VA Announces $41 Million in Construction Contracts for San Antonio State-of-Art "Polytrauma Center" Funded

WASHINGTON (Feb. 26, 2010) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
announced the award of two contracts totaling $41.5 million to create a
"polytrauma center" that cares for the most severely injured Veterans
and to improve the existing wards at the Audie L. Murphy VA Medical
Center.

"A top priority for VA is providing greater access to VA's health care
system and higher quality of care for the nation's Veterans," Secretary
of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said. "America's Veterans have
earned the very best that this nation as to offer."

One contract announced by Secretary Shinseki provides $37.2 million to
Robins and Morton of Birmingham, Ala.  The contract calls for
construction of a three-story, 84,000-square foot "polytrauma center."
It would include physical medicine, rehabilitation services, prosthetics
service and research.

"Polytrauma" refers to health care for Veterans who have more than one
severe, life-threatening medical problem.  Many of VA's polytrauma
patients are recent combat Veterans injured by roadside bombs and other
explosives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A second contract, valued at $4.3 million, went to Strategic
Perspectives Development of San Antonio.  It provides for upgrades and
expansion to ward 4-A, including electrical work, utilities, fire alarm
and fire protection systems, telephone and data systems, and asbestos
abatement.

Last year, VA spent more than $7.8 billion in Texas on behalf of the
state's 1.7 million Veterans.  VA operates 11 major medical centers in
the state, more than 40 outpatient clinics, 14 Vet Centers and six
national cemeteries.