Installation leaders across the country are working to repair and sustain facilities. On Base talked with Sourcewell CEO Chad Coauette about what that means for modernization and quality of life.
ADC: Looking across hundreds of requests submitted through Sourcewell’s Military Support Program, have you noticed any emerging trends related to facilities?
Coauette: Yes. Since 2023, we’ve received more than 1,600 task order requests across the Army, Army Reserve and Department of the Navy. More than 430 of those requests have been focused on facility-related needs.
The requests tell a clear story: installations across the country are actively working through decades of deferred maintenance and aging infrastructure. We’ve been able to evaluate common themes. We’ve received more than 300 HVAC, 100 roofing, and 60 plumbing and water system projects. This isn’t a collection of isolated projects. Those numbers show great momentum and are a reflection of the broader effort to repair, sustain and modernize the facilities where service members live, work and train.
ADC: Beyond the specific projects themselves, what do infrastructure investments tell us about the priorities for leaders today?
Coauette: Infrastructure is often viewed as a facilities issue, but it’s really a people issue. The condition of barracks, training facilities and support buildings directly affect service members and their families.
What these investments tell us is that leaders are focused on two things: taking care of people and maintaining readiness. They’re prioritizing projects that improve quality of life while ensuring the infrastructure needed to support the mission remains reliable and resilient.
Remediating mold in barracks is one of the many ways we’ve come alongside our military partners to support quality-of-life initiatives. It’s a powerful reminder that procurement isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about making a tangible difference in the daily lives of those who serve. We’re seeing directly how IGSAs can serve as a force multiplier, helping teams accomplish more with the resources they already have.
ADC: What have these projects taught you about how installations are approaching modernization and infrastructure challenges today?
Coauette: One thing we’ve learned is that installation leaders are looking for ways to move critical projects forward more quickly and efficiently. The infrastructure challenges are well understood. The question is often how to deliver solutions at the speed and scale required.
What stands out is the emphasis on reducing timelines without sacrificing outcomes. We’ve seen projects move from scope development to proposal in as little as six weeks. In one case, a critical chiller replacement was scoped, priced, approved and ultimately completed more than two months ahead of schedule. Those kinds of results matter when installations are managing aging infrastructure and balancing competing priorities.
Across the military, we’re seeing leaders focus on finding practical ways to address facility sustainment and quality-of-life improvements, while making the most of available resources. That’s where additional tools and partnerships can help teams accomplish more and keep important projects moving forward.
