Friday, April 4, 2025
4/4/2025
Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending - Construction - Stephens Memorial Hospital’s PACE Paramedic Service provides EMS coverage to 10 local communities in the Oxford Hills region, seasonal coverage of Sunday River Ski Resort, and back-up coverage for four other communities that have services of their own. Each year, PACE crews respond to over 4,300 community emergencies and provide critical transport services between health care facilities throughout the region. In 2021 Stephens initiated a comprehensive facilities planning process to address aging infrastructure and future needs of our buildings and services. As part of that process the PACE paramedic station was identified as a priority for the local community, requiring significant renovations to its physical plant. Overall, the building lacks appropriate mechanical ventilation which results in moisture and mold issues, particularly where the vehicles are stored. The effects of the HVAC deficiency can be seen in the accelerated rusting of storage units and the standing melt water that accumulates in the winter. The storage units themselves are the result of years of retro-fitting, as medical and emergency response supply requirements have evolved to outstrip available, appropriate space. The building itself currently struggles to house the six ambulances operated by PACE. As PACE migrates to now-standard four-wheel drive ambulances that are longer in body design, more space will be needed. Furthermore, over the 22 years since the building was constructed, PACE crews have evolved to include both women and men, making group bunking arrangements problematic. The kitchen facility is small and inadequate for preparing meals for a full staffing of the facility. There is only one shower available to staff, also inadequate for the number of staff and gender mix. The living and working quarters lack a fire suppression system, a basic life safety code requirement for modern facilities. These improvements will ensure the longevity of the building while positioning us to meet the increased volume of services needed in our communities. Construction / renovation activities are as follows: • Scope of construction activities includes renovation of current space and an additional 2925 sq. ft. of new space to living quarters and storage. • Improvements include the addition of eight private bunk rooms, three staff bathrooms with showers, new private space for patient charting, an enlarged kitchen, and secure climate-controlled storage space for medical supplies. • Modifications and/or repairs to the building exterior include replacement of windows to meet current EPA energy star efficiency ratings. • Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning modifications include upgrading the current HVAC system to include climate controls and installing a variable refrigerant flow HVAC system with associated duct work. • Electrical upgrades and/or plumbing work includes the addition of new plumbing fixtures that meet EPA WaterSense specifications. Electrical upgrades will include new conductors and outlets that meet current code, along with redistributed branch circuitry. Lighting will be converted to LED. • Project activities in terms of dimension, sq. footage, and total ground disturbance: The additions will increase the building by 2925 sq. ft. The additional square footage is located on both sides and the back of the building. The first is a secure storage area of 648 sq. feet on the left side of the ambulance garage, and the second is the increase to the living quarters on the right side and back of the building (2277 sq. ft.). • The proposed method of construction: Construction manager at-risk delivery method.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).