YOKOSUKA, Japan— Naval Facilities Engineering Command Far East awarded a $23 million contract for grounds maintenance at United States Marine Corps facilities across Okinawa, Japan Sept. 24.
"The grounds maintenance contract provides a service integral to the readiness and the ability to deploy USMC service members,” said Facilities and Acquisition Division Camp Butler Director Lt. Cmdr. Brad Coleman. “This contract ensures flight operations can continue on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. It minimizes wild fire hazards on the weapons ranges and provides set-back clearance for our perimeter fences. Uncontrolled grass harbors rodents which attract deadly habu snakes, it inhibits marines from performing tactical infantry maneuvers or ceremonial exercises, and it eventually dies which compromises the stability of the steep hills on base."
Work includes lawn care, mowing and trimming, edging, vegetation control, debris removal, shrub and hedge maintenance, plant bed and tree maintenance, and storm drainage systems cleaning. The contract is necessary to maintain prestige, improved, semi-improved, and unimproved grounds located at Marine Corps facilities throughout Northern and Southern Okinawa.
The $23,250,555 contract was awarded to FUJI Construction Co., Ltd. for a base period of six months plus four 12-month options.