Conti Federal Wins Engineering News-Record Texas & Louisiana’s 2025 Government/Public Building Best Projects

Recognition Highlights Conti Federal’s Excellence in Military Construction

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Conti Federal Services, a leading federal construction and design-build firm specializing in military construction and critical infrastructure, has been named a winner of Engineering News-Record (ENR) Texas & Louisiana’s 2025 Best Project Awards in the Government/Public Building category. The recognition is for the construction of an F-35A Flight Simulator and Squadron Operations Facility at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NASJRB) in Fort Worth, Texas.

The F-35A Flight Simulator and Squadron Operations/Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU) Facility will advance the combat readiness and mission effectiveness of the 301st Fighter Wing. Built to meet the demands of next-generation airpower, this integrated complex provides comprehensive support for every phase of F-35A operations—from pre-mission training to post-flight analysis.

Located at NASJRB Fort Worth, the nation’s first joint reserve base, the facility enhances integrated training for multi-branch operations including Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and the Texas Air National Guard. The result is a future-ready installation that equips pilots and support crews with the environment, tools, and security they need to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving defense landscape.

Given the critical role of this facility, the project’s progress faced an unexpected test when severe weather struck the site. In March 2023, a tornado struck the project site, damaging the in-progress Flight Simulator Facility and a 70-foot section of the Squadron Operations/AMU building.

Leveraging Conti Federal’s proprietary Warrior Lean® construction management approach, the team immediately re-engineered the critical elements , expedited procurement of a new materials, and re-sequenced work packages to align with other ongoing site activities. These measures allowed the team to revise schedule milestones and significantly reduce the schedule impact created by the storm.

Conti Federal’s ability to adapt in the face of unforeseen challenges kept the project moving forward while maintaining the highest commitment to safety and quality ensured mission success even under the most demanding circumstances.

“These state-of-the-art facilities form a cohesive hub that empowers airmen, accelerates operational tempo, and ensures the 301^st Fighter Wing is mission ready at all times,” said Chris Conerly, Project Executive at Conti Federal. “We are honored to be recognized by Engineering News-Record with this prestigious award, which highlights our team’s innovative solutions to overcome unique challenges.”

Conti Federal has previously been recognized by ENR in this category for our Fort Liberty Barracks Renovation Project. The company was also recognized last year for Best Regional Project in the Water/Environment category and was runner-up for Southeast Project of the Year for successfully converting a National Guard Barracks into a COVID-19 Alternate Care Facility in only 22 days.

About Conti Federal Services

Conti Federal Services is a leading global construction and design-build company with roots dating back to 1906. The company has delivered some of the most demanding projects for the U.S. federal government, specializing in military and secure construction, critical infrastructure, environmental remediation, and disaster response and recovery. Conti Federal is dedicated to ensuring clients meet mission success while committing to its core values of safety, integrity, and compliance. To learn more, visit www.contifederal.com.