From Bases to Courthouses: What It Takes to Build Secure and Compliant Government Facilities  

By R. McKinley Construction — Faith • Family • Hard Work

When a county needs a courthouse or a military base needs a hardened shelter for F-18 fighters, the people who build those structures must do more than construct walls and roofs. Government facilities demand an uncommon blend of technical skill, rigorous compliance, secure workflows, and stakeholder coordination. These projects are high stakes public assets, mission-critical infrastructure, and community touchstones. Delivering them on time, on budget, and without compromise requires systems, experience, and a partner who understands the unique pressures of public-sector work.

At R. McKinley Construction, we’ve built both. From the flight line at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to the LEED-oriented Santa Maria Courthouse, our projects illustrate what it takes to bring secure and compliant government facilities to life. Here’s how we do it, and here’s what government officials should expect from their construction partner.

1. Prequalification & Vendor Requirements: Getting Through the Gate

Government and military projects begin long before the first shovel hits dirt. Many agencies — especially military installations — use formal prequalification steps to identify trusted vendors. These processes often include:

• Past-performance checks and references
• Background checks and fingerprinting (sometimes FBI-level)
• Proof of bonding, insurance, and appropriate licensing
• Security clearance or base access approvals
• Documentation of safety programs and training

For MCAS Miramar, every laborer required FBI background checks and flight-line driving qualifications. RMC’s ability to navigate those processes from documentation to training; turned what could be a barrier into a competitive advantage. For counties and municipalities, similar diligence gives owners confidence that a contractor understands regulatory expectations and can maintain continuity once on site.

Tip for owners: ask for a capability statement and vendor references that detail prior government projects and any security-clearance experience.

2. Compliance & Regulatory Knowledge

Government projects aren’t one-size-fits-all. A courthouse must comply with different standards than a military shelter or a healthcare facility. Some of the common compliance layers include:

• Local and state building codes and permitting
• Special agency requirements (e.g., courthouse security standards, military base regulations)
• Environmental and historical preservation rules for public land
• Accessibility (ADA) and life-safety systems
• Energy and sustainability standards (LEED or local green building requirements)

On the Santa Maria Courthouse project, our team coordinated approvals across multiple siloed agencies. Rather than letting reviews stall progress, we acted as the consensus conduit; translating technical compliance into actionable steps and keeping the project on schedule.

Owner-facing advice: require a compliance management plan as part of the bid package so the process for approvals and inspections is transparent before construction begins.

3. Security, Safety & Access: Special Considerations for Military & Sensitive Sites

Security is more than restricting who can enter a jobsite; on military and sensitive municipal projects, it’s woven into every step:

• Controlled access and escorted movement across secure zones
• Restricted tools, materials, and equipment lists (to meet base protocols)
• Specialized training for site-specific hazards (e.g., flight line vehicle operation)
• Coordination with base security, safety officers, and public safety agencies

RMC’s Miramar shelter installation required not only background checks but also practical training for crew members to safely navigate the flight line. This investment in training protected personnel, the mission, and the timeline.

Value point: contractors who proactively plan for and fund training and security coordination reduce schedule risk, which is a measurable benefit to government owners.

4. Procurement, Materials & Specialty Subcontractors

Government projects frequently require materials or subcontractors that meet strict specifications. Finding green-qualified subs for a LEED courthouse or a specialty fabricator for a tension shelter on a military base can slow progress if vendors aren’t pre-vetted.

What helps:

• A vetted network of specialty subcontractors with government experience
• Clear procurement timelines aligned with agency lead times
• Contingency sourcing strategies for long-lead or specialized components

On the Santa Maria Courthouse, sourcing green-qualified subcontractors was a primary challenge. RMC’s approach was to pre-qualify several vendors for each critical scope to avoid single-source delays.

5. Communication & Stakeholder Management

Public projects involve multiple stakeholders: owners, funders, architects, municipal boards, community groups, and in some cases, multiple regulatory agencies. Effective communication is the glue that holds the project together.

Best practices include:

• Regular, documented coordination meetings (with action item tracking)
• A single point of contact for owner communications
• Clear procedures for change orders, RFIs, and claims management
• Transparent public communication when projects affect community access or services

RMC’s role on the courthouse project frequently involved mediating between agency expectations and contractor constraints to maintain momentum and public trust.

6. Schedule & Budget Discipline: Predictability Matters

Municipal and military projects are often on the public calendar or mission timelines. Delays can ripple into operations, incur penalties, or cost public dollars. Achieving predictability requires:

• Realistic baseline schedules with risk allowances
• Active schedule management and weekly updates
• Lean construction strategies and phased completions where useful
• Strong cost-control measures and early identification of change drivers

RMC delivered the Santa Maria Courthouse under the forecasted budget and completed the Miramar shelter quickly after a measured prep period — examples of how disciplined scheduling and budgeting create public value.

7. Quality Assurance, Documentation & Closeout

Government facilities must stand up to public scrutiny for decades. A disciplined QA/QC program and thorough closeout documentation protect both owner and contractor.

Key items:

• Daily logs, inspection records, and materials traceability
• As-built drawings, operation manuals, and training for facility staff
• Warranty management and post-occupancy punch-list completion
• Formal commissioning for mechanical, electrical, and life-safety systems

For facilities that can’t lose operational hours (courthouses or airfields), a detailed closeout process ensures rapid transition to operations and reduces future maintenance claims.

8. Sustainability & Community Impact

Many municipalities prioritize sustainability and long-term operational savings. LEED certification or similar green-building practices not only reduce lifecycle costs but also support public goals for resilience and emissions reduction.

Our LEED-aligned courthouse demonstrates that sustainable projects can also be delivered quickly and under budget when sustainability is integrated from design through procurement.

9. The Right Partner: What Government Owners Should Look For

When selecting a contractor for government projects, prioritize firms that demonstrate:

• Documented government or military past performance
• Proven regulatory knowledge and clearances where needed
• A vetted network of compliant subcontractors
• Strong safety and training programs
• Reliable communication and public engagement skills
• A track record of schedule and budget discipline

1. McKinley Construction brings these exact attributes to the table: from flight-line shelters at Miramar to LEED courthouse work in Santa Maria — we blend practical construction skill with compliance-first processes.

Conclusion: Built for Public Trust

Government and military projects are more than construction assignments — they’re public commitments. Delivering them requires a partner who understands compliance, security, stakeholder dynamics, and the technical complexities of specialized construction. R. McKinley Construction has built that capability through disciplined systems, trained teams, and a values-driven approach that puts mission and community first.

If your agency is planning a courthouse, a secure military facility, or a municipal building that demands reliability and compliance, let’s talk. We bring the experience, the systems, and the people to get it done right.

Contact R. McKinley Construction
Phone: (805) 239-0490 | Email: info@rmckinleyconstructioninc.com | Web: www.rmckinleyconstructioninc.com