Ruppersberger and Team Maryland Applaud Contract to Build “Center of Excellence” at APG

(Washington, D.C.)- Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), Senator Barbara Mikulski, and Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) applauded the announcement by the Army Corps of Engineers that it has awarded the design and build contract for the C4ISR Joint Center of Excellence at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) in Harford County, Md.  This is a critical first step in the closing of Fort Monmouth, New Jersey and the transition to APG, in accordance with the recommendations of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission.

The BRAC Commission designated APG as the C4ISR Center of Excellence to develop the tools and weapons that will give America's soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines the technological edge in the global war on terror and on the battlefields of tomorrow.  Team Maryland fought for the funding for this project in the fiscal year 2007 emergency supplemental spending bill.  An additional $245 million has been approved by both the House and Senate in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs 2008 spending bill.

"This move is another example of the Army and Maryland's commitment to Aberdeen Proving Ground and the military personnel who will be moving here from Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.  BRAC is about strengthening the security of our nation.  Team Maryland is committed to ensuring a smooth and orderly transition as we work to keep our country safe," said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).    

"This contract takes us a concrete step forward in our successful implementation of the BRAC Commission's decision.  The recommendations were based on mission, merit and what is best for the nation as a whole," said Senator Mikulski (D-MD), Chair of the Maryland congressional delegation.  "As we move forward, Team Maryland will continue to ensure that APG and its surrounding community have the resources they need to accommodate the anticipated new growth."

"The announcement is an affirmation that the consolidation of the Army's C4ISR mission at a Center of Excellence at Aberdeen Proving Ground is right on schedule," said Senator Cardin (D-MD).  "The BRAC Commission determined that the creation of this facility would enhance the Army's mission in the 21st Century.  Maryland will continue to support the Army in ensuring an efficient and timely transition to the new Center of Excellence."

Staff from the members' offices met with U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC) representatives in August and received a briefing on AMC's step-by-step timeline for moving assets into Maryland and a detailed funding plan to support these moves while ensuring no disruption in support for the war fighter.

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