenance hazardous materials While the efficient operation of the Safety of the employees, visitors, warehousing function is the prime and property are major consideration in establishing a considerations that have a direct facility, grounds maintenance of the impact on the effectiveness of the facility also must be considered. Area Identified For organization. Depending upon the There were several methods used in Hazardous Material Storage type of materials being handled the locations visited. As a result of (i.e., chemical, explosives, gases, past A-76 reviews, several TVA, Chattanooga, TN etc.), there are safety requirements for product spill containment, fire rated walls and cabinets, airflow, emergency procedures (including fire department notification), and eyewash stations. The use of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and well-marked “hazmat” signage also provides necessary safety measures. Additionally, coordination with the local fire department, including fire drills, is important so that if a fire occurs the fire department will know what materials are being stored and where they are located.
35 Observations and Findings
warehouses were being maintained stocked. Instead, the through contractor support, while manufacturer stores the other agencies were using their merchandise and deliveries are personnel for the maintenance made to the customer’s site based function. At the Atlanta Federal upon computer generated reports Prison, inmates were being used for indicating their short-term grounds maintenance. The most supply needs. innovative technique observed was • Government Purchase Card use the use of neighboring Federal in the Federal Government has prisoners to maintain the outside had a dramatic impact on the premises at Eglin Air Force Base, items ordered for warehouse FL; and the Navy’s Saufley Field, inventories. Agencies indicated Pensacola, FL. that the growing use of the card Facilities Operations has reduced the stock stored and thus significantly reduced the The effects of A-76 reviews have amount of storage space also impacted the operational required. Use of the Government aspects of warehousing for many Purchase Card has in effect Federal agencies and military enabled FSS to still be in the organizations. While the host office supply business, but in a agencies generally indicated that it new and more efficient way. is preferable to have agency However, in some cases, it is personnel operating the warehouse, more convenient to order from using a contractor enables an local vendors to receive next day agency to implement cost savings delivery, or to go to a local store incentives that cannot be offered to and pick-up the items the same Federal employees. However, the day. SWING team was also told at more than one location that the use of • The prime vendor process takes contractors was cost prohibitive. advantage of the private sector distribution capabilities and Emerging Concepts electronic data processing to and Practices in supply customers. A single Warehousing vendor (prime vendor) buys inventory from a variety of Over the past several years there suppliers and the inventory is have been changes in how both the stored in commercial warehouses. public and private sector view the The customer orders supplies process of warehousing and service from the prime vendor using an delivery. This has had dramatic electronic ordering system. The effects on warehousing programs vendor then ships directly to the and facility requirements, especially Federal agency, as needed, within those of the Federal Government. a specific geographic area. This process reduces delivery time to • “Just-in-time” ordering has the customer and, by using the enabled point-of-sales, thus private sector’s storage and allowing agencies to limit the distribution system, reduces number and amount of items Federal agencies’ inventories and
36 Observations and Findings
associated warehousing and time sensitivity associated with redistribution costs. this type of stock. In most instances, this has • The National Stock Number significantly reduced the need for (NSN) system is an item storage space without a identification system in which corresponding reduction in space the majority of items carried by occupied. It should be noted that as the FSS are cataloged. This supply marketplace and ordering system is the same as the patterns have changed in the recent thirteen-digit numbering system past, GSA’s FSS has been able to established for items used in all reduce its occupied storage needs U.S. Government materials and has gone from over 20 major management functions. The first warehouse facilities to four large four digits show the item class or warehouse operations and seven Federal Supply Classification smaller warehouses. In the last two (FSC). The FSC relates like years alone, FSS has reduced its items of supply, i.e., different warehouse space by approximately types of copy paper will have the 1.5 million sq. ft. “7530” FSC designation. The next two numbers indicate the Other successful warehousing nation of origin. The last nine initiatives in the Federal digits (including the two digits Government include shelf life after the FSC) are a unique considerations and the use of number assigned to only one item National Stock Numbers: of supply and remains with that • The shelf life (usefulness) of item as long as it is used in the certain items warehoused is time Government’s supply system. All sensitive. These items should be items carried by FSS in the disposed of when they are GSA/FSS Supply Catalog are warehoused longer than the designated by a NSN. The NSN expiration date marked on the is analogous to the catalog item. Sometimes an item’s “shelf number used by a customer to life” can be extended based on indicate which item is to be testing procedures and ordered from a mail order manufacturer’s company in the private sector. recommendations. The NSN helps to simplify The shelf life of an item usually warehousing operations and requires a first-in-first-out information systems within the inventory method. A first-in Federal sector. Locations within first-out inventory procedure warehouses can be tied to the requires that the first item NSN to indicate where a received will be the first item particular item is stored. shipped. This limits the Receiving, selecting, shipping, inventory disposed of due to its and inventory functions are also shelf life. Special storage tied to the NSN to facilitate procedures must be considered handling and record for shelf life items because of the management of stock.
37 Strategic Storage Needs of the Federal Government
Mobility Bag Storage Tyndall Air Force Base, FL
38 Opportunities for Real Property Sharing
uring the development of Jacksonville Air National Guard this project it was hoped and GSA Leased Space, FL that, in addition to finding D The Jacksonville Air National the best practices and lessons Guard (JANG) has a need for learned in Government warehousing additional storage space that could programs, the SWING team would have been satisfied with discover opportunities for the approximately 25,000 sq. ft. of sharing of real property capacity vacant space GSA had been leasing among the Federal agencies. Three in Jacksonville. The SWING team opportunities did come to light, and provided JANG personnel with one (NARA, East Point, GA) has the GSA’s regional point of contact to potential for realization. There were coordinate a site visit. When the other locations visited that had team followed-up on this potential space available for sharing, but savings situation, the team was there were no other Federal advised that GSA had already taken agencies within a reasonable action to terminate the lease. distance to share the space. While outleasing the available space to the NARA, Office of Regional private sector was an option, Records Services, Southeast security, access and remoteness of Region, and GSA/FSS Southeast the locations severely limited this Distribution Center, Palmetto, option. The three sharing GA opportunities found are: The last and most promising NAS Pensacola, and Eglin opportunity is the NARA facility Air Force Base, FL presently located in a crowded World War II vintage warehouse in Changing mission needs at NAS East Point, GA. During the team’s Pensacola resulted in the temporary site visit with NARA, the agency’s availability of two warehouses, each Regional Administrator, Gayle approximately 40,000 sq. ft. These Peters, described an urgent need for two warehouses are fully powered additional space. In light of the and air-conditioned, and offer an amount of space that was needed excellent working environment. (approximately 400,000 sq. ft.), the These buildings could be made SWING team informed Mr. Peters available for other agency storage that GSA’s FSS was in the process needs for one - two years or until of vacating and releasing a large further mission changes require amount of space at their Southeast their use. Our discussions with the Distribution Facility in Palmetto, personnel from Eglin Air Force Base GA. Mr. Peters indicated that he indicated this space might meet had heard about that space, and he their needs for additional storage thought that discussions at a higher space. However, after a site visit by level had already commenced in Eglin operations personnel, it was that regard. As a result of this determined that a larger, open floor space sharing; NARA will realize a area was needed to accommodate cost saving of approximately their storage requirements, and the $500,000 annually in reduced rental distance between locations made its payments for that portion of the use impractical.
39 Opportunities for Real Property Sharing
East Point facility that will be community to form economic moved. GSA will have a rental “Enterprise Zones.” Generally, this payment pass-through of arrangement enables Federal approximately $1,400,000 per year agencies to provide separate and into the Federal Buildings Fund on secure access to unused warehouse the vacant space. space for use, or outlease by a local community at favorable “rent,” and Other sharing opportunities that may include minor building repair. the study found are being used by Due to the security requirements the TVA’s Hartsville Investment found at some Federal installations, Recovery Center, and DOE’s East these partnership agreements can Tennessee Technology Park, Oak be cumbersome to coordinate. Ridge, TN. In these cases, the agencies are working with the local
Shrink Wrapped Vehicles U.S. Marine Corps Distribution Depot, Albany, GA
40 Best Practices
he combination of the three • Static racking configured to areas of expertise accommodate full pallet loads Trepresented on the SWING and less than pallet loads – team provided an opportunity to AAFES – Ft Gillem, GA. understand how a facility interacts • Over-the-dock racking to utilize with its users and its uses. The otherwise unused cubic storage following is a list of the best space – AAFES, Ft Gillem, GA. practices identified and the locations using those practices. • Static racks configured on narrow Some of these practices and/or aisle forklift footprint – AAFES, locations have previously been Ft Gillem, GA; Pep Boys and identified elsewhere in the report, Ford Parts Distribution Center, but the team felt it important that both in McDonough, GA. this section specifically identify • Double stacked, horizontal those best practices for easier carousel mezzanine system identification and reference. integrated with bar coding and Further information regarding conveyor system – Marine Corps these noted areas may be obtained Logistics Base, Albany, GA. through the points of contact identified in Appendix IV, Site Visits • Breakaway insulated dock doors and Local Points of Contact. – Defense Distribution Depot, Albany, GA. • In-checking of receipts and delivery of orders utilizing bar • Racking system for inside storage code technology to enhance of vehicles and dehumidifying security, quality control and system to reduce vehicle verification – Veterans maintenance and protect Administration Hospital (VA), electronic components – Marine Atlanta, GA. Corps Logistics Base, Albany, GA. • Vertical carousel used for high • Triple tiered gravity flow racks in value, small cube items – the mezzanine – General Tennessee National Guard, Services Administration (GSA), Knoxville, TN. Palmetto, GA and AAFES, Ft Gillem, GA. • Conveyor system utilizing bar code technology to sort orders • Effective use of dock space for received from vendors to specific receiving and shipping – GSA, office areas – Oak Ridge National Palmetto, GA. Laboratories (ORNL), Oak Ridge, • Use of open floor space to store TN. bulk pallet loads – GSA, • Computer based Warehouse Palmetto, GA and Ft Worth, TX. Management System (WMS) • Warehouse information system integration with a conveyor development – GSA, Ft Worth, system and other warehousing TX. operations – Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), Ft • Over aisle storage space – Ford Gillem, GA. Parts Distribution Center, McDonough, GA.
41 Best Practices
• Efficient use of height (cubed • Supply Asset Tracking System, space) for tire storage – Pep tracks assets electronically Boys, McDonough, GA. through supply channels, to be implemented Air Force wide - • Real time manifesting using bar Eglin Air Force Base, FL. code technology – Ford Parts Distribution Center, McDonough, • Electronic screening of excess GA. depot stock - DRMO, Jacksonville, FL. • Motorized, moveable storage racks for heavy and slow moving • Radio Frequency (RF) technology items to maximize cube storage – to make real time adjustments to Arnold Air Force Base (AFB) – inventory - Mid-Florida Freezer Tullahoma, TN. Warehouse, Cape Canaveral, FL. • Warehouse design for future communication needs – Department of the Army, Ft Benning, GA. Medical Supplies Veterans Affairs Hospital, Atlanta, GA
42 Recommendations
s a result of the team’s visits operation. In addition, once to the various warehouse, programmed into a facility, Astorage, and distribution budgetary allowances must be activities of the Federal included for the maintenance of all Government and private sector, facility systems. many innovative techniques were • Maximize the full space of the observed and are identified in storage facility. previous sections of this report. Many of the professional warehouse Many of the facilities visited, personnel also spoke about, and especially those of the civilian acknowledged a need for changes in Federal agencies, were not existing conditions. However, due maximizing their warehouse space. to budgetary constraints, uncertain Space was poorly allocated; racks or evolving mission needs or other were not sized to storage load; constraints, many of which they had facility heights were inefficiently no direct control over, these used; items were obviously in “long warehouse experts were severely term” or “dead” storage modes; limited in their ability to make and/or publications were being changes. stored which appeared out-of-date. With the emerging trends of “just- Nevertheless, the following in-time” ordering, desk top delivery recommendations are the result of services, the widening use of the the team’s discussions and Government Purchase Card, and observations, as well as common desk top publishing, agencies are sense practices and best case finding that their warehouses are scenarios, to effect more efficient no longer in the office supply and effective Federal Government business. In light of streamlining real and personal property Federal budgets and reduction in management. staffing, Federal agencies could • Make the initial investment; reduce real and personal property it will save money in the long outlays by more proactively run. planning and managing their existing facilities. Specifically, Many of the warehouse personnel agencies should explore alternatives the team spoke to indicated that prior to requesting additional many of the warehouse limitations storage space and look for and inefficiencies were the result of opportunities to reduce space. a lack of investment in the warehouse project planning process. Prior to canceling a lease at a Many of the flexibilities desired (i.e., favorable rental rate, Federal additional height, power and agencies should contact other automated equipment, computer Federal activities in the area to see technology, employee comfort, etc.) if there is a justifiable need for that are more economical to include in space. the planning process than to add as Using all available height in a a change order during construction, warehouse can increase storage and even more expensive as a capacity. The addition of one renovation once the facility is in storage level, six feet high, in a
43 Recommendations
50,000 sq. ft. warehouse, would dual purposes: (1) receipt, storage, potentially increase the space by and issuance of newly procured 300,000 cubic feet. This could items; and (2) for turn-in and result in savings of approximately storage of excess personal property. $50,000 annually, not including The primary objective of most utilities, by not having to lease warehouses is the care and custody additional space. This cost is based of newly procured items that meet on an average rental rate of $5.00 the mission needs of the agency. per square foot for warehouse space. Less care and concern were devoted This low-end estimate excludes the to the proper storage of excess cost of utilities, according to Carol personal property. This approach to M. Bravo, Director of Finance and handling excess property indicates a Marketing, Phillips & Company, lack of training in personal property Jacksonville, FL. While the team disposal processes. This can be saw several instances where this addressed through the following: principle could potentially save the Federal agencies should use Government many thousands of current regulations, especially dollars in procurement activities relating to abandonment or and rental payments, a detailed destruction of personal property cost-benefit analysis must be done (FPMR 101-48, Utilization, on a case-by-case basis to determine Donation, or Disposal of the most beneficial course of action Abandoned and Forfeited for the Federal Government. Personal Property), in an effort to • GSA should review the process excess property in a Federal Property Manage- timely manner. ment Regulations (FPMR) Federal agencies should use, to and the Property Act to the fullest extent practical, the recommend changes that Memorandum of Understanding streamline and add value to between GSA and DLA that the personal property allows them to turn-in excess disposal process. personal property to the nearest GSA is currently working DRMO. collaboratively with Federal Federal agencies should take a agencies to rewrite the FPMRs more proactive approach to relating to personal property into inventory reviews and controls to plain language and to eliminate screen items that are candidates those regulations that do not add for excess. In addition, agencies value to the disposal process. In can use existing technologies (i.e., addition, GSA has developed a high-speed printers, worldwide legislative proposal to change the web sites, and increased Property Act to provide Federal computer memory) to produce agencies more flexibility in hard copy documentation as disposing of personal property. needed rather than maintaining Throughout the course of the study, space and cost-consuming hard the SWING team saw where copy inventories. Federal warehouses were used for GSA should continue to pursue
44 Recommendations
changes to the Property Act to purchases made through this enable Federal agencies to retain program ensure the continued the proceeds from the sale of availability of these discounts. The surplus personal property. This programs offered to provide office would provide Federal agencies and related supplies include: with an incentive to be more GSA Advantage - This on-line proactive in their inventory shopping service provides Federal review processes. agencies with an Internet accessible • Federal agencies should first “store” for purchases. GSA consider GSA negotiated Advantage can be accessed through supply contracts before using the Internet at http://www.gsa.gov. local vendor sources. Customer Supply Centers (CSCs) - The GSA/FSS provides Federal Located around the country, these agencies worldwide with everything centers stock over 11,000 items and from office supplies to medical, provide mail order service. Stocked safety, and fire fighting equipment. items are available via catalog. (see FSS purchases these items in Appendix VI - Additional Sources of volume (in accordance with the Information for a CSC location). Federal Acquisition Regulations) In view of the Administration’s and at a discount that is passed on efforts to reduce staff, limit budgets, to the Federal community, and and the resulting increase in provides guaranteed desk-top workloads, Federal agencies should delivery in one to three days. Direct consider the advantages of utilizing delivery from vendors is also GSA’s FSS programs and pricing available for large orders using the schedules for their general supply FSS schedule program. Since FSS needs before going to the private is a self-funding organization, sector.
45 Strategic Storage Needs of the Federal Government
Embankment Mats Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Norris Reservation, Norris, TN
46 Glossary
Bar code technology - A computer generated identification code that allows optical character recognition and identification of an item. Battery charging area - An area in the warehouse that is equipped to charge heavy duty machinery batteries, and should be designed with first aid capabilities such as an eye wash station. Bin totes/boxes - Containers that are used to store bulky items. These boxes can be made out of wood, metal, plastic, fiberglass or cardboard. Bridge cranes - A bridge crane runs parallel to the roof usually on structural steel beams. Bridge cranes are used for low volume, heavy, large or awkwardly shaped objects. Bulk storage - Storage of large quantities of solid or liquid supplies. Bulk storage can include such items as coal, lumber, petroleum products, large pallet quantities, etc. “C” Rack - A type of shelving rack, whose sides resemble a “C”, used to store metal pipe, and lumber stock. Carousel storage system - A continuous loop of moveable storage racks. Ceiling joist - A type of beam that holds up the roof structure. Often conveyor systems, HVAC systems and fire suppression systems are mounted to these “roof” beams. Clear stacking height - The maximum height that items can be stored. Objects hanging from the roof such as I-beams, gas pipes, HVAC units dictate and influence the clear stacking height. Cold storage - The storage of items in a very cold warehouse atmosphere. Generally these warehouses are set up as a virtual freezer. Computer based tracking system - A system using bar code technology to perform inventory reordering, and accounting functions automatically through the computer. Dead stock - Items that rarely get moved out of the warehouse. Drive in/drive through racks - This rack system holds pallets that are supported on the sides and allows a forklift to maneuver within the structure to store or retrieve loads. Emergency order - Requests that takes first priority and at some military bases are filled in less than one hour. Excess property - Property that is no longer required by the owner agency and is available to other Federal agencies. Floor load - The amount of weight that a floor has been engineered to support.
47 Glossary
Floor plan - The design of the warehouse pertaining to the placement and location of storage racks, offices, receiving areas, and shipping areas, etc. Floor template - The dimensional size of the floor. Flow through operation - This operation is characterized by having deliveries of items on one side of the warehouse and performing the distribution functions on the opposite side of the building. This configuration produces a “flow through” system of receiving and shipping. Forklift truck - A material-handling vehicle designed to move loads by means of steel forks inserted under the load. Gantry cranes - A portable crane that is on wheels that has two “A” sides and a center cross beam. Hazardous materials - Property that is deemed a hazardous material, chemical substance or mixture, or hazardous waste, under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (TCRA), or the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). High-density storage system - An automated storage system that is a vertical high-cube storage/retrieval machine. IMPAC Card - The International Merchant Purchase Authorization Card (IMPAC) or “Government Purchase Card” is a credit card that the Government uses to purchase items. Internal height - The maximum clear and free height to store items in the warehouse. Just in time ordering - A procurement method that reduces warehouse storage space by having supplies delivered to the user at the time they are needed. K Rack - A rack system whose sides resemble a “K” and is generally used for pallet storage. Less that truck Load (LTL) - This is when a delivery truck is packed with less than a full load. An LTL delivery is usually more expensive that a fully loaded truck. Life cycle costs - Costs measured throughout the entire useful life of an item. For an example, the life cycle costs of a forklift would gauge its acquisition and maintenance costs over 10 to 15 years or its estimated useful life. Loading dock - The opening of the warehouse structure that is designed for truck loading and unloading. Loading dock shelter - A structure that protects the loading dock from the weather elements.
48 Glossary
Materials handling - The science and application of warehousing, moving, and the handling materials. Mezzanine storage - A storage area of an intermediate or fractional size between a floor and ceiling in a warehouse. Moveable Storage Rack - A moveable storage system that allows storage racks to be moved together. This storage system moves the shelves to provide an aisle for retrieval of items. Office creep - Office creep occurs when warehouse space is encroached upon by office space. Order picking - The selection of items from storage locations to fill an order request. Overhead conveyor system - An overhead mechanical system that moves items through the warehouse, often attached to the roof joists of the building structure. Packing area - An area that is used for constructing exterior shipping containers and preparing items for shipment. These containers include wood boxes, cardboard boxes, and shrink wrapping. Pallet - A portable platform on which materials may be placed in unit loads to facilitate vertical stacking or loading, in palletized units, by mechanical lifting equipment. Pallet jack - A handcart with two forks that allows a person to move a loaded pallet from one place to another. Pallet rack - Metal racks (generally “K” racks) used for vertical storage of pallets. Palletization - The placing of material on a pallet to facilitate handling and storage. Personal Property - Any property except real property, records of the Federal Government, and naval vessels of the following categories: battleships, cruisers, aircraft carriers, destroyers and submarines. Physical inventory - An inventory in which each item is physically located and accounted for. Pick cart - A propelled device designed to hold small packages and tote boxes. Porta-cool fans - Large fans that blow air over water, taking advantage of evaporation and moving air to cool an area. Rack space - The amount of space that can be used to store items in a racking structure. Rail dock - A loading dock designed for loading and unloading railroad cars.
