Office of Construction and Facilities Management

Definition

The Office of Construction and Facilities Management (OCFM) is a branch within the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Its primary function is to handle planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of VA facilities. This includes overseeing infrastructure projects and ensuring that facilities adhere to both legal requirements and the VA’s mission to provide veterans with the highest quality care and services.

Key Takeaways

1. The Office of Construction and Facilities Management (OCFM) is responsible for planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining the facilities and infrastructure for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
2. OCFM helps the VA provide world-class services and support to veterans, their families, and their caregivers by investing in modern facilities and infrastructure improvements.
3. OCFM supports sustainability, energy conservation, and cost efficiency in its projects and upholds the high quality and safety standards required for VA facilities.

Importance

The VA benefits term: Office of Construction and Facilities Management (OCFM) is important primarily because it oversees the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the facilities intended to serve the healthcare and benefit needs of veterans in the United States.

This office ensures that these facilities are built efficiently, sustainably, and in accordance with the strict guidelines to meet the specific requirements of the veterans they serve.

Additionally, OCFM plays an essential role in managing partnerships and contracts with designers, engineers, and construction companies, which ultimately ensures the timely and cost-effective delivery of high-quality infrastructure for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

This commitment to excellence positively impacts the quality of life and necessary support systems for our nation’s veterans.

Explanation

The Office of Construction and Facilities Management (CFM) is an essential component within the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that serves as a driving force in the improvement and modernization of healthcare facilities for veterans. With a strong commitment towards the well-being of the brave men and women who have served the nation, CFM’s primary purpose is to deliver state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, which in turn, directly impacts the quality and effectiveness of healthcare services being provided to the veterans.

By focusing on high-quality and high-performing infrastructure, the CFM ensures that the healthcare services veterans receive are both sustainable and adaptable to the latest technological advancements, giving them the best possible care. In order to fulfill its purpose, the CFM is responsible for the planning, design, and construction of major VA projects, which includes the management of real property assets as well as environmental and energy programs.

No detail is overlooked in the pursuit of creating an efficient and patient-centric environment; this applies to both the physical structures built and the resource management strategies employed. The CFM collaboratively works with other VA offices, stakeholders, and industry partners to maintain the highest standards in planning, sustainability, and innovation.

Ultimately, the role of the Office of Construction and Facilities Management within the VA benefits realm is to create and maintain healthcare spaces conducive to the efficient delivery of top-quality services and support for veterans and their families.

Examples of Office of Construction and Facilities Management

The VA Benefits term “Office of Construction and Facilities Management” (CFM) is responsible for the planning, design, construction, and real estate acquisition for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. Here are three real-world examples of the projects they have undertaken:VA Medical Center New Orleans Replacement Facility: The construction of the new facility was initiated in 2013 and completed in

The new medical center replaced the previous one that was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina. It includes a6 million square foot, 200-bed hospital, a 30-bed spinal cord injury center, a 60-bed community living center, and an outpatient clinic. The project aimed to provide state-of-the-art healthcare services to veterans residing in the Gulf Coast region.

VA Fort Worth Outpatient Clinic: CFM oversaw the construction and opening of the VA Fort Worth Outpatient Clinic inThis 204,000-square-foot facility serves more than 100,000 veterans in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The clinic includes primary care, mental health, audiology, eye care, dental, physical therapy, and other specialty services.

Huntington Beach VA Clinic: The VA Long Beach Healthcare System announced the opening of the new Huntington Beach VA Clinic in JulyThe clinic replaces an older, smaller facility to provide expanded services, including primary care, mental health, and telehealth services, to veterans in the coastal Orange County area. CFM was responsible for the planning, design, and construction of this clinic to better serve the growing veteran population in Southern California.These examples demonstrate the role of the Office of Construction and Facilities Management in ensuring that the VA can provide high-quality healthcare services to veterans in modern and efficient facilities.

FAQ: Office of Construction and Facilities Management

What is the Office of Construction and Facilities Management?

The Office of Construction and Facilities Management (CFM) is a part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that oversees the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of VA facilities. This includes managing healthcare facility infrastructure and ensuring a safe, secure, and efficient environment for veterans to receive care.

What services does the Office of Construction and Facilities Management provide?

CFM provides a range of services related to VA facility management, including planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operations. These services include project management, engineering support, facility assessment, environmental compliance, sustainability, historic preservation, and energy management, among others.

How does the Office of Construction and Facilities Management support veterans?

CFM plays a vital role in ensuring that veterans have access to high-quality healthcare facilities that are safe, efficient, and properly maintained. By overseeing the construction and maintenance of these facilities, CFM helps to ensure that veterans’ healthcare needs are met in a timely and effective manner.

How can I find information on current VA construction projects?

You can find information on current VA construction projects by visiting the CFM website at https://www.va.gov/CFM/. You can also reach out to your local VA facility for information on specific construction projects in your area.

How does the Office of Construction and Facilities Management ensure sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in VA facility construction and maintenance?

CFM is committed to sustainable building practices. This includes implementing energy-efficient design, utilizing renewable energy sources, conserving water, and minimizing waste. They also work to ensure VA facilities comply with environmental laws and regulations, and consistently seek out opportunities for improvement in sustainability and environmental performance.

Related VA Benefit Terms

• Building Design and Consultation
• Facility Modernization and Maintenance
• Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Programs
• Capital Asset Management
• Project and Contract Oversight

Sources for More Information

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Construction & Facilities Management
• Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
• California Department of Veterans Affairs
• TexVet: Reliable Information for Texas Veterans