March 2024
Wald's Words of Wisdom
"Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."
Vince Lombardi
This month, OMES was recognized at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting for improved accessibility and customer service.
The CAM team prioritizes high quality interpersonal relationships with our agency partners because it strengthens the extent to which we are able to serve those who serve Oklahomans.
Through acknowledging our shortcomings and ways we've gotten things wrong in the past, CAM is able to move forward with new strategies for success. The improvement in our relationship with ODWC demonstrates Lombardi's sentiment that the pursuit of perfection creates measurable results. We thank ODWC for their continued partnership and look forward to providing future support.
Nathan Wald
OMES CAM Administrator
Resources
Save the date
- April 9; 2 to 3 p.m. - CAM Listens: Fleet Focus
- April 10; 10 a.m. - REALS property auction
Deferred Maintenance Updates
This month, construction progressed smoothly at the M.C. Connors Building and the Oliver Hodge Building, where new sliding doors were installed at the courtyard entries. The crews have since switched to the parking lot entries to begin the final phase of this project. Contractors on the Transportation Building air handler project have completed demolition and are actively removing debris in preparation for the assembly of the new air handler upon delivery.
Crews on the Agriculture Building projects have begun installation of the new variable air volume drives (VAVs), which will provide optimal HVAC system operation. Phase 1 is progressing as planned and is expected to be complete by May 2025.
The Will Rogers Building and the Sequoyah Building will begin construction in April. Each building will have new entryways installed at all four entrances. Additionally, the electrical, entryway and elevator projects at the Denver Davison Building are moving to the construction phase, and a preconstruction meeting with the contractors will be hosted shortly.
Many of the other projects in Phase 1 of the eight-year plan are moving through the design phase, where safety, cost efficiency and optimized functionality are the priority.
We will continue to provide updates as projects progress. View the dashboard for real-time updates and details on all FY 2025 deferred maintenance projects.
Surplus
Helicopter acquisition to bolster tech center's aviation maintenance program
OMES Surplus is pleased to announce our second acquisition coordination of an aviation vehicle for the students of Oklahoma's technology learning centers. On. Feb. 17, a Bell TH-57C helicopter in usable condition was donated to the Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee.
Federal Surplus Program Coordinator Barry Bornemann maintains a list of aircraft desired by technology centers across the state and uses it to match technology centers with surplus aircraft available for only an administrative fee. Though the helicopter is flyable, it will be used specifically for GCTC's maintenance program to help students gain practical skills in aviation repair.
GCTC's superintendent, Julie McCormick, said of the donation, "This acquisition is a tremendous asset for our AMT program. Having a real helicopter on-site will enhance training and engagement for our students, preparing them for successful careers as aviation maintenance technicians."
Refurbished school bus acquisition assists community engagement initiatives
In February, Surplus helped the Alpha Community Foundation acquire a surplus school bus to be repurposed by the foundation.
The Alpha Community Foundation shuttle, a refurbished school bus, is a multipurpose vehicle designed to provide essential transportation and engagement opportunities for seniors, youth and the broader community. It will serve as a transportation resource for seniors, offering rides to events, wellness activities and essential services. The bus will also support youth development through college tours, experiential learning trips and reliable pickup/drop-off for program participants. Additionally, it will be showcased in parades and special events, serving as a mobile symbol of community pride and engagement throughout Oklahoma City.
Real Estate and Leasing Services
2025 Annual Property Asset Survey
OMES REALS and OMES Risk Management would like to thank our partner agencies for your patience and diligence in reviewing your property data and submitting corrections and changes. Your efforts have made the first combined property survey possible.
We always aim to improve and streamline our processes so that they are more efficient and accessible to our agency partners. We will continue to work with agencies to resolve any discrepancies and continually improve data quality moving forward.
Please reach out if you have any questions or need assistance.
Contact REALS: Kristie Wallace
Contact Risk Management: Melissa Forrestier
Sale property location: 1501 NE 11th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73117
REALS will host a sealed-bid auction for an Oklahoma City property on April 10 at 10 a.m. Open to all members of the public, your sealed bids must be hand delivered before 5 p.m. or postmarked no later than Friday, April 4, 2025. If postmarked by the deadline, the bid must also be received by OMES no later than the bid opening date and time.
Visit our website or use this link for auction rules and more information.
You may email Eva Thurman with questions or concerns, or call 405-982-8571.
IT Asset Management
IT Asset Management relocates to the Information Services division of OMES
OMES consistently works to identify opportunities to increase efficiency and expand its excellent customer service offerings. Recently, IT Asset Management was reassigned from the Capital Assets Management division of OMES to the Information Services division. This decision does not impact the services OMES offers, but it ensures that OMES is able to offer secure, organized and accessible services to those who serve Oklahomans. Some changes you may notice include the migration of ITAM's ServiceNow catalog items and website information to IS.
These migrations are ongoing, and if you have trouble accessing ITAM's information or services, please contact the ITAM team at itam@omes.ok.gov
State IT disposal program donation supports local wildlife conservation efforts
The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation, a nonprofit partner of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, recently received a $15,000 donation from the global IT asset disposition company, Mender, as a result of the state’s ITAD program, administered by OMES. OMES joined ODWC and Mender at an Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting on March 3 for a formal presentation of the donation, which will directly support wetland development, as well as migratory bird and waterfowl conservation projects in regions across the state.
Since its launch in February 2024, the ITAD program has generated $381,000 in savings, properly disposed of 700 kilograms of hazardous materials and processed multiple semitrucks of surplus IT assets monthly.
Facilities Management
Severe weather reminders
All agencies in OFM-managed buildings develop their own severe weather emergency plans. OMES, CAM and OFM assist as necessary to ensure plans fit our standards of evacuation and to clarify the responsibilities of floor monitors. We encourage everyone to subscribe to severe weather reminders to receive email notifications about closures in inclement and severe weather situations, as well as other announcements.