49 Glossary
Rail service - The ability to receive and ship by rail. Real Property - Describes property that is real estate in nature. Buildings and land are considered real property. Real time - The immediate update of information through computer technology. Receiving area - An area used for checking, inspecting and preparing incoming materials prior to storage in the warehouse. RF technology (Radio frequency technology) - The ability to update accounting and inventory data by radio signals to a central computer system. SATS (Supply Asset Tracking System) - A supply database that tracks items from receipt to disposition. Skylights - Openings in the roof which allow light to enter into the warehouse structure. Space saver system - A storage system that has moveable racks to enable high-density storage. Space utilization - The concept of how space is used. Sprinkler code (NFPA Code) - A national sprinkler code used by many jurisdictions. In light of their different missions and configurations, each warehouse should check with the local fire codes and local fire authorities. Stackable pallets - Pallets equipped with either temporary or permanent metal frames that permit stacking one on top of the other. Storage bin - A container that is used to store items. Storage bins are usually an efficient way to store similar items that need to be retrieved easily. Storage rack - A rack that is used to store items. Often this rack holds pallets. Surplus Property - Excess property determined by GSA to be no longer required by the Federal Government. Surplus property can entail both real and personal property. Tilt-roller table - A material moving table which lifts, tilts and assists in the handling of materials. Towveyor - A cart with a hook that attaches to a moving chain in the floor of the warehouse and tows carts in a fixed path. Trailer latches - A latch that holds the truck trailer in place while it is being loaded or unloaded. Trailer maneuverability - The ability for trucks and trailers to maneuver to the loading dock, without impeding ingress and egress.
50 Glossary
Truck wheel load/parking lot - The weight load and structural design of the macadam needed to support loaded trucks. Turn key warehouse facility - When a contractor takes over all of the warehouse functions for a fee. Vacuum lift system - A vacuum assisted material lifting system that allows large, heavy items to be moved easily. Velocity management - Velocity Management is an Army wide program designed to get logistics support into the hands of soldiers as fast and predictably as possible, by finding and eliminating sources of delay and undependability in the Army Logistics processes. Warehouse layout - The design of the warehouse showing the location of storage racks, packing areas, receiving areas, offices, etc. Warehouse security - The protection of real and personal property through measures that may include armed guards, dogs, motion detectors, locking gates on all doors, etc. Worker productivity - The amount of work produced by a person in a given amount of time. Worldwide inventory - A large database that stores information on all Government owned and leased buildings.
51 Strategic Storage Needs of the Federal Government
Computer Controlled Carousel U.S. Marine Base, Blount Island, FL
52 Appendices
I. Project Charter ...... 55 II. Kick-Off Meeting Letter of Invitation & List of Attendees ...... 57 III. Matrix of Locations and Storage Functions ...... 61 IV. Site Visit Summaries and Local Points of Contact ...... 65 Florida ...... 67 Georgia...... 75 Tennessee...... 87 Other Locations Visited ...... 95 V. Questionnaire Survey and Synopsis ...... 97 VI. Additional Sources of Information ...... 103 VII. Publication Survey ...... 105
53 Strategic Storage Needs of the Federal Government
AAFES, Fort Gillem, GA
54 I. Project Charter
Office of Real Property Strategic Storage Needs of the Federal Government Team Charter April 6, 1998
Initiative needs and thereby provide potential savings by improving the utilization The Office of Governmentwide of real property required to Policy (OGP), Office of Real accomplish the Federal Property, will conduct a Government’s warehouse needs. collaborative study of the strategic This study will also explore storage needs of the Federal potential savings to the Federal Government. This will be Government based on the accomplished by the establishment application of warehousing of a Strategic Warehouse Inventory inventory methodology. Needs Group (SWING) which will include representatives of The goals of this initiative include: participating Federal agencies, as • Encouraging interagency well as a representative of OGP’s participation in sharing Office of Transportation and warehouse space and storage Personal Property, and the General methodology information. Services Administration’s (GSA’s) Federal Supply Service (FSS). This • Saving resources by exchanging study will research the efficiency solutions, sharing best practices, and the effectiveness of warehouse and taking advantage of and storage areas used by the underutilized resources to meet Federal Government. The study the Federal Government’s will result in a report on the storage needs. findings that will include • Collaborating to solve common recommendations for achieving real property warehouse efficient real property asset problems. management, and provide information on best practices for • Sharing information and inventory management. expertise that lead to better warehouse asset management Purpose decisions. The main objectives of this study • Making the best use of Federal are to work with Federal agencies resources. in a collaborative manner to review • Providing a final document of current real property warehouse value to all Federal agencies. and storage practices and establish a method of sharing real property The team will achieve these goals information and best practices through: governmentwide. This study will • Meeting with agencies and col- provide opportunities for Federal laboratively identifying problems, agencies to share resources to meet issues, and best practices. the Federal Government’s storage
55 I. Project Charter
• Conducting a field study in which Team Members the physical real property warehouse space and the Team Leader: inventory methodology are Sheldon Greenberg observed. (202) 501-0629 • Identifying the best practices and Team Members: specific efforts of Federal agencies that are successful in Hank Aldag meeting their agency’s storage (202) 208-3993 requirements. Gary Thompson • Identifying higher and better (202) 208-7433 uses of warehouse space by Michael Wayne sharing information between (703) 305-5223 agencies. Sponsors David L. Bibb Stanley C. Langfeld Team Consultants Federal Agency Representatives, Private Industry, and Real and Personal Property Related Organizations
56 II. Kick-off Meeting Letter of Invitation and List of Attendees
ADMINISTRATION SERVICES U.S. GENERAL Office of Governmentwide Policy
April 17, 1998 Mr. Robert Peck Commissioner, Public Buildings Service U.S. General Services Administration 1800 F Street, NW Room 6344 Washington, DC 20405 Dear Mr. Peck In the furtherance of its leadership role in real property asset management, the Office of Governmentwide Policy, Office of Real Property is coordinating a pilot study of strategic warehousing and related storage space requirements of Federal agencies. This study will be based on a collaborative effort with Federal agencies that have, or may require the use of warehouse or storage space in the study area. We would like to include a review of any recent real property utilization studies, if available. In addition, on-site visits to existing agency facilities will be conducted to assist in the evaluation of the personal property which is being stored, or may be available for shared use by Federal agencies. To accomplish this study, we have reviewed information available in the Worldwide Inventory database and selected the States of Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida as the geographic area to conduct this pilot study. We feel this area offers the most potential for achieving our goal of Governmentwide economies through identification of best practices and various other means of efficient real property asset management and warehouse utilization. This study will result in a report that will assess current warehousing practices of Federal agencies and make recommendations regarding the potential for improved future facilities uses. Accordingly, we are seeking the participation of those agencies which currently have storage facilities in the selected area and those selected agencies who may require such facilities in the near-term future (5 years). I am requesting that you or your representative be a member of the Strategic Warehousing Inventory Needs Group (SWING). We will have our kickoff meeting on Thursday, May 7, 1998, at 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Room 6206, GSA Central Office at 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC. We plan to use this initial meeting to discuss any unique or special agency interests or concerns regarding this study. Please send the name, address, Internet address, and telephone number of your agency’s designated contact for participation in this study by Friday, April 24, 1998, via Internet to Sheldon Greenberg at [email protected] or call (202) 501-0629.
If you have any questions or require any additional information, please contact Sheldon Greenberg. Your agency’s participation and input into this study will ensure a more realistic, collaborative Governmentwide perspective. Thank you for your assistance in this collaborative Governmentwide pilot study effort.
