Intelligent Controls for Mission-Ready Infrastructure
By Col. Mark O’Reilly, PMP, M.SAME, USAF (Ret.) and Megan Berry, LEED AP, M.SAME
Implementing smart building controls can provide greater operational visibility, proactive maintenance, and stronger resilience for federal facilities in real time.
Today’s operating environment is increasingly defined by uncertainty. The confluence of aging infrastructure, extreme weather, utility disruptions, cybersecurity concerns, and workforce challenges are placing new demands on facility managers and base engineers. At the same time, agencies are being asked to do more with limited resources while maintaining high levels of reliability, efficiency, and operational readiness.
In this variable landscape, resilience is a central objective. While resilience has traditionally been associated with backup power systems, hardened buildings, and redundant equipment, another factor is becoming equally important: the ability to understand and manage operations on demand.
Modern controls technologies, including building automation systems (BAS), sensing networks, and connected monitoring platforms are helping agencies improve visibility, automate efficiency, and respond more seamlessly to changing conditions. By providing actionable information and reducing the burden on personnel, intelligent controls are an increasingly important component of mission-ready infrastructure.
Foundational Visibility
Many federal facilities have undergone physical changes over the decades, including mission shifts and intermittent capital upgrades, resulting in a mix of legacy systems, standalone equipment, and often-disconnected technologies. This fragmentation can make it difficult for teams to develop a complete picture of building performance.
When operational visibility is limited, small issues can remain undetected until they become larger problems. The integration of modern control systems address this by consolidating data into a centralized platform. This enhanced awareness helps identify trends, recognize emerging concerns, and make informed decisions. Rather than reacting to problems after they occur, operators can proactively manage building performance. When supporting mission-critical activities, that visibility can be significant. Whether an administrative building, training space, medical center or storage facility, understanding asset conditions strengthens preparedness and improves resilience.
Meeting these varied challenges requires more than resilient equipment; it requires resilient operations.
Reactive to Proactive
A significant advantage of intelligent building controls is their ability to support a shift from reactive maintenance to proactive operations. Historically, many maintenance activities were driven by occupant complaints or equipment failures. Modern control systems are helping change this paradigm.
- Connected controls continuously monitor equipment performance and operational conditions.
- Automated alarms can notify personnel when systems begin operating outside established parameters.
- Trend analysis tools allow operators to track performance degradation before it leads to failure.
- Advanced analytics can detect unusual operating patterns that may indicate developing issues.
For example, an air-handling unit serving a mission-critical space may begin consuming more energy while delivering less airflow. While occupants may not immediately notice a problem, connected monitoring systems can identify the deviation and alert responders to investigate. Then maintenance can be scheduled before performance deteriorates further or a failure occurs.
This capability becomes particularly valuable during disruptive conditions such as severe weather events, power interruptions, or emergency situations. Automated monitoring allows facility personnel to maintain awareness of building conditions even when access to the site is limited.
Supporting Teams
The federal government, like many sectors, is facing workforce challenges. The stressors on real estate portfolios continue to expand while experienced personnel are retiring, leaving smaller maintenance teams responsible for increasingly complex systems.
As staffing resources become more constrained, technology can serve as a force multiplier—with modern building controls enabling remote monitoring and management of systems, reducing the need for routine manual inspections. Automated scheduling functions can improve equipment operation without requiring constant intervention. Mobile alerts allow personnel to respond more quickly to developing issues, regardless of location.
As federal organizations continue investing in infrastructure modernization, building controls should not be viewed simply as operational tools.
Centralized monitoring platforms are especially beneficial for managing multiple facilities. Instead of traveling between buildings to assess conditions, operators can view performance, alarms, and trends from a central workstation. Importantly, intelligent controls do not replace professional expertise: they improve the efficiency of staff to focus their attention where it is most needed. The routine tasks become automated, operational information becomes more accessible, and leadership gains better tools for making decisions.
