Five contractors invited to submit design-build proposals for museum's fourth building Published Aug. 7, 2013 By Rob Bardua National Museum of the U.S. Air Force DAYTON, Ohio -- The second phase of the Request for Proposals (RFP) process is now being solicited for the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force's fourth building by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District. In May 2013, contractors were able to submit their qualifications during Phase I. A source selection evaluation board was conducted, which evaluated each of the received proposals. Five contractors were selected and are now invited to present their design-build proposals by Oct. 2. The five contractors are: The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. of Greenbelt, Md.; M.A. Mortenson Construction of Minneapolis; Turner Construction Co. of Washington, D.C.; Hensel Phelps of Chantilly, Va.; and Archer Western/Butt Construction (JV) of Chicago. Current plans call for the construction contract to be awarded in late 2013, construction to begin in 2014, and be completed in the summer of 2015. The museum will then begin populating the building in the fall until all exhibits are completed. A public opening is currently scheduled for late 2015. The ultimate goal is a 224,000 square foot building which would be in similar size and shape to the museum's three existing hangars. The initial size, however, will be determined by the potential contractor bids and amount of funds available from the Air Force Museum Foundation. Aircraft in the fourth building will include President Kennedy's Air Force One and those from the Presidential Gallery; the XB-70 as well as many from the Research and Development (R&D) Gallery; the Crew Compartment Trainer Space Shuttle exhibit along with an expanded Space Gallery; and select global reach planes. According to Museum Director Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jack Hudson, the new building will provide the museum with greater educational outreach opportunities. "Educating the public about military aviation is a primary mission of the museum, and the fourth building will play a significant role in our ability to tell the Air Force story," said Hudson. "With this new facility, we'll be able to provide greater public understanding and appreciation for the Air Force's role as an integrated air, space and cyberspace force, and provide new science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning opportunities for visitors of all ages and especially our youth." The National Museum of the United States Air Force is located on Springfield Street, six miles northeast of downtown Dayton. It is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). Admission and parking are free. For more information about the museum, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil. NOTE TO PUBLIC: For more information, please contact the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at (937) 255-3286. NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information, please contact Rob Bardua at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Public Affairs Division at (937) 255-1386.