Yours truly,
David L. Bibb Deputy Associate Administrator 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20405-0002 Office of Real Property
57 II. Letter of Invitation and List of Attendees
List of Attendees
Strategic Warehousing Inventory Needs Group Meeting May 7, 1998
Agency Representative Telephone E-Mail Address
Department of Veterans Affairs Dick Bundy (202) 565-5398 [email protected]
Department of Energy Andy Duran (202) 586-4547 [email protected]
Department of Defense Richard L. Townsend (703) 614-6399 [email protected]
Robert Hobson (703) 604-5808 [email protected]
Department of Agriculture Ann Hair (202) 720-2994 [email protected]
Department of the Air Force Charles Skidmore (202) 767-4033 [email protected]
Cathy Dee (202) 767-4383 [email protected]
Jim Enloe (703) 601-0187 [email protected]
Department of the Army Randy Klug (703) 693-4583 [email protected]
Jim Askew (703) 683-7100 [email protected]
Department of Education Denise Estep (202) 401-8366 [email protected]
Connie Blackwell (202) 401-1269 [email protected]
Department of Health and Human Services Peggy Dodd (202) 619-1755 [email protected]
Department of the Interior John Moresko (202) 208-5704 [email protected]
Department of the Navy Carl Lowery, Jr. (703) 588-6686 [email protected]
William Rutter (202) 433-4105 [email protected]
Dave Powell (202) 433-4100 [email protected]
58 II. Letter of Invitation and List of Attendees
Agency Representative Telephone E-Mail Address
Department of Housing and Urban Development Edda Aixa Nieves (202) 331-5001 edda a. [email protected]
Department of Justice Lisa Harris (202) 307-1873 [email protected]
UNICOR - Federal Prison Industry Paul Spots (202) 305-3848 [email protected]
Department of the Treasury Bob Harper (202) 622-0500 [email protected]
Brenda Hemphill (202) 622-0057 [email protected]
General Services Administration Pat Bailey (404) 331-2196 [email protected]
Scott Ayers (404) 331-0508 [email protected]
Department of Transportation Rita Martin (202) 366-9724 [email protected]
George Kuchas (202) 366-1614 [email protected]
Army Corps of Engineers Monte Ferry (202) 761-1748 not available
Environmental Protection Agency Portia Johnson (202) 260-2030 [email protected]
Tennessee Valley Authority Steven R. Ayers (423) 751-7903 [email protected]
Social Security Administration Mel Lorden (410) 965-7225 [email protected]
NASA Tony Cuticchia (202) 358-1094 [email protected]
Dave Melton (202) 358-2302 [email protected]
Department of State Dave Wilson (202) 647-3458 not available
DOD – DLA Thomas Karst (703) 767-3554 [email protected]
Darrell Sears (703) 767-3506 [email protected]
59 Strategic Storage Needs of the Federal Government
Record Storage NARA, Regional Records Services, East Point, GA
60 III. Matrix of Locations and Storage Function
Florida G/O = Govt Owned L = Leased PS = Private Sector G/O Sq Ft Gen Excess Supply Primary Purpose of Location L or PS* (000) Storage Storage Distrib Warehouse and Storage Facility
1 NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA G/O 1,022 X X Active base supplies and a distribution area that includes FL, TX, TN, and Cuba. 2 US AIR FORCE, SAUFLEY FIELD, PENSACOLA G/O 38 X Provides all base supply including local purchasing functions. 3 EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE G/O 1,233 X X Maintains aircraft parts, and performs local distribution functions. 4 TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE G/O 382 X X Provides aircraft parts & performs local distribution functions. 5 NASA, KENNEDY SPACE CENTER G/O 2,187 X X X Maintains administrative supplies, spacecraft payload supplies, and facility spare parts. 6 PATRICK AFB & CAPE CANAVERAL AFS G/O 438 X Provides launch support, aircraft parts, hazardous materials and other base supplies. 7 MID-FLORIDA FREEZER LTD., CAPE CANAVERAL P/S 500 X Storage and shipment of newsprint paper and citrus concentrate liquids. 8 IDS, INC., CAPE CANAVERAL PS 50 X X Provides foreign trade zone storage facilities including bar coding and freight forwarding. 9 MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE G/O 658 X X Storage of aircraft & related parts for base functions. 10 JACKSONVILLE AIR NATIONAL GUARD G/O 14 X X X Supports aircraft, personnel, & provide base supplies. 11 US MARINE BASE, BLOUNT ISLAND G/O 262 X Turnaround activities to unload, check, and reload supply ship. 12 NAVAL AIR STATION, JACKSONVILLE G/O 1,341 X X X Provides supply and support for base aircraft, personnel. 13 DLA DEFENSE REUTILIZATN OFC, JACKSONVILLE G/O 70 X Local point for disposal of excess and surplus personal property items. 14 GSA WAREHOUSE, JACKSONVILLE L 34 X Vacant (terminated) leased space. 15 MAYPORT NAVAL STATION, MAYPORT G/O 185 X X Provides storage for reconditioned parts, and local base supplies. 16 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, MIAMI L 40 X X X Staging for distribution of new computers, and storage of hurricane, medical & facility supplies. TOTAL 3,444
61 III. Matrix of Locations and Storage Function
Georgia G/O = Govt Owned L = Leased PS = Private Sector G/O Sq Ft Gen Excess Supply Primary Purpose of Location L or PS* (000) Storage Storage Distrib Warehouse and Storage Facility
1 US NAVY TRIDENT REFIT FACILITY, KINGS BAY G/O 285 X X Provides bulk and binnable storage for US, UK and other tenant submarine activities. 2 NARA, REGIONAL RECORDS SERVICES, EAST POINT G/O 221 X X Maintains storage facilities for Federal records, archives, and records management. 3 GSA WAREHOUSE, 2115 MONROE DRIVE, ATLANTA L 10 X X Storage of excess personal property, and slow moving office supplies. 4 DOBBINS AIR FORCE BASE, MARIETTA G/O 107 X X Provides all base supplies for the entire base. Inventory is turned over 3 to 4 times a year. 5 NAS ATLANTA & GEORGIA AIR RESERVE, MARIETTA G/O 160 X X Ready storage of quick deployment items such as trucks, tanks, and other field equipment. 6 HHS/CDC, ATLANTA L 65 X X X Supports CDC contagion research operations. 7 HHS/CDC PUBLICATIONS WAREHOUSE, CHAMBLEE L 26 X X Publication, mailing, and storage of CDC literature. 8 INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, TUCKER L 64 X X X Storage of IRS office supplies, forms, furniture, and items to be declared excess. 9 UNICOR FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, ATLANTA G/O 300 X X Repair of USPS mailbags, assembly of military uniforms and mattress construction operations. 10 USDA/FS, CHATTAHOOCHEE NF, GAINESVILLE G/O 50 X X Support facilities for operations and maintenance of the Chattahoochee & Oconee National Forests. 11 VETERANS AFFAIRS HOSPITAL, ATLANTA G/O 22 X X X Storage and distribution of medical supplies to support the VA hospital. 12 GSA/FSS SOUTHEAST DISTRIB FACILITY, PALMETTO L 1,334 X X Distribution center for materials provided by FSS. Location is highly automated and mechanized. 13 US ARMY INFANTRY CENTER, FORT BENNING G/O 1,101 X X Deployment center and storage facility for army infantry clothing and gear. 14 USDA, CARTER PLANT MATLS FACILITY, AMERICUS G/O 26 X X Storage facilities for agricultural plant and related outdoor research equipment. 15 FEMA/GSA FACILITY, THOMASVILLE G/O 33 X X X Maintains emergency FEMA field equipment, and GSA facility maintenance supplies. 16 COE/USAF, 204 WELCH ST, SYLVESTER L 42 X X Storage of large tents and support equipment ready for immediate deployment. 17 DEFENSE DISTRIBUTION DEPOT, ALBANY G/O 1,877 X X Provides complete warehousing facilities for co- located USMC and other DOD customers worldwide. 18 USMC LOGISITICS BASE, FLT SUPPORT CTR, ALBANY G/O 1,791 X X Warehousing and storage yards for military personal property and equipment. 19 USAF DISTRIBUTION DEPOT, ALBANY G/O 80 X X Provides storage for aircraft revetments (protective ground cover). 20 USDA, SE NUT RESEARCH FACILITY, BYRON G/O 23 X Storage of pesticides, greenhouse supplies, and hazardous wastes to support facility reserarch . 21 WARNER ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE G/O 3,748 X X Warehousing for facilities support of maintenance and operations. 22 WARNER ROBINS DRMO G/O 38 X X Local point for disposal of excess and surplus personal property items. 23 PEP BOYS WAREHOUSE, MCDONOUGH PS 400 X X Warehousing of automotive parts and supplies for the PEP Boys Company. 24 FORD PARTS DISTRIBUTION CENTER, MCDONOUGH PS 500 X X Distribution center for Ford auto parts and supplies to TN, KY, VA, NC, SC, AL, and MI. 25 FORT GILLEM G/O 3,100 X X Warehousing and distribution for AAFES. New facility is highly automted and mechanized. TOTAL 15,403
62 III. Matrix of Locations and Storage Function
Tennessee G/O = Govt Owned L = Leased PS = Private Sector G/O Sq Ft Gen Excess Supply Primary Purpose of Location L or PS* (000) Storage Storage Distrib Warehouse and Storage Facility
1 DEPT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, JOHNSON CITY L 19 X X Storage and distribution of medical supplies to support the VA hospital. 2 HOLSTON AMMUNITION PLANT, KINGSPORT G/O 256 X X Facilities support for maintenance and operation of facility. 3 TVA, SEVIER FOSSIL FUEL PLANT, ROGERSVILLE G/O 10 X X Storage of spare parts and other materials to support power generation plant. 4 DOI/NPS, SMOKY MOUNTAIN NP, GATLINBURG G/O 44 X Warehouse and storage yard support information center and park maintenance needs. 5 TYSON AB, TN NATIONAL GUARD, MCGHEE G/O 53 X X Provides base supply and field unit deployment equipment. 6 TVA, NORRIS RESERVATION, NORRIS G/O 132 X X Storage related to supplies for the hydroelectric plant, and water management research equipment. 7 DOE, OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LAB, OAK RIDGE G/O 13,132 X X Warehouses, stores, and distributes a wide variety of materials and supplies for the large facility. 8 TVA, HARTSVILLE INVESTMENT RECOVERY CTR G/O 1,200 X X X Storage, distribution and sales of TVA facility related equipment. 9 ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TULLAHOMA G/O 145 X X Storage of aviation research materials.
10 TVA, CHATTANOOGA POWER SRVC, CHATTANOOGA G/O 145 X X Supports the TVA research laboratory, as well as repair items for electrical contractors. 11 DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, MEMPHIS L 34 X X Storage and distribution of medical supplies to support the VA hospital. 12 NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, MID-SOUTH, MILLINGTON G/O 122 X X Provides facility support for Naval Recuiting, Personnel R&D & Corps of Engineers Financial Center. 13 DOI/FWS HATCHIE WILDLIFE REFUGE, HATCHIE G/O 11 X X Storage area includes open outdoor equipment structures & shop buildings to support the refuge. TOTAL 15,404
Total Square Footage of Facilities Visited Florida ...... 3,444,000 Georgia ...... 15,403,000 Tennessee ...... 15,404,000 Grand Total ...... 39,251,000
63 Strategic Storage Needs of the Federal Government
Narrow Isle Storage Eglin Air Force Base, FL
64 IV. Site Visits and Local Points of Contact
Site Visits Site visits were the core of this The ensuing pages contain a map of warehouse study. At each site, the the three states in the study, a visit commenced with a briefing or description of the occupant Federal meeting with the facility manager, agency’s mission (or private sector base commander, or other personnel campany’s mission) and our local responsible for the maintenance or point of contact with voice and e- operation of the facility followed by mail information. All the square a “walk and talk” tour of the facility. footages are rounded to the nearest During these tours, our discussions 1,000 sq. ft. and are based either on with the agency personnel provided the Worldwide Inventory database many perspectives on warehousing of 1996 or more precise information that were often mission specific and provided by the agency. impacted the warehouse operations.
