By PACHARI MIDDLETON Anniston Army Depot
ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. – A new chapter in the modernization of Anniston Army Depot began with the kickoff of a massive facilities modernization effort Sept. 1 under the FORGE (Facilities, Operations, Readiness, Growth and Experience) program. A landmark Other Transaction Authority, valued at $986.97 million with an initial obligation of $658.17 million, was awarded to Brasfield & Gorrie to strengthen ANAD’s infrastructure while directly supporting its transformation as a critical component of the Army’s Organic Industrial Base.
“Other Transaction Authorities give the MICC and our mission partners the flexibility to engage industry differently, encourage innovation and dramatically reduce acquisition timelines,” said Brig. Gen. Freddy Adams, commanding general of the Mission and Installation Contracting Command. “These innovative contracting practices allow MICC to deliver more effective contracting solutions at the speed of relevance in direct support of the warfighter, Army transformation and Army readiness.”
The Mission and Installation Contracting Command, a subordinate contracting organization to Army Contracting Command under Army Materiel Command, oversees the procurement process for FORGE.
Supporting this effort, the U.S. Army awarded a $60.1 million Architect-Engineer contract to GM Hill-Baker JV, which will provide technical design, project management and quality assurance for ANAD’s FY26 modernization portfolio.
The kickoff event at Anniston Sept. 1-2 was the first time all involved parties met to discuss the path forward.
The initiative brings together four critical military construction projects and 19 consolidated repair and maintenance projects under a single transformational approach.
For Anniston Army Depot, the scale represents a significant expansion from last year, when the depot had just three consolidated R&M projects.
“This is a historic moment for Anniston Army Depot. Since its construction began in 1941, we have never seen this level of construction and modernization happening simultaneously on this installation," said Col. Charles Moore, Anniston Army Depot commander. “FORGE represents a generational investment in our infrastructure and lays the foundation for the next generation of readiness.”
The FORGE program accelerates critical MILCON and repair projects to deliver modernized facilities to the warfighter at the “speed of need.” Anniston Army Depot is one of two locations currently piloting the program.
The approach reflects the Army’s broader push to transform its Organic Industrial Base from maintenance-focused facilities into a modern industrial enterprise capable of responding to the demands of competition and conflict.
The timing of the FORGE kickoff also builds on recent modernization already visible across the installation. In May, the depot celebrated the completion of a $44 million 34,000-square foot climate-controlled combat vehicle welding facility that depot leadership described as a tangible example of OIB modernization in action.
The FORGE event marks the beginning of a five-year effort, but its objective is long-term: build a depot that is not only modernized but better positioned to serve as a strategic industrial engine for the Army in the years ahead.