WASHINGTON, March 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced today that it is fully implementing the Government Accountability Office's recommendations for the future construction of the new Martin Army Community Hospital at Fort Benning, Ga.

On September 28, 2009, USACE awarded a design-build contract for the replacement of the Martin Army Community Hospital to Turner Construction Company, Inc., of Huntsville, Ala.  Turner's design partner was Ellerbe Becket of New York, NY.  On February 16, the GAO sustained two protests against the award of this contract, finding two organizational conflicts of interest.  The GAO recommended that Turner Construction Company, Inc. and Ellerbe Becket be eliminated from the competition and that the Corps make a new award determination.

Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp, USACE commander and Head of the Contracting Activity, decided that the Corps will implement the recommendations and will make a new award determination following discussions with the remaining phase II offerors.

The USACE's Savannah District notified Turner Construction to suspend work on February 26 following the release of the GAO decisions.

The Savannah District will now determine a timeline for the award of a new contract for the hospital's construction.

USACE and the U.S. Army Medical Command will continue to closely work together to develop interim strategies that will ensure Fort Benning's Soldiers and their families are provided with high quality healthcare during construction of the new Martin Army Community Hospital.  These strategies include maximizing clinical space in the hospital, upgrading hospital infrastructure, leveraging network providers, and opening four new health clinics.

SOURCE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers