Engineering

OEI provides comprehensive engineering design, analysis, and construction document preparation for Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Engineering project solutions.

MEP Services

OEI’s MEP Engineering Group specializes in the Design, Specification, Coordination, and Preparation of Construction Document Packages. The Contract Document Packages detail construction project scopes of work associated with Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Special Infrastructure Systems that serve buildings, facilities, campuses, and/or individual specialized equipment.

 

Leveraging an Integrated Project Delivery Team approach, our services include Project Development, Pre-Design, Design Phase (Conceptual, Schematic, Design Development, Construction Documents), Pre-Construction, and Construction Phase support services that are provided with a genuine spirit of collaboration. 

 

We employ modeling, document management, and file sharing software platforms during the project development, design, and construction phases.  The use of the following functionality is used to produce project contract documents including drawings, specifications, reports, exhibits, etc.

  • Building Information Modeling Systems
  • Load Calculation and Energy Simulators
  • MEP Infrastructure System Evaluation and Project Coordination 3D walkthrough animations, fly-by views, and virtual tours
  • Document Management and File Sharing Platforms
  • Project Team / Stakeholder Coordination, User-Group Viewing, and Rendering Applications

 

The strategic integration of these technologies into cohesive workflows serves to fuel our value proposition as a project team member in an ever-evolving Architectural Engineering Landscape. 

 

As a multi-disciplined project team, early and continuous collaboration with project stakeholders through project milestones optimizes project outcomes with the benefit of increased efficiencies.

Civil Services

OEI’s Civil Engineering Group specializes in the Planning, Design, Specification, and Documentation of site infrastructure systems for both the municipal and federal sectors, defining scopes of work for grading, drainage, utilities, paving, and site accessibility.

We employ advanced modeling and coordination platforms to support civil design across all phases. These tools help produce contract documents including drawings, specifications, reports, exhibits, and GIS deliverables:

  • Civil Site Modeling and Grading Tools
  • Stormwater Simulation and Drainage Analysis Software
  • Utility Mapping and Infrastructure Coordination Platforms
  • GIS-Based Asset Inventory and Reporting Systems
  • Document Management and File Sharing Platforms
  • Stakeholder Coordination, User-Group Review, and Visualization Applications

 

The strategic integration of these technologies into cohesive workflows enhances our ability to deliver resilient, compliant, and constructible site designs. As a multi-disciplined team, OEI’s early and continuous collaboration with stakeholders ensures optimized outcomes and increased efficiencies throughout the project lifecycle.

We seek to build lasting relationships with our clients.

In 1987, OEI’s first municipal client was the City of Farmers Branch, Texas, for which OEI was engaged to provide specialized civil engineering analysis, modeling, and design services for several neighborhood street reconstructions and to provide floodplain and drainage remediation on its municipal golf course.  Nearly 40 years later, OEI continues to serve the city and its residents.

Featured Engineering Projects

Outpatient Clinic Main Building Comprehensive Renovation at Waco Veterans Affairs Medical Center (TX)

Enlisted Unaccompanied Housing Renovations at Fort Sill (OK)

Community Living Center New Design at Big Spring Veterans Affairs Medical Center (TX)

Brigade and Battalion Headquarters Renovations at Fort Hood (TX)

Campus Water System Upgrade at Tucson VA Health Care System (AZ)

Our team of Professional Engineers (PE) and LEED Accredited Professionals embody OEI’s foundation built on continuous improvement, competency, teamwork, ownership (of the project/project goal), and ethical behavior. Since approximately 70% of our work is support work in critical, high-priority – and high trafficked – areas including medical/healthcare campuses and military installations, OEI understands the need to minimally impact the ongoing operations of a facility, while we support the project needs.

Client: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Location: Waco, Texas

Facility: 6-story, 68,000 SF outpatient clinic

Environment: Active healthcare campus 

Scope of Services

  • Full-service mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and civil engineering, architecture
  • Construction Phase Services provided throughout renovation

Civil Engineering Highlights

  • Redesigned 2.5-acre parking lot with:
    • Concrete pavement replacement
    • New loading dock and reconfigured layout
    • 212 parking spaces across four drive aisles
    • Added crosswalks and curb/gutter for improved pedestrian flow

MEP Engineering Highlights

  • Designed chilled and domestic water systems:
    • Risers, pumps, and distribution piping
    • Integrated with remote campus HVAC loop
  • Delivered demolition and design drawings
  • Applied VA Design Guides and coordinated across trades
  • Provided equipment and piping calculations for comprehensive design analysis

OEI provided design services for two barracks renovation projects at Fort Sill, totaling over 61,000 square feet. The work included comprehensive mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and life-safety upgrades to meet UFC and ATFP standards. Each building had a different delivery method – full design to include Construction Phase Services for one and Design Build RFP development for the other. One of the facilities required historic preservation compliance. Scope included designing new chilled water pipe assemblies; hydronic heating/cooling systems, heating boilers, domestic hot water boilers, hot water storage, and plumbing systems; exhaust, fire alarm, fire sprinkler, building control, and energy monitoring systems; and, integrated Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS), air handlers, fan coil units, and HVAC equipment for dormitory spaces. (2023)

OEI developed a conceptual design for Phase 3 of the CLC project, expanding on prior Phase I and II developments with a 10-bed cottage of approximately 8,800 SF. As a “Life-Safety Protected” facility, the design ensured compliance with NFPA 101 occupancy standards while addressing infrastructure and sustainability goals. MEP scope of work including upgrading infrastructure: electrical, sewer, and HVAC systems; incorporating LEED Silver considerations into design; and, sustainable design principles for energy efficiency, water conservation, and environmentally responsible construction. (2024)

Client: U.S. Army
Location: Fort Cavazos, Texas
Facilities: B42000 (converted to Brigade HQ) and B41003 (converted to Battalion HQ)
Environment: Active military installation
Scope of Services
  • Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and civil engineering design; Architecture, interior design
  • 100% design documents and Construction Phase Services
  • Value Engineering Study (B42000) and cost estimating for both buildings
  • Adjusted construction packaging to accommodate evolving project priorities

MEP Engineering Highlights

  • Designed new HVAC and hydronic cooling/heating systems
  • New chilled water distribution system connected to existing chiller
  • Integrated with campus chilled water loop
  • Electrical: New power, lighting, and telecommunications systems
  • Plumbing: Full replacement of domestic water, waste/vent, and gas piping

Civil Engineering Highlights

  • ADA-compliant sidewalks and ramps
  • Dumpster pads, trench drain, and stormwater mitigation
  • HMAC pavement replacement and subgrade repair
  • Mechanical yard fencing replacement
  • HMAC service yard replacement and subgrade repair
  • Upgraded fencing to meet DoD Force Protection standards

Cost Management

  • Milestone-based cost estimating enabled fund redistribution between buildings prior to bid

 

Very Good Quality CPARS: “[OEI] put a huge amount of effort in trying to provide a quality product against adversities encountered…always open to coordinate and find ways to address [end customer] comments.”

Following OEI’s successful Phase I design, Phase II replaced aging waterlines and valves across the hospital campus—many dating back to 1928. Construction was carefully phased to maintain uninterrupted water service.
  • Replaced ~2,000 LF of 8–12″ pipe and 30 underground valves
  • Removed dead legs and corroded ductile iron mains
  • Coordinated civil and plumbing work with hospital operations to minimize disruption