65 Strategic Storage Needs of the Federal Government
Newsprint Paper Rolls Small Parts Storage Mid-Florida Freezer Warehouse Ltd., Mayport Naval Station, Cape Canaveral, FL Mayport, FL
66 Florida
10 11
2 12 13 1 14 15 3
4
5 7
6 8
1 NAVAL AIR STATION, PENSACOLA 9 2 US AIR FORCE, SAUFLEY FIELD, PENSACOLA 3 EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE 4 TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE 5 NASA, KENNEDY SPACE CENTER 6 PATRICK AFB & CAPE CANAVERAL AFS 7 MID-FLORIDA FREEZER LTD., CAPE CANAVERAL 8 IDS, INC., CAPE CANAVERAL 9 MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE 10 JACKSONVILLE AIR NATIONAL GUARD
11 US MARINE BASE, BLOUNT ISLAND 16 12 NAVAL AIR STATION, JACKSONVILLE 13 DLA DEFENSE REUTILIZATN OFFICE, JACKSONVILLE 14 GSA WAREHOUSE, JACKSONVILLE 15 MAYPORT NAVAL STATION, MAYPORT 16 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, MIAMI
67 Florida
1. 2. 3. Naval Air Station, U.S. Air Force, Saufley Eglin Air Force Base, Pensacola, FL Field, Pensacola, FL FL Point of Contact: Point of Contact: Point of Contact: Randy Hendricks Commander James Cruz Joseph R. Reed, Deputy Chief of Supply Phone Number: Phone Number: Phone Number: (850) 452-4515 ext. 335 (850) 452-2732 (850) 882-4300 E-mail: E-mail: E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Square Footage: Square Footage: Square Footage: 1,022,000 SQ. FT. 38,000 SQ. FT. 1,223,000 SQ. FT. This Air Station is the Navy’s initial Air Force operations at Saufley training station for all pilots. The Field are co-mingled with a Federal Eglin Air Force Base’s mission is to warehouse operation at NAS prison. Prison inmates maintain provide for the developmental Pensacola supplies the base as well the grounds and the military testing of all aviation equipment. as the post-exchange (PX). This operates the warehouses, which are Currently, this base is preparing for facility stocks active supply that is located behind 10-foot high fences. the new F-22 with new hangars and received by tractor-trailer. The The warehouse visited is used to warehouses to accommodate this distribution area of this warehouse supply the base “local purchasing” new aircraft. Since 1957, this base operation includes the entire Gulf function. has stocked general supplies, jet Coast from Memphis, TN, to Dallas engines, and overseas ready TX, to Jacksonville, FL, and to supplies. Most of the storage is Cuba. short-term, with short-notice distribution readiness capabilities. Due to the high profile of the base and the nature of the items stored, Eglin Air Force Base has automated most of its operation.
High, Narrow Isles Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, FL
68 Florida
4. 5. 6. Tyndall Air Force Base, NASA, Kennedy Patrick Air Force Base FL Space Center, FL and Cape Canaveral Point of Contact: Point of Contact: Air Force Station, FL Bill Libbey, Base Supply Officer Terry Krzywick Point of Contact: & Functional Area Chief Phone Number: Donna Wenzel Phone Number: (407) 867-7475 Phone Number: (850) 283-4314 E-mail: (407) 494-8639 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Square Footage: donna [email protected] Square Footage: 2,187,000 SQ. FT. Square Footage: 382,000 SQ. FT. NASA and the Kennedy Space 438,000 SQ. FT. The Tyndall Air Force Base Center share the same facility and Warehouse space is located at both warehouse operation provides services, but are run by different facilities that are part of the 45th aircraft parts and distributes local agencies: NASA and DOD, Space Wing. These warehouses supplies. The warehouse operation respectively. The warehouse function as the base supply for Cape has active turnover with no long- facilities at these sites provide Canaveral and Patrick Air Force term storage. The supply and administrative, payload, and facility Base and two downrange launch transportation functions have been spare part supplies. The support locations. Storage for relocated to the same warehouse in uniqueness of their missions Mobility Spares Kits, aircraft parts order to facilitate the urgency impacts their storage facilities. The for the C-130 and HH-60’s, critical associated with both operations. warehouses have overhead cranes, launch support spares and 50-foot high-density storage hazardous material are also stored systems, and other special material at these locations. handling equipment.
Jet Engine Storage Tyndall Air Force Base, FL
69 Florida
7. 8. 9. Mid-Florida Freezer Integrated Distribution MacDill Warehouses, Ltd., Services, Inc., Air Force Base, FL Cape Canaveral, FL Cape Canaveral, FL Point of Contact: Point of Contact: Point of Contact: Bob Schiaffo Mark Demary, David T. Adams, President Phone Number: Information Systems Manager Phone Number: (813) 828-2038 Phone Number: (407) 799-9100 E-mail: (407) 783-9623 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: Not Available Square Footage: [email protected] Square Footage: 658,000 SQ. FT. Website: 50,000 SQ. FT. The MacDill Air Force Base http://www.mffreezer.com Integrated Distribution Services, warehouses, stores and Square Footage: Inc. (IDS), a subtenant of Mid- disseminates aircraft parts and Florida Freezer Warehouses, Ltd., local base supplies. Presently, a 500,000 SQ. FT. offers freight forwarding, bar coded new warehouse facility is being This private sector company, and its storage, transportation, and foreign built in an aircraft hangar to store subtenant, Integrated Distribution trade zone warehousing. The aircraft parts on the flight deck Services, Inc. (IDS), provides foreign Disney Cruise Line is IDS’s primary area. This new warehouse space trade zone storage for foreign client. will use high-density vertical companies. These companies storage technology. strongly believe in the use of computers and real-time radio frequency technology which enables Covered Reutilization them to check a shipping manifest Staging Area before inbound cargo arrives in port. Damaged goods can be identified DLA Defense Reutilization and remedies negotiated using Office, Jacksonville, FL computer file photos (.jpg, .gif, .tif software pictorial files are used). International information exchanges are also accomplished using Electric Data Interchange via the internet.
70 Florida
10. 11. 12. Jacksonville Air U.S. Marine Base, Naval Air Station, National Guard, Blount Island, FL Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville, FL Point of Contact: Point of Contact: Point of Contact: Chip Newton James A. Morgan, Deputy Facilities Officer Major Richard Entwistle Phone Number: Chief Engineer, Phone Number: (904) 696-5063 Facilities Department (904) 741-7401 E-mail: Phone Number: E-mail: [email protected] (904) 502-2118 [email protected] Square Footage: E-mail: Square Footage: 262,000 SQ. FT. [email protected] 14,000 SQ. FT. Blount Island’s mission is to provide Square Footage: warehousing services to supply 13 The Jacksonville Air National 1,341,000 SQ. FT. Guard provides air support for the ships around the world. These State of Florida. The warehouse ships carry supplies and equipment Naval Air Station Jacksonville operation on this base provides base to sustain 60,000 soldiers for up to provides training for pilots and has supplies to support the aircraft and 30 of days of war. Almost all of the a Navy campus on base. The personnel. The warehouse was storage is short-term. The warehouse function supports the built in 1969 with ceilings that are warehouse uses a rotation system base aircraft, personnel, and only 13-feet high. Presently, there that requires all of the stocked disposition of unused items. These are plans to add a high-density items to be unloaded from the ships, warehouses often ship items such as storage system that would increase rechecked, and then restocked back aircraft, ships, and barges that operational efficiency by 20-30%. onto the ships. never enter the warehouse facility. The Jacksonville Air National This operation ships items Guard has approved plans to build worldwide. a new 4,000 sq. ft. warehouse facility in the near future.
Hydraulic Lift Tables U.S. Marine Base, Blount Island, FL
71 Florida
13. 14. DLA Defense GSA Warehouse, Reutilization Jacksonville, FL Marketing Office, Point of Contact: Jacksonville, FL Carol Bravo, Point of Contact: Director of Finance and Marketing, Phillips and Company Linda Poole Phone Number: Phone Number: (904) 396-9960 (904) 772-9248 ext. 28 Square Footage: E-mail: 34,000 SQ. FT. [email protected] This GSA leased facility was Square footage: formerly occupied by the IRS and 70,000 SQ. FT. was built to accommodate the storage of documents. At present, The center sells and distributes the lease has been terminated. surplus and refurbished items, using the Internet and first-in-first- out method of inventory control. Naval Aircraft Historic These items can be sent to any Preservation Facility agency at any location. Naval Air Station Pensacola, Pensacola, FL
72 Florida
15. 16. Mayport Naval Station, Department of Mayport, FL Veterans Affairs, Point of Contact: Miami, FL Bob Patrinni, Point of Contact: Deputy Supply Officer, Gwen Moore Supply Department Phone Number: Phone Number: (305) 324-3281 (904) 270-6160 E-mail: E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Square Footage: Square Footage: 40,000 SQ. FT. 185,000 SQ. FT. This warehouse serves the Miami The Mayport Naval Station VA Medical Center in Miami, supports the H60 and H2 Florida. The inventory at this helicopters. This warehouse stores location has a high rate of turnover, “A” (ready to use) reconditioned which consists of computers, parts and local base supplies. hurricane supplies, medical supplies, building management Warehouse Staging Area stock, and excess items. Mayport Naval Station, Mayport, FL
73 Strategic Storage Needs of the Federal Government
Loading Dock U.S. Navy Trident Refit Facility, Kings Bay, GA
74 Georgia
1 US NAVY TRIDENT REFIT FACILITY, KINGS BAY 10 2 NARA, REGIONAL RECORDS SERVICES, EAST POINT 3 GSA WAREHOUSE, 2115 4 5 11 MONROE DRIVE, ATLANTA 6 7 8 4 DOBBINS AIR FORCE BASE, MARIETTA 2 3
5 NAS ATLANTA & GEORGIA AIR 12 24 25 RESERVE, MARIETTA 6 HHS/CDC, ATLANTA 23 7 HHS/CDC PUBLICATIONS WAREHOUSE, CHAMBLEE 8 INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, 20 TUCKER 13 21 9 UNICOR FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, ATLANTA 22 10 USDA/FS, CHATTAHOOCHEE NF, GAINESVILLE 11 VETERANS AFFAIRS HOSPITAL, ATLANTA 14 12 GSA/FSS SOUTHEAST DISTRIBUTION FACILITY, 16 17 PALMETTO 18 19 1 13 US ARMY INFANTRY CENTER, FORT BENNING 15 14 USDA, CARTER PLANT MATLS FACILITY, AMERICUS 15 FEMA/GSA FACILITY, THOMASVILLE 19 USAF DISTRIBUTION DEPOT, ALBANY 16 COE/USAF, 204 WELCH ST, SYLVESTER 20 USDA, SE NUT RESEARCH FACILITY, BYRON 17 DEFENSE DISTRIBUTION DEPOT, ALBANY 21 WARNER ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE 18 USMC LOGISITICS BASE, FLT SUPPORT CTR, ALBANY 22 WARNER ROBINS DRMO 23 PEP BOYS WAREHOUSE, MCDONOUGH 24 FORD PARTS DISTRIBUTION CENTER, MCDONOUGH 25 FORT GILLEM
75 Georgia
1. U.S. Navy, Trident Refit Facility, Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay, GA Point of Contact: Fred S. Culvyhouse, Captain, SC, USN Phone Number: (912) 673-2925 ext. 9740
Excess Personal Property E-mail: GSA Warehouse, Atlanta, GA [email protected] Square Footage: 285,000 SQ. FT. The warehouse and distribution operation of the Supply Department at TRIREFFAC serves and supports all the tenant activities for the entire submarine base (10 Trident submarines, United Kingdom submarines and various other customers). The majority of the materials stocked are mission specific. Of the eight warehouses, the two largest utilize automated storage systems for binnable items which make up approximately 55% of the items stocked. The remaining 45% are bulk materials.
