Optimal selection of Army military construction projects

Abstract

The Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management (ACSIM) manages all Army military construction (MILCON) implementation and requests. Annually, the ACSIM submits a prioritized list of MILCON projects requiring Congressional approval. Typically, Congress does not approve all Army requests. This thesis develops an integer linear program, PESA (Project Evaluation and Selection Assistant), to assist the ACSIM evaluate and select the best set of MILCON projects under various policies and budgets; thus assisting ACSIM develop a defendable set of MILCON projects to submit to Congress. Using a budget of $600 million (funds allocated in fiscal year 2001) and data for 62 projects for fiscal year 2001, we recommend funding a set of 50 projects that adhere to the following: fund each Major Army Command's projects in priority; limit each Major Army Command to less than 25% of the total budget; and use at least 80% of the total budget on the worst condition facilities. We demonstrate how this set of 50 projects better adheres to Army policies than those that would be recommended by the current Army technique.