Woolpert GIS Specialist Matthew Wellinski discovers data anomalies in FSRM funding at Hurlburt Field and develops a process that could translate to savings across the Air Force.
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (April 20, 2020) — Hurlburt Field will receive an additional $2.27 million in Facilities, Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization (FSRM) funding thanks to data anomalies discovered by Woolpert GIS Specialist Matthew Wellinski. Hurlburt Field is home to the Air Force Special Operations Command and the 1st Special Operations Wing.
Wellinski has been assigned by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) GeoBase program to Hurlburt Field, 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron’s Real Property Office, as a GIS analyst to support the GeoBase program and integrate real property information for the base. His position is funded by the Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) Geographic Information Office (GIO), to explore how real property and GeoBase collaboration can benefit both programs and the base.
Wellinski said these data anomalies were detected after Hurlburt Field leadership asked its Real Property Office whether the base was receiving less FSRM funding than it should, as compared to other bases. This initiated a thorough review of Hurlburt Field’s assets, geospatial data and real property inspection process.
“Military installations receive funding based on the number of assets they have on their real property record, and real property inspections are done every five years at a micro level,” Wellinski said. “By changing that review to a macro view, we were able to identify discrepancies in the data and accurately account for assets. By opening that aperture and evaluating how our data are being calculated, we realized that Hurlburt should receive an additional $2.27 million in FSRM funds.”
Wellinski attributed the data anomalies to a combination of issues, from conflicting technical knowledge of assets to record keeping to vague guidance from support teams. He said this type of evaluation would benefit all bases and the USAF in general because it ensures the accuracy of the data and appropriate FSRM funding.
“After identifying our process change, I took it upon myself to look at an exported copy of another base’s real property records,” Wellinski said. “I found them to be missing or have significantly fewer transformers on record than were identified in their GeoBase GIS database and notified the appropriate personnel.”
Hurlburt Field Asset Accountability Element Chief Barry L. Woods worked with Wellinski throughout this process.
“Matthew possesses a unique ability to see beyond what has been for years,” Woods said. “He applies new methods, using updated capabilities in technology that allow us to identify opportunities to enhance our support of the mission. I cannot express how talented this young man is and how appreciative we are to have him as part of our team.”
Woolpert Geospatial Program Director Vince Sclafani said data anomalies are a known problem at Air Force bases because each department is focused on executing its own mission, and they are not consistently reconciling their data with the real property and GeoBase datasets. He said data analyses such as these are highly beneficial for installations because their funding is appropriate and accountable. He said Woolpert is in the process of providing similar data analysis and reconciliation for the Air Force at the enterprise level through the GeoBase program.
“The proliferation of data and its applications benefits agencies and organizations around the world by ensuring the data are reconciled across usages,” Sclafani said. “This is an added layer of security that Woolpert is able to provide because we have the data capabilities, as well as military and national security experience.”
About Woolpert
Woolpert is committed to a vision to become the premier architecture, engineering, geospatial (AEG) and strategic consulting firm, and one of the best companies in the world. It’s a vision we’ve been fine-tuning for decades. It guides our decisions and investments, provides our clients with optimal solutions and offers our employees unrivaled opportunities. Woolpert is recognized as a Great Place to Work by its employees and is America’s fastest-growing AEG firm. With more than a century of experience, close to 1,000 employees and 30 offices, Woolpert supports public, private, federal, and U.S. military clients nationally and around the globe. For more information, visit woolpert.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