76 Georgia
2. 3. National Archives GSA Warehouse, and Records 2115 Monroe Drive, Administration Atlanta, GA (NARA), Office of Point of Contact: Regional Records Joel Pederson, GSA Services, Southeast Region, East Point, GA Phone Number: (404) 562-0053 Point of Contact: E-mail: James McSweeney [email protected] Phone Number: Square Footage: (404) 763-7438 10,000 SQ. FT. E-mail: This warehouse is leased and used [email protected] by GSA. The space is currently Square Footage: being used to store large display and slow moving office supply 221,000 SQ. FT. items. The NARA, Southeast Region facility has holdings in excess of 1.3 million cubic feet of records, including 72,000 cubic feet of historically valuable permanent records. NARA provides records storage and reference services for Federal agencies in the Southeast Region and provides workshops and reference services to members of academic, genealogical, archival and research communities. This warehouse was built as a World War II Army supply depot.
Record Storage NARA, Regional Record Services, East Point, GA
77 Georgia
4. 5. 6. Dobbins Air Force Naval Air Station, HHS/CDC, 4998C South Base, Marietta, GA Atlanta & Georgia Air Royal Atlanta Pkwy, Point of Contact: Reserve, Marietta, GA Atlanta, GA Linda McEver Point of Contact: Point of Contact: Phone Number: Linda McEver Pat Fisher (770) 919-4809 Phone Number: Phone Number: E-mail: (770) 919-4809 (770) 723-7081 [email protected] E-mail: E-mail: Square Footage: [email protected] [email protected] 107,000 SQ. FT. Square Footage: Square Footage: The primary mission of this base is 160,000 SQ. FT. 65,000 SQ. FT. to service and support the C-130 The Naval Reserves use “Hangar This GSA leased facility is the aircraft. The warehouse operation 838” as a storage building which is Health and Human Services, supplies the entire base, including co-utilized by the Marines. The Centers for Disease Control’s items formerly provided at the base Marines use one part of the hangar (CDC’s) largest warehouse in supply store which closed last year. to store supplies required to build Atlanta, GA. The warehouse The warehouse uses moveable an airfield facility close to a supports CDC field operations shelving to consolidate space and has battlefront. Other areas of the relating to contagion research. an automated high-density storage hangar store trucks, tanks, etc., Because of security concerns at the area for small parts. The ware- that require quick deployment. CDC, the warehouse is responsible housed inventory has a turnover rate for the receipt and shipping of all of three to four times per year. CDC addressed items.
HHS/CDC Publication Storage and Shipping Warehouse, Chamblee, GA
78 Georgia
7. 8. 9. HHS/CDC Internal Revenue UNICOR Federal Publication Warehouse, Service, 2650 Button Prison Industries/ 1275 Oak Brook Dr., Gwinnett Rd., Federal Prison, Chamblee, GA Tucker, GA Atlanta, GA Point of Contact: Point of Contact: Point of Contact: Pat Fisher Don Maloney Robert Turner Phone Number: Phone Number: Phone Number: (770) 723-7081 (770) 446-3767 (404) 635-5410 E-mail: E-mail: E-mail: [email protected] None Available [email protected] Square Footage: Square Footage: Square Footage: 26,000 SQ. FT. 64,000 SQ. FT. 300,000 SQ. FT. This is a GSA leased warehouse This GSA leased warehouse stores UNICOR’s main warehouse was used by CDC to receive and stock paper supplies, IRS forms, and built approximately seven years its publications. This facility has items that are going through the ago. This modern facility has the capability to produce copies of excess process, including a large HVAC, 20-foot high ceilings, three- publications using high speed, high amount of furniture. phase electricity, and a 25,000 lbs. quality reproduction technology. capacity elevator. This warehouse This warehouse operation is supports the assembly of responsible for shipment of the mattresses, DOD uniforms, and publications using a computer USPS mailbag repair. maintained mailing list.
Outdoor Equipment Storage USDA/FS Chattahoochee, Gainesville, GA
79 Georgia
10. 11. 12. USDA/FS, Department of GSA/FSS, Southeast Chattahoochee Veterans Affairs Distribution Facility, National Forest, Hospital, Atlanta, GA Palmetto, GA Gainesville, GA Point of Contact: Point of Contact: Point of Contact: Ron Coleman Elmer Campbell Mike Ferguson Phone Number: Phone Number: Phone number: (404) 235-3066 (770) 463-6020 (770) 287-9771 E-mail: E-mail: E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Not Available Square Footage: Square Footage: Square Footage: 22,000 SQ. FT. 1,334,000 SQ. FT. 50,000 SQ. FT. This warehouse is located in the This warehouse and distribution This facility supports and facilitates basement of the VA hospital. Due operation is highly mechanized and the operations in the Chattahoochee to the hospital’s mission, the uses conveyor systems, gravity flow and Oconee National Forests. warehouse includes “clean room” racks, and an extensive range of Covered storage and warehouse space to store sterile surgical stock. automation. The facility was built areas store vehicles, equipment, and The operating room storage area with a towveyor system, which is no supplies in a “work yard” setting. has a sterilization center for longer in operation due to surgical instruments, with an downsizing of the overall elevator to the operating room. distribution program. Space is to be made available at this location for possible occupancy by NARA, currently located in East Point, Georgia.
Conveyor Delivery System GSA/FSS, Palmetto, GA
80 Georgia
13. 14. 15. U.S. Army USDA, Jimmy Carter FEMA/GSA Facility, Infantry Center, Plant Materials Thomasville, GA Fort Benning, GA Facility, Americus, GA Point of Contact: Point of Contact: Point of Contact: Rhonda Collins, GSA Irma Davis Malcolm Kirkland Phone Number: Phone Number: Phone number: (912) 225-4608 (757) 727-2576/2560 (912) 924-4499 E-mail: E-mail: E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] None Available Square Footage: Square Footage: Square footage: 33,000 SQ. FT. 1,101,000 SQ. FT. 26,000 SQ. FT. FEMA has two buildings at this Fort Benning is a major U.S. Army This facility was established in 1936 location. The first building is a troop deployment center. The and is located on about 300 acres of 3,600 sq. ft. steel butler building warehousing mission of this base is land. Research on plants for water that stores rolls of wire and to provide clothing and gear to the quality and/or soil erosion is emergency deployment items. This men and women in the U.S. Army. performed here. The storage needs warehouse is set up in a drive- Every week, Fort Benning supplies at this location relate to outdoor through configuration. The second 50-150 people with full outfit gear. work and equipment. building is a World War II vintage Fort Benning has recently built a warehouse that is used for long- 50,000 sq. ft. warehouse to term storage of maintenance and accommodate heavy troop supply hard to find items. GSA also deployment. This warehouse has occupies a similar World War II the capability to install computer vintage building for the storage of workstations anywhere in the plumbing items and office furniture. Warehousing warehouse. The overhead doors allow several deployment activities U.S. Army Infantry Center, to take place simultaneously. Fort Benning, GA
81 Georgia
16. 17. 18. COE/USAF, Defense Distribution Marine Corps 204 East Front Street, Depot, Albany, GA Logistics Base, Fleet Sylvester, GA Point of Contact: Support Center (FSC), Albany, GA Point of Contact: Nora S. Huete, Gerald Mann, Corps of Engineers Lieutenant Colonel, USMC, Point of Contact: Commander Phone Number: Rodney J. Jarvis, Phone Number: Lt. Colonel, USMC, Director, (912) 652-5032 Fleet Support Center (912) 439-5801 E-mail: Phone Number: E-mail: [email protected] (912) 439-5880 [email protected] Square Footage: E-mail: Square Footage: 42,000 SQ. FT. [email protected] 1,877,000 SQ. FT. This COE facility is leased for the Square Footage: Air Force and located near the This DLA depot provides complete Albany, Georgia, Marine Corps warehousing and distribution 1,791,000 SQ. FT. services to the co-located Marine Base. This is a steel butler building This operation is one of the largest Corps Logistic Base, Albany, GA that is presently storing tent and supply operations on the East (MCLB) and other DOD customers related equipment for deployment Coast. Some of the buildings that worldwide. The depot has two and field use. Upon issuance of house the warehouse operation are state-of-the-art storage facilities for these items, they will not be constructed of concrete. This Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) and restocked. COE has indicated that facility has a large amount of open hazardous materials storage. Other this warehouse is currently under a land acreage used for long-term inventory includes clothing, textiles, month-to-month lease agreement parking of tanks, jeeps, portable protective wear, combat and and that the Air Force plans to bridges, etc., that are maintained military vehicle components, reuse the facility for a yet to be and ready for deployment. To electronics, radiological equipment, determined purpose. extend the shelf life and period and weapons components. The until re-inspection of the stored covered storage facilities include 12 items, many of the buildings are warehouses constructed entirely of dehumidified. Also, where feasible, concrete. the Marines are using shrink-wrap plastic to protect and extend the useful life of vehicles and other machinery stored in the open parking areas.
82 Georgia
19. 20. 21. U.S. Air Force USDA, SE Nut Warner Robins Air Distribution Depot, Research Facility, Force Base, GA Albany, GA Byron, GA Point of Contact: Point of Contact: Point of Contact: Carlos Fagundo Staff Sargent Callahan Jack Ellis Phone Number: Phone Number: Phone Number: (912) 926-5820 ext.104 (912) 439-5957 (706) 546-3575 E-mail: E-mail: E-mail: [email protected] Not Available [email protected] Square Footage: Square Footage: Square Footage: 3,748,000 SQ. FT. 80,000 SQ. FT. 23,000 SQ. FT. Warner Robins has a very large This warehouse is on the U.S. This research facility studies pecan warehouse facility. This Air Force Marine Corps military base at and peach trees. Many of the items Base storage facility supplies and Albany, Georgia. The warehouse is are stored under equipment supports the C-130, C-141, B-1, C-5, used to store aircraft revetments overhangs and in a steel butler F-15 aircraft, and local base. (steel protection and covering for building. Items stored include However, because of issues aircraft). This warehouse and pesticides, greenhouse supplies, and associated with the A-76 study, DLA outside storage area also functions hazardous wastes. would not permit the SWING team as a depot for large items that to visit the majority of its require specialized repair or warehouse space. The Civil maintenance. Engineering maintenance warehouse that provides maintenance support for the base was visited. Building materials made up the biggest component of stored materials in this warehouse.