As federal organizations continue investing in infrastructure modernization, building controls should not be viewed simply as operational tools.
Resilient Operations
The challenges facing federal infrastructure are unlikely to diminish in the future. Facilities will continue to be challenged by aging assets, evolving mission requirements, workforce constraints, and increasing pressure to operate efficiently while maintaining reliability. Meeting these varied challenges requires more than resilient equipment; it requires resilient operations.
Modern building controls provide visibility, automation, and connectivity. By enabling real-time awareness, reducing operational burden, and integrating previously disconnected systems, intelligent controls help agencies respond more quickly to changing conditions and maintain continuity during disruptions.
As federal organizations continue investing in infrastructure modernization, building controls should not be viewed simply as operational tools. They are strategic assets that contribute directly to mission readiness. Facilities that can see more, respond faster, and operate more intelligently are better positioned to support critical missions today and remain resilient in the future.
Existing Building Upgrades
A common misconception surrounding smart buildings is that achieving meaningful results requires a complete replacement of existing systems. In reality, many agencies can improve performance and resilience by strategically integrating existing infrastructure with modern control technologies, upgrading over time as budget allows.
Often, federal facilities contain equipment with still years of useful life remaining. Opportunities exist for enhancements.
- HVAC, lighting, and controls systems can be connected to modern platforms through gateways, communication upgrades, and software enhancements.
- Wireless technologies can provide new monitoring capabilities without the need for extensive construction or disruption to building operations.
The goal is not necessarily to replace every component, but to create a more connected operational environment. Integration of smart controls allows for information from multiple systems to be viewed and managed through a unified platform. Operators can better understand how building elements interact, identify inefficiencies, and make decisions based on a more complete picture of facility performance.
For example, occupancy information may be used to improve HVAC schedules. Environmental sensors can help verify comfort conditions while reducing unnecessary energy consumption. Security and building systems can share information that supports coordinated facility operations. By leveraging existing investments while introducing new capabilities, agencies can modernize facilities in a practical, cost-effective way over time.
Col. Mark O’Reilly, PMP, M.SAME, USAF (Ret.), is Federal Market Team Leader, and Megan Berry, LEED AP, M.SAME, is Federal Controls Leader, Trane. They can be reached at mark.oreilly@tranetechnologies.com; and megan.berry@trane.com.
Published in the September-October 2026 issue of The Military Engineer
Check Out Related Articles From TME
-
Innovative PFAS Remediation at Camp Grayling
For project stakeholders and remediation managers confronted with PFAS, Regenesis demonstrates the efficacy of using Regenesis’ PlumeStop® colloidal activated carbon (CAC) at Camp Grayling, Michigan. -
A Standardized Approach to Aircraft Fire Training Infrastructure
To support enterprise-wide airmen readiness, the U.S. Air Force is modernizing its standard design for aircraft fire training facilities—introducing digital controls, dual-fuel systems, and PFAS-conscious infrastructure. -
Delivering Energetic Materials Manufacturing Facilities
Designing and constructing facilities that manufacture, process, handle, or store explosives and energetic materials present some of the most challenging defense projects—requiring technical experience, strict safety protocols, and a comprehensive understanding of regulatory frameworks. -
Forging Tradition and Innovation: A New Design Standard at Camp Lejeune
The II MEF Headquarters at Camp Lejeune blends Georgian Revival architecture with modern sustainability—delivering durability, efficiency, and precision that meets contemporary functional requirements while honoring heritage. -
Balancing Efficiency and Fiscal Responsibility
The continuing contracts clause offers the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers a way to improve project delivery and enhance fiscal responsibility by aligning funding with project execution. -
Next Steps for Digital Twin Development
U.S. Forces Japan is laying the groundwork for future integration of digital twin technology in order to validate and collect data that will offer comprehensive insights into utility conditions at installations and enhance overall decision-making, efficiency, and resilience.
