KAFB News:JOINT BASE SANANTONIO-LACKLAND — The Air Force is proceeding with negotiations for the proposed research park Enhanced Use Lease, or EUL, on approximately 107 acres of non-excess property on the perimeter of Kirtland Air Force Base.
Prior to proceeding with negotiations, a multi-discipline source selection evaluation board reviewed one or more proposals received in response to a competitive solicitation to lease and develop the available property.
Thunderbird Kirtland Development, Ltd Co., or TKD, submitted a proposal to develop a research park with office, industrial, laboratory, retail, and hospitality facilities. The development targets DoD and other contractors wanting to relocate their operations closer to their DoD, Air Force and other federal partners.
TKD will also market the proposed research park to start-up companies, schools and the general public. The research park will revitalize the area while remaining compatible with the missions, plans and programs at Kirtland. The close proximity of public and private sector partners is expected to increase communications and potentially compress research and development life cycle times.
EULs are long-term agreements between the Air Force and public or private developers to lease non-excess Air Force property in exchange for cash or in-kind consideration; the program is managed through the Air Force Civil Engineer Center. EULs are authorized by United States Code (U.S.C.), Title 10, Subsection (§) 2667, “Leases: Non-Excess Property of Military Departments and Defense Agencies”, and are consistent with Executive Order 13327, “Federal Real Property Asset Management”, which promotes the efficient and economical use of America’s real property assets.
Negotiations between the Air Force and TKD are expected to produce a mutually acceptable long-term lease, which will be submitted for approval to the Air Force Deputy Assistant Secretary for Installations. Negotiations are expected to be completed within 180 days.