High Density Storage Unit NAS Atlanta, Marietta, GA
83 Georgia
22. 23. Warner Robins DRMO, PEP Boys Regional Warner Robins Air Distribution Force Base, GA Warehouse, Point of Contact: McDonough, GA Ann Williams Point of Contact: Phone Number: John Monroe, Plant Manager (912) 926-1110 Phone Number: E-mail: (770) 957-7337 annwilliams E-mail: @warnernt-ex.drms.dla.mil Not Available Square Footage: Square Footage: 38,000 SQ. FT. 400,000 SQ. FT. This is a large DRMO operation PEP BOYS is a 75-year-old that is responsible for receiving and company that sells automobile disposing of government equipment related parts and supplies. This Tire Storage and supplies that are no longer warehouse was built in 1990 and needed. Also, there is a scrap metal uses its 35-foot high ceiling space Pep Boys Regional operation on-site. effectively. The warehouse operates Distribution Warehouse, on “just-in-time” and “real-time” McDonough, GA computer information to ship to 60 stores a day using 20-30 trucks.
84 Georgia
24. 25. FORD Atlanta Parts U. S. Army Base, Distribution Center, Fort Gillem, GA McDonough, GA Point of Contact: Point of Contact: Dao Huynh, Installation Space Gary Rabourn Manager/Industrial Engineer Phone Number: Phone Number: (770) 914-3198 (404) 464-2789 E-mail: E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Square Footage: Square Footage: 500,000 SQ. FT. 3,100,000 SQ. FT. This warehouse operation ships all This warehouse is part of an Ford dealership parts to TN, KY, AAFES facility. This is a new and VA, NC, SC, AL, and MI. Ford very large warehouse that leases the warehouse, but had the consolidated its warehouses for the facility built to its specifications, storage and distribution of products this includes a rail spur that leads to AAFES stores in the northeast. This facility was built with directly into the warehouse for Multi Level Racking bulky parts. This facility also has a connecting entries into four (corner) conveyor and towveyor system in adjoining warehouses. Fort Gillem, GA operation. The warehouse stocks and ships 60,000 separate parts that are worth over $570 million a year.
85 Strategic Storage Needs of the Federal Government
Outside Equipment Storage Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Norris Reservation, Norris, TN
86 Tennessee
1 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, JOHNSON CITY 2 HOLSTON AMMUNITION PLANT, KINGSPORT 3 TVA, SEVIER FOSSIL FUEL PLANT, ROGERSVILLE 4 DOI/NPS, SMOKY MOUNTAINS NP, GATLINBURG 5 TYSON AB, TN NATIONAL GUARD, MCGHEE 6 TVA, NORRIS RESERVATION, NORRIS 7 DOE, OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LAB, OAK RIDGE 8 TVA, HARTSVILLE INVESTMENT RECOVERY CENTER, HARTSVILLE 9 ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TULLAHOMA
6 3 2 8 7 1 5 4 9
10 13 12 11
10 TVA, CHATTANOOGA POWER SERVICE CENTER, CHATTANOOGA 11 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, MEMPHIS 12 NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, MID-SOUTH, MILLINGTON 13 DOI/FWS HATCHIE WILDLIFE REFUGE, HATCHIE
87 Tennessee
1. 2. Department of Holston Army Veterans Affairs, Ammunition Plant, East King Street, Kingsport, TN Johnson City, TN Point of Contact: Point of Contact: Paul Hively Lee Roy Bennett Phone Number: Phone Number: (423) 578-6295 (423) 926-1171 ext.7595 E-mail: E-mail: [email protected] bennett.lee [email protected] Square Footage: Square Footage: 256,000 SQ. FT. 19,000 SQ. FT. The Holston Ammunition Plant is This is a GSA leased facility. This an Army facility that produces warehouse operation has now explosives. The minerals and moved into a new facility adjoining chemicals that are used to produce the VA hospital in Johnson City. the explosives are brought to the The location of the new warehouse site by railroad. Coal, gravel, and eliminates the several mile travel pipes are stored on outside storage lots. The warehouse structures are Steel Frame “C” Racks distance that was encountered when transporting items from the typical World War II wood TVA, John Sevier Fossil Fuel warehouse to the hospital. construction with heavy floor load Plant, Rogersville, TN capacity. This operation and base maintenance has been contracted out since 1942. There are plans for a major renovation to the plant in the near future.
(photo at right) Temporary Storage Sheds Tennessee National Guard, Tyson Air Base, McGhee, TN
88 Tennessee
3. 4. 5. TVA, John Sevier DOI/NPS, Great Smoky Tyson Air Base, Fossil Fuel Plant, Mountains National Tennessee National Rogersville, TN Park, Gatlinburg, TN Guard, McGhee, TN Point of Contact: Point of Contact: Point of Contact: James Lawhon Wayne Newcomb Sargent Harris Huffstetler Phone Number: Phone Number: Phone Number: (423) 717-2071 (423) 436-1278 (423) 985-3340 E-mail: E-mail: E-mail: [email protected] None Available [email protected] Square Footage: Square Footage: Square Footage: 10,000 SQ. FT. 44,000 SQ. FT. 53,000 SQ. FT. The John Sevier Fossil Fuel Plant The warehouse operations consist of The Tennessee National Guard’s is a TVA coal burning electric a warehouse, open storage mission here is to support the 13th generation plant. The warehouse is structures and storage yards for Air Refueling Wing. These aircraft connected to the plant and consists vehicles, boats, and supplies to run refuel other aircraft while in flight. of an upper (street level) and lower the National Park. The storage is The base supply, which was floor with supplies for the spread over several different areas established in 1957, warehouses maintenance shop located on the across the Park. This facility has a everything from “airplane parts to upper floor. The majority of the small office that abuts a steel roofed paper towels.” The warehouse storage is bulky and is located on warehouse building addition. space is very efficient and has a the lower floor. Movement of these high degree of flexibility which is items to and from storage is by accomplished by utilizing high elevator. density storage, special bins for bulk storage, automatic moving shelves, and accordion roller tables.
89 Tennessee
6. 7. TVA, Norris DOE, Oak Ridge Reservation, Norris, TN National Lab, Point of Contact: Oak Ridge, TN Charles Overstreet Point of Contact: Phone Number: Katy Kates (423) 632-3690 Phone Number: E-mail: (423) 576-0977 [email protected] E-mail: Square Footage: [email protected] 132,000 SQ. FT. Square Footage: The Norris Reservation is the site of 13,132,000 SQ. FT. a TVA hydroelectric plant. The The DOE facility consists of three warehouse and storage yard “campuses” (Oak Ridge National supplies the hydroelectric plant and Laboratory, Y-12 Plant, and East water management research. Tennessee Technology Park). The facilities store, protect, handle, recycle, and recover highly enriched uranium, heavy water, plutonium, lithium materials, etc. The methods of storage and warehousing at this location are material specific. Many of the containers were designed for radiation confinement. The original development of this facility included many buildings that are not currently used due to contamination, special use construction, or major renovation needs.
Floor Level And Mezzanine Storage Arnold Air Force Base, Tullahoma, TN
90 Tennessee
8. 9. TVA, Hartsville Arnold Air Force Base, Investment Recovery Tullahoma, TN Center, Hartsville, TN Point of Contact: Point of Contact: Lt. Chris Boone Bill Weeks Phone Number: Phone Number: (931) 454-7077 (256) 314-7452 E-mail: E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Square Footage: Square Footage: 246,000 SQ. FT. 1,200,000 SQ. FT. The mission of this base is aviation This site is the location of the research and support, and storage partially complete Hartsville of the associated research materials. Nuclear Electric Plant. This plant’s Jet engines are studied as well as construction began in 1979 and aerodynamics. Part of the research when the project was canceled in facility includes one of the world’s the early 80’s, construction was largest wind tunnels. The stopped. With this major warehouse is constructed with an investment of infrastructure not overhead crane system to move being used for the purpose that it extremely heavy wind tunnel parts was designed for, TVA turned this and a unique motorized racking site into a major distribution center system. for TVA supplies in 1985.
Bulk Storage Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Hartsville Investment Recovery Center, Hartsville, TN
91 Tennessee
10. 11. 12. TVA, Chattanooga Department of Naval Support Power Service Center, Veterans Affairs, Activity, Mid-South, Chattanooga, TN 2924/2926 Datsun Millington, TN Point of Contact: Drive, Memphis, TN Point of Contact: Bill Weeks Point of Contact: Rodger Aitken Phone Number: Florence Winfield Phone Number: (256) 314-7452 Phone Number: (901) 874-5625 E-mail: (901) 577-7227 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: raitken @navsuppact-midsouth.navy.mil Square Footage: [email protected] Square Footage: 145,000 SQ. FT. Square Footage: 122,000 SQ. FT. The TVA has an electrical 34,000 SQ. FT. laboratory at this location. The This is a GSA leased facility. The The storage function of this base items warehoused at this facility VA stores medical equipment and operation is to provide support for consist of two parts: research supplies in this warehouse. The VA 29 tenant commands, including: laboratory equipment and stock is currently building a new hospital Naval Personnel Command, Navy items for the electrical contractors. on Jefferson Street in Memphis, Recruiting Command, Naval The laboratory and contractor TN. The VA indicated that during Personnel Research and supply operations are located in the “move in period” additional Developmental Center, and the separate buildings. storage space would be required and Corps of Engineers Financial GSA has leased contiguous Center warehouse space to facilitate stocking the new hospital. Tennessee
13. DOI/FWS, Hatchie Wildlife Refuge, Hatchie, TN Point of Contact: Janice Hinsley Phone Number: (901) 772-0501 Veterans Affairs New Warehouse Under Construction E-mail: Department Of Veterans Affairs, [email protected] Johnson City, TN Square Footage: 11,000 SQ. FT. The mission of the Hatchie Wildlife Refuge is to support waterfowl wildlife and to increase its presence. The storage area in this national refuge consists of several equipment overhang structures, an office and workshop building, and a carpentry building.
