In high-stakes environments where aerospace innovation and national security converge, today’s secure facilities must function on multiple levels. Bryan Construction is more than a SCIF general contractor; we build trust. We understand the mission-critical need that is unique to each of our clients. Since 1998, we’ve quietly delivered over 100 Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities and nearly 1.7 million square feet of classified space construction. Our clients are safeguarding intelligence and strategy. We have a deep, institutional understanding of what our clients actually need.
Our own VP, Doug Woody, spoke at a recent State of Aerospace event and quipped that Bryan Construction had been building SCIFs before the term even had meaning.
Here are some takeaways from his recent speaking engagement:
Compliance Is Your Foundation
Secure facilities are only as good as their accreditation. ICD 705 compliance standards define the baseline. Whether protecting conversations, electromagnetic emissions, or classified documentation, you must comply with the accreditation process. Bryan Construction understands what it takes to pass with zero construction errors.
Accreditation Shouldn’t Be the Bottleneck
Review times for DIA accreditation timelines can stretch to seven months. NRO accreditation often moves faster. Understanding these differences is key to a successful SCIF accreditation process.
Consider Long Lead Times
Lead times on some of these materials, including sound-rated doors, waveguides, RF foil, insulation, and power filters, can range from months to a year. Specifically, STC doors and power filters can have lead times of up to a year. We must be proactive in procuring the necessary materials for building a SCIF room within the given time constraints.
Retrofit and Expand Wisely
Compliance standards continue to evolve. If you have a SCIF now, upgrading to current accreditation mandates is an excellent option for many secure spaces. Bryan Construction can help you identify the necessary upgrades and construction components to ensure your SCIF complies with new standards.
Also consider that cost efficiency improves as the scale grows. The larger the facility, the lower the per-square-foot cost of SCIF construction.
Balancing Tech, Time & Well-Being
Every secure facility has specialized requirements, from RF/EM shielding, TEMPEST mitigation, to sound-rated doors. These construction components protect information, while natural sunlight in secure spaces is designed to protect people’s well-being. Daylight, break space, and mental reset are necessary for team members who work in these highly secure environments. Innovating SCIFs to consider a worker’s mental health should be a priority. Give people opportunities to disconnect from the six-sided box for a minute. Incorporate plants, artwork, and unclassified space where they can take a break.
Forward-thinking SCIF Construction
Often, it is beneficial to plan ahead and make room for future expansion. You may only need 20,000 square feet today, but in two years, you will require 40,000 square feet. We want to position you for success. Imagine spending all this money on your build-out, only to be landlocked. Leasing more space than you currently need is better for your future, as it will provide more classified space as your business expands.
Key Takeaways
Clients need secure facility construction that performs for people, for product, for defense. Bryan Construction blends technical precision with practical foresight to deliver SCIFs that are accredited, resilient, and built to be adaptable to future needs.
- Early planning is table stakes. We can help you start this essential planning process now.
- There is a 2028 cutoff looming for grandfathered facilities related to compliance with the current ICD-705 standards.
- Existing builds are an option. It can be the smarter path to renovate, gut down to the studs, and focus on redundant power and RF shielding. We have extensive experience in SCIF retrofits and upgrades.
- Scale matters. The cost per square foot decreases for larger builds. Amortization works in your favor.
- Speed matters more than price. A financially tight but swiftly delivered SCIF is worth its weight in months saved.
- Well-being is part of resilience. SCIFs are often mentally taxing spaces for the end user. Prioritizing occupant well-being is good business. It increases the speed with which you can deliver.
Don’t just take our word for it. Hear what our clients say.