Savings Possible through Further Design Standardization of Bachelor Enlisted Quarters

Within statutory cost and Department of Defense (DOD) space limits, the military services generally have been free, and encouraged, to develop bachelor housing concepts and designs to suit their requirements and preferences. As a result, each service has developed one or more basic housing concepts to meet its needs, and there are seven basic concepts used today.

Housing provided by the services is comparable in quality, but there are significant variations in costs for construction, architecture, and engineering, and differences in energy efficiency. The basic architecture was the chief factor affecting construction cost and energy efficiency. When standardized plans were used and adapted for local conditions, design costs generally were lower. Further standardization of designs could significantly reduce future housing costs. For every 2,500 spaces built, future construction costs could be reduced up to $1 million by use of the most economical design throughout the service. DOD opposes further standardization, maintaining that flexibility is needed to meet varying geographical and individual requirements. These objections could be met, and greater standardization is warranted. Present statutory limits on cost and space have not always been met, and controls have not all been sufficiently effective in promoting economy and efficiency.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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