(photo at left) Typical Wooden WWII Storage Building Naval Support Activity, Mid-South, Millington, TN
93 Strategic Storage Needs of the Federal Government
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH
GSA/FSS, Southwest Regional Distribution Center, Fort Worth, TX
94 Other Locations Visited
Wright-Patterson GSA/FSS, Air Force Base, Southwest Regional Dayton, OH Distribution Center, Point of Contact: Fort Worth, TX Marty Greer, Chief Engineer Point of Contact: Phone Number: Bob Hominick (937) 257-3078 Phone Number: E-mail: (817) 885-6901 [email protected] E-mail: Square Footage: [email protected] Not Applicable Square Footage: The mission at Wright-Patterson is 1,400,000 SQ. FT. to provide engineering and design This distribution center is housed in services for the Air Force’s material a multi-building configuration. handling/warehousing function Currently, FSS is consolidating four worldwide. These Industrial warehouse buildings in an effort to Engineers provide design services streamline and improve the that include warehouse efficiency of its warehouse and reconfiguration, automation, and distribution operations. construction.
95 Strategic Storage Needs of the Federal Government
Nuclear Rated Cable Storage Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Hartsville Investment Recovery Center, Hartsville, TN
96 V. Questionnaire Survey and Synopsis
Questionnaire for Personal Property of SWING
1. How many people are employed at the facility?
2. What is the size of the facility? Open Storage ______Covered Storage ______
3. How many total pieces and tonnage are received during the day/month?
4. How many total line items and tonnage are shipped during the day/month?
5. What are the total dollars sales shipped during day/month?
6. What was your total operating cost for FY 96 and 97?
7. What is your projected operating cost for FY 98 and 99?
8. Are items received checked for descriptions, quantity, and condition at the time of arrival?
9. Is your stock record system automated?
10. Do you perform periodic inventories?
11. Are periodic spot checks conducted to reasonably verify the quantity and condition of the material?
12. How is obsolete inventory handled?
97 V. Questionnaire Survey and Synopsis
13. Do you perform reutilization, transfer, donation and sales functions (RTD&S) at this facility? If no, skip Question 14.
14. How much of your operating cost is attributed to RTD&S programs?
15. Given the list below, please estimate the percentage of personal property disposal outcomes for FY 1997. Disposal Outcomes Approx. Percentage Withdrawn for retention, after initial reporting as excess ...... ______Reused within agency ...... ______Reused within department ...... ______Reused within Federal Government ...... ______Reused/donated through Special Programs ...... ______Donated through State Agencies for Surplus Property ...... ______Sold ...... ______Abandoned/Destroyed ...... ______Total ...... 100%
16. Is your RTD&S program conducted using an automated or manual system?
17. How is your RTD&S program linked to the acquisition programs in your departments and agencies?
18. How do your acquisition systems check for available excess material before proceeding with new acquisitions?
19. What RTD&S policy changes would you recommend to GSA?
98 V. Questionnaire Survey and Synopsis
Strategic Warehousing Inventory Needs Group Real Property Related Questions
1. Facility name and address (including city and county)
2. Facility size:
3. Utilization percentage of the facility being used for storage:
3a. Is this storage need projected to continue over the next 5 years?
3b. Is this active or long-term storage?
3c. Is the inventory storage consistent or fluctuating?
3d. What material is being stored?
4. What material was used in the construction of the facility?
5. Year of construction:
6. Floor load capability:
7. Ceiling height:
7a. Clear ceiling height (stacking height):
8. Technology/automation available within facility:
Conveyor
Rail system
Temperature/humidity control
Fire suppression/sprinkler system
Security system
Loading dock facilities (leveling system)
Truck drive in rail line running through facility
99 V. Questionnaire Survey and Synopsis
9. Method of storage used:
Racks
Pallet stacking
Bulk
Other
10. Could this facility be used/shared with other users:
Federal agencies
Local government
Private sector
As the purpose of this project is to gather information regarding the best practices and lessons learned of warehousing functions, please give a little thought to the following questions and provide as much detail and insight as you can in your responses.
11. What have you observed as the best practices used in warehouse/storage functions at this facility?
12. What are the lessons you have learned during the operations of the warehouse/storage function of this facility?
13. What changes would you suggest in the maintenance, operations, or physical layout of this facility that could improve or enhance its efficiency and effectiveness?
14. Would this facility be more functional if it was located elsewhere on the property?
100 V. Questionnaire Survey and Synopsis
Questionnaire the warehouses hold the excess Synopsis property until another organization within the agency takes the At each site visit a survey package necessary action to dispose of the was given to our local point of property. The surveys reflected that contact. In total, 56 site visits were excess property is often perceived to made, 54 survey packages given be difficult to dispose of, and it is out, and 19 surveys were returned. easier to store the excess items than The SWING team did not provide dispose of them. From the surveys surveys during the site visits at and conversations with the agency Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in representatives it appears that most Dayton, Ohio, or GSA/FSS, of the agencies need an easier way Southwest Regional Distribution to dispose of property as well as Center in Fort Worth, Texas. These additional information on the two site visits were for property disposal process. informational purposes only. Computer Controlled Supply This study encompassed a Systems - A majority of survey tremendous diversity in respondents expressed that warehousing with various sizes of computer-controlled supply systems warehouse operations, locations, provided better inventory control and missions to support. Many of than methods used in the past. Bar the questions on the survey were coding and computer technology is generic to warehousing. Some of more accurate than “keeping the the questions were not pertinent to books by hand.” Computerized every warehousing operation, and supply systems save time, money, not every agency answered every and FTE. question. The returned surveys Radio Frequency (RF) provided specific information on the Technology - The private sector warehouse structures, number of companies, and some Federal items handled, type of storage agencies, noted how important RF performed, and candid insights of technology is during our discussions current warehousing issues and and on their surveys. RF practices. Many of these insights technology facilitates real time were used to compose the connectivity that is essential for the recommendations and were an speed needed in warehousing today. important component of this report. When an item is bar coded in the Some of the main issues that were warehouse, the RF technology presented in the returned surveys transmits the bar code information are: to a main computer which updates the inventory and makes the The Disposal of Personal information available to the entire Property - Almost all of the surveys warehouse organization. addressed the issue of personal property disposal. Many agency Configuration for Efficient representatives are unaware of an Warehousing - Some of the established mechanism for the surveys stressed the importance of disposal of excess property. Many of proper configuration in which high
101 V. Questionnaire Survey and Synopsis
reaching pallet storage racks and provider then maintains the larger narrow aisle configurations make inventory rather than the Federal the most efficient storage operation. agency. The money saved by not This is best accomplished with an carrying extra inventory is very automated storage system. Some of substantial and justifies using the the respondents commented that by system. grouping similar items together, the Consolidate/Get Rid of Zero or entire warehousing operation Low Demand Items - Several becomes more efficient. Also, agencies stated that one of their storing active materials nearest to best practices has been to the receiving area and the delivery consolidate personal property and function expedites warehouse get rid of zero demand items. By processes. reviewing the demand criterion Equipment Maintenance - Many quarterly or biannually, warehouse agencies noted problems with cubic space can be optimized. The proper maintenance on the use of computers and associated warehouse equipment and facility. tracking systems enables an Time is money. Having in-house organization to track hits on stored personnel (FTE or contract support) items to determine need and is a must to ensure an efficient necessity to hold in storage. warehouse operation. Just-In-Time System - The most progressive survey answer was regarding the concept of “just-in- time” warehousing. The concept associated with yesterday’s warehousing was to buy a large amount of an item, and store it until the inventory was used. The money saved by a lower price was so great that it outweighed the cost of storing the item. The concept of today’s warehousing is “just-in-time” warehousing in which items are ordered just before they are needed. Instead of carrying 1,000 items of which three items are used in a year, only three items would be ordered, just before the customer needs them. Use of the “just-in-time” system reduces labor costs, inventory in the warehouse by millions of dollars, and amount of space needed to fulfill warehouse obligations. The
102 VI. Additional Sources of Information
any organizations are from the study of comparable available to provide private sector businesses. information on M In addition to the above contact warehousing, material handling points, the following information is equipment, and information provided to assist in obtaining systems. Information is provided GSA/FSS material for the purchase through industry shows, magazines, of office and office related supplies: professional societies, and classroom instruction. Following are some of GSA Advantage - electronic the organizations that provide shopping method for Government information related to the supplies provided by FSS. GSA warehousing field: Advantage can be accessed through the Internet at http://www.gsa.gov, National Supply Chain Exposition accepts IMPAC Card payment, and Conference (industry shows): offers direct shipment of large www.nawdec.com orders directly from the vendor. ProMat (industry shows): GSA - Customer Supply Centers www.mhia.org offer mail order service, accept Modern Material Handling Government Purchase Card (magazine): www.mmh.com payment, and offer direct shipment of large orders directly from the Warehousing Management vendor. Catalogs can be obtained (magazine): by contacting the Centralized www.warehousemag.com Mailing List Service (CMLS) at Material Handling Engineering (817) 334-5215 and using code 5-7- (magazine): www.mhesource.com 00010. A Customer Supply Center catalog (a smaller version of the Council of Logistics Management supply catalog) can also be obtained (professional society & seminars): using the same phone number and www.clm1.org code 5-9-00005. Additionally, Warehousing Education & Research requests for catalogs can be faxed Council (professional society & using (817) 334-5227. The Internet seminars): www.werc.org address for the CMLS, through which catalogs can be ordered, is Georgia Tech Logistics Institute [email protected]. (professional education courses): tli.isye.gatech.edu Tompkins Associates (seminars): www.tompkinsinc.com/events Contacting private sector firms that warehouse and/or distribute similar inventory can provide additional information. Ideas for organizing warehouses, space requirements, material handling equipment, and storage techniques can be gained
103 Strategic Storage Needs of the Federal Government
Overhead Crane Arnold Air Force Base, Tullahoma, TN
104 Publication Survey
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105 First Class Mail Postage & Fees Paid GSA Permit No. G-30
General Services Administration Office of Real Property (MPE) Office of Governmentwide Policy 1800 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20405 (top to bottom)
Typical WWII Storage Facility, GSA/FEMA Thomasville, GA
Moving Shelf Storage System, Dobbins Air Force Base, Marietta, GA
Gravity Flow Pallet Lanes, GSA/FSS Distribution Facility, Palmetto, GA