By Troy Turner
The Army’s Field Directorate Office-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, tapped Alabama Power Co. for a $97 million, 10-year contract to provide a variety of electrical services at various unannounced work locations.
An Army-FDO plans, awards and administers thousands of contracts to support base operations, readiness and soldier services. They also provide essential contracting, acquisition training and logistical support for Army commands.
Alabama Power, headquartered in Birmingham, under its new contract will provide “electric service, changes in electric service, or disconnection of electric service under the General Services Administration Areawide Public Utility Contract.”
That General Services type of contract allows the War Department and other federal agencies to enter agreements with utility companies to provide a range of services for up to 10 years per contract.
“Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 29, 2036,” the War Department said.
No other details were released regarding the type of work or locations involved in the deal announced Friday.
A history of military service
Alabama Power has a long history of providing services to the military, beginning in the early 1900s and World War I, to more recent contracts, such as a 2025 deal worth more than $10 million to provide services at Anniston Army Depot, and similar service agreements for service at military installations throughout the state.
Anniston Army Depot
Alabama Power’s growth in providing electricity to a mostly rural Alabama made rapid gains after building multiple dams during the 1920s, and that availability of electrical power was a factor in increased military spending in the state before and during World War II.
Alabama today ranks as the No. 9 state in luring defense contracts from the U.S. military.
Alabama Power also provides a wide spectrum of services to an industrial base with critical infrastructure vital to the War Department.
The Army’s FDO mission
Field Directorate Office-Fort Sam Houston is one of four brigade-level subordinate units within the Army’s Mission and Installation Contracting Command.
The other FDOs include Field Directorate Office-Fort Eustis, Virginia; 418th Contracting Support Brigade at Fort Cavazos, Texas; and 419th Contracting Support Brigade at Fort Liberty, North Carolina.
Past notable projects FDO-Fort Sam Houston assisted include quick-reaction support to the Old Guard as it worked to rebuild its equine program in support of Arlington National Cemetery; establishing a global housing inspection program to improve housing for Army families; ensuring the quality and safety of Army dining facilities; assisting Army marketing campaigns.
Troy Turner is the editor and senior consultant for AlaDefense.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. His bio can be found here.
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