Select here for more information about building-specific safety protocols.
Robotic lawn mowers
OFM is pleased to announce our implementation of seven new robotic lawn mowers on the Capitol Building grounds this spring. These automatic mowers cut the grass as needed and reduce the use of chemical herbicides, as weeds are cut down before they have a chance to germinate.
The first of these remote mowers was beta-tested in August 2024, and we are pleased with the results they have produced so far in cost savings and landscape improvements.
Building and roof damage claims
OFM routinely performs building and roof walks to assess for damage. OFM and CAP partner with OMES Risk, Assessment and Compliance (RAC) on damage claims after storm events. OFM staff assesses buildings after every weather event to determine the extent of damage sustained and report any necessary information to RAC. OFM also takes a proactive approach to weather events by mitigating risks as much as possible before the event occurs. This includes ensuring that rooftop equipment is secured. We encourage tenants to report any damage to their assigned building manager so it can be filed and remediated in a timely manner.
Welcoming new team members
OFM is excited to welcome four new team members to our staff. Carl Whitson joins us as a senior operations technician, Ryan Oberst joins us as a groundskeeper, and both Tommy Gee and Chip Descombes join OMES as maintenance technicians. We appreciate the skill, professionalism and industry knowledge our new hires bring to the table, and we look forward to benefiting from their expertise!
Fleet Management
CAM Administrator Nathan Wald is conducting a full evaluation of Fleet efficiencies and identifying pathways to success that will benefit Fleet systems across the state. Improvements include not only implementing new software but also taking OMES Fleet Management in a more streamlined direction in the next three to six months. Governor Stitt's most recent executive order pertaining to the state's fleet has emboldened OMES to hit the ground running in our approach to assist agencies with compliance. Streamlined processes and functional, accessible software directly translate to success for our agency partners, and we look forward to delivering to them the best fleet services we can.
Construction and Properties
As your agency plans constructions projects, we encourage you to coordinate with OMES Construction and Properties as a first step in your process. By folding in a CAP project manager, CAP can assist in guiding the initiation of the project and ensuring all boxes are checked and requirements are met.
Whether you are considering construction of a new building or parking garage, or even a public-facing art project, CAP is the resource you want in your corner. Team members are available to assist in getting your projects off the ground through architectural and engineering assistance, engaging security and technology teams on your behalf and even helping to ensure all project costs are accounted for before your agency requests funds for the project. To engage the CAP team, email us at cap@omes.ok.gov.
Active project updates
Kelley Building
Construction at the Kelley Building is on track to begin in April. The most recent milestone achieved at this location was the project being sent out for solicitation.
Looking ahead, the next milestone will be for the project construction manager, Flintco, to mobilize and begin demolition.
We look forward to keeping you updated once demolition is complete and construction work picks up at the Kelley Building.
Jim Thorpe Building
Overall, construction at the Jim Thorpe Building is on budget and on schedule, so additional scopes of work have been proposed to enhance the longevity and use of the building.
The Jim Thorpe team met with the oversight committee on Wednesday, March 12, to discuss improvements for parking, site lighting, landscaping, the roof terrace and the mechanical equipment enclosure.
The project's next milestones will be the installation of electrical equipment and receiving authorization to proceed with betterments.
Sallisaw Veterans Home
On Friday, Feb. 21, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration was held at the newly completed Sallisaw Veterans Home. The project's completion marks the end of a collaborative effort between OMES, Cherokee Nation, Flintco and the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs to provide Oklahoma's veterans with a state-of-the-art facility where they may receive the highest standard of care and comfort.
OMES is pleased to have played a role in assisting ODVA in their mission to care for Oklahoma's veterans.
Central Printing and Interagency Mail
Improving your mailing process
The Interagency Mail team has a few tips and tricks to improve your mailing process. Following the guidelines below will help you save on postage and allow your mail to be processed faster and more accurately.
Interagency mail (mail sent between agencies)
- Ensure the mail has full recipient information (agency name, division/recipient and preferably an address).
- Provided at no cost to our customers. A list of agencies we deliver to is provided on our website.
Metered mail (mail that IAM applies postage to and sends through USPS)
- Ensure all pieces of mail are oriented the same way.
- Please leave the upper right corner of mail free for postage to be metered.
- Tape and certified mail labels commonly interfere with postage imprints.
- Ensure all outgoing mail has a return address.
- Keep the following categories of mail separate from each other:
- Handwritten versus typed addresses.
- Sealed versus unsealed.
- Domestic versus international.
- Interagency versus metered.
If your agency is not currently using Interagency Mail’s metering services but would like to learn more, email Thomas Weems to find out if we can meet your needs and save you money on mailing.
Employee spotlight
This month, CAM is shining a spotlight on the OFM Central Maintenance team for their assistance with agency-wide office moves. The Maintenance team has gone above and beyond to provide employees with a smooth transition to a full-time in-office work setting, and we want to recognize their hard work. Their behind-the-scenes dedication can be thankless, so it's important to take a moment and appreciate the team for rising to the occasion to Get Stuff Done. Thank you to our Central Maintenance team for all you do!
Brian Nail, Reggie Knight, Bill Bowman, Thomas Pendleton, Tommy Gee, James Beezley, Josh Lovell.
Mike Ray, Shane Rooney, Jimmy Scott, Rickey Jones, Ron Whisenhunt, Tim Birdwell, Chip DesCombes.
Darin Brinson, Tim Luna, Merle Nevel, Rosendo Gamez, Jeoffrey Brown, Jeff Martin.
Cliff Meshew, Chris Robinson, Jarred Heflin, Dylan Jernigan, Mark Hosechief.
