BL Harbert Secures $171.5M U.S. Army Corps Contract for Major Data Center Modernization in Huntsville
January 5, 2026
The U.S. government continues to invest heavily in modernizing its critical digital infrastructure, with a significant new contract in Alabama highlighting the strategic importance of secure, advanced data processing and research facilities for national defense and technological advancement.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Mobile District has awarded Birmingham-based BL Harbert International LLC a firm-fixed-price contract valued at $171.5 million to transform existing administrative government space in Huntsville into a state-of-the-art data center and laboratory complex. The contractor was selected from a competitive field of three bidders for this substantial project, which carries a total cumulative value of $194.8 million and is slated for completion by April 21, 2028.
The renovated facility will be a multifaceted hub, housing a modern data center, specialized laboratories, and updated administrative offices. Funding for the initiative is drawn from fiscal 2024-2025 military construction defense-wide appropriations, supplemented by fiscal 2026 research, development, test, and evaluation defense-wide funds.
BL Harbert, a major player in federal construction established in 2000 and employing over 10,000 people globally, brings considerable experience to the undertaking. The company has a robust history with large-scale government projects, notably including the construction of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, a $613.8 million project, and the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, valued at $563.5 million. Recognized as the 93rd largest contractor in the United States by Engineering News-Record in 2025, BL Harbert consistently ranks among the top 100 U.S. government contractors.
This project underscores a broader trend of federal agencies upgrading legacy facilities to meet escalating demands for data security, computational power, and advanced research capabilities. The Huntsville modernization is poised to enhance the Department of Defense's technological edge, supporting critical missions in one of the nation's key hubs for aerospace and defense innovation.
Source: rocketcitynow
