Industry News

San Antonio-based Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has opened the 9,700-sf Network Equipment/Building Systems (NEBS) dedicated testing facility for telecommunications equipment. NEBS testing determines how equipment performs in a variety of operating conditions, and enables clients to meet an industry requirement for pre-product evaluation. Included in the facility are several environmental chambers, such as a large-platform earthquake testing facility and a large walk-in chamber.

Dynport Vaccine, a joint venture between DynCorp and pharmaceutical company Porton International, has broken ground on a three-story office in Frederick.  Dynport Vaccine, the prime systems contractor for the Department of Defense’s vaccine acquisition program, will use the facility to develop biodefense vaccines for FDA production and licensing. The building will consolidate four facilities, as well as providing Department of Defense office space.

North Carolina State University Veterinary School worked with Flad & Associates recently to complete its master plan. Flad is now working on the construction document phase for a new 100,000-sf cell biology wet lab for the school.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has selected The Orr Co. of Falls Church as development manager for its expansion in the Virginia Square neighborhood of Arlington. The expansion includes a 372,000-sf, two-tower office building and housing accommodations for 1,100 employees and contractors. 

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has selected Charlestown-based Design Partnership of Cambridge as architect for the restoration of Murdock Hall on the university's campus in North Adams. The 1894 building will be restored to serve its original purpose as the campus's main academic centerpiece.