When Navy Federal Credit Union executives realized they needed to expand their call center operations, they chose Pensacola, FL as a new
location. There, they have a 52-acre campus that will include 640,000 sq. ft.
of office space throughout four buildings - all LEED® certified. They chose
Comfort Systems USA - Southeast to be their mechanical/ HVAC contractor
for the project. The CSUSA team:
Was recommended as the sole selection by the General Contractor
Established Gross Maximum Price arrangement where 100% of savings is returned to owner upon completion
Installed systems that have improved the work environment, reduciing employee turnover from 60% to 17% annually
The Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) needed to expand their call center operations with a primary objective to reduce the 60% annual turnover rate for telephone operators. NCFU came up with the simple philosophy: Healthy employees equal healthy business, and therefore decided to create a "green" environment using construction practices to achieve LEED Gold certification.
This project has four milestones, one for each building, with three completed so far and a total mechanical/HVAC systems contract value of $27,480,859.
Comfort Systems USA - Southeast provided a package outlining their credentials, proposed management approach and a fee structure. Upon being awarded the work, CSUSA Southeast provided their mechanical services on a cost plus fee basis, establishing a good practice where 100% of savings is returned to owner.
The mechanical system includes a 1600-ton central energy plant with two 600-ton and one 300-ton centrifugal chillers and associated cooling towers with pumping. Chilled water is distributed via pre-insulated underground piping connecting the plant to each of the three new buildings and one existing building. Building HVAC systems include
energy recovery units distributing air via a pressurized floor plenum to the open call center areas and via a traditional overhead variable air volume system for offices.
