KBR came to the rescue?? A bit overstated I think!
Pentagon Inspector General Probes Afghan Headquarters Contract
By Tony Capaccio
July 6, 2009 (Bloomberg) — The Defense Department’s Inspector General is probing allegations that the Army Corps of Engineers accepted a $28.7 million headquarters building in Kabul, Afghanistan, with leaking pipes, sinking sidewalks and unusable bathrooms, according to documents and congressional testimony.
“The only way you could physically approve it is not be physically there,” said Michael Thibault, chairman of the Commission on Wartime Contracting.
The Corps of Engineers signed off on the building in February 2008 even with “major issues — septic, electrical, ceiling tiles falling down,” Thibault told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s national security subcommittee in June. “These are big deals.”
The Pentagon is probing the contract as the U.S. military increases its presence to about 68,000 from 57,000 troops as part of President Barack Obama’s strategy to boost security in Afghanistan. The building is occupied by U.S. military personnel.
The Inspector General’s office is reviewing whether the Corps of Engineers “properly monitored constructor performance” and should have taken action against the contractor “because of latent defects, negligence or fraud,” according to a June 15 memo for U.S. commanders from Paul Granetto, principal assistant inspector general for auditing.
Thibault’s commission, which was set up by Congress in 2008 to investigate potential contracting abuses in Iraq and Afghanistan, requested the probe.
Extensive Problems
Commission representatives who visited the facility in April observed problems so extensive that “the Army should not have accepted a building in such condition,” according to the commission’s first report on potential fraud, waste and abuse.
The contract to design and build the facility was given to privately held Zafer Construction Co., of Ankara, Turkey. Zafer Construction General Manager Necati Yagci said in an e-mail that the company “believes there is no basis” for the commission’s criticisms. The Corps of Engineers gave the company a rating of “outstanding” for the project, he said.
The wartime contracting commission’s report said the building had “structural cracks, improper plumbing — and thus unusable bathrooms — incorrectly sized sewer system, broken and leaking pipes, sinking sidewalks and other construction defects.”
KBR Inc., the Army’s largest contractor in Iraq and Afghanistan, was hired to correct much of the allegedly poor work, Thibault said.
“KBR came to the rescue, but that’s all rework,” he said.
Paying for Repairs
Houston-based KBR was paid almost $2 million for its work, company spokeswoman Heather Browne said in an e-mail.
KBR employees found deficiencies with electrical systems and plumbing, including water pumps that were incorrectly wired so they would wear out quickly and a lack of circuit interrupters that reduce risks of electric shock, Browne said.
Corps of Engineers spokesman Eugene Pawlik, in a statement, disputed the commission’s conclusions.
“Currently, the allegations of poor workmanship have not been substantiated, either during construction or after occupation,” Pawlik said. “It appears Zafer Construction has met quality control, quality assurance and warranty requirements.” Zafer Construction, at its own expense, provided “necessary and routine repairs,” Pawlik said
Zafer Construction received the contract in September 2006. Throughout the project, the Corps of Engineers “fulfilled its responsibilities to ensure the contractor implemented effective quality control,” Pawlik said.
‘Cosmetic’ Damage
Cracks cited by the commission “were cosmetic only and promptly repaired,” he said.
The government contracting commission “referred the matter to the Department of Defense Inspector General’s office” because “we don’t think what we observed was up to standard,” said Robert Dickson, the commission’s chief of staff.
Yagci said Zafer Construction “will cooperate with any review process, is reviewing the specific allegations and is responding to requests for documentation” to demonstrate that the company “adhered to all specifications.” (click HERE to read original article)
I guess that whole “KBR came to rescue” statement just rubs me the wrong way. For how many millions did “KBR come to rescue”? 2 million was it? There is no doubt that an American contractor could have built it better. But again, you have that whole low bid thing and the total lack of DoD oversight. Was KBR the general contractor on this? Still too many unanswered questions.
My personal experience with several different Turkish contractors…..I could do better with a crew of 6 year olds from my grandsons kindergarten class.
Ms Sparky
Monday, July 6th 2009 at 7:30 pm |
Ms Sparky
This story really makes me want to puke. I have been in Iraq for about 9 months now and so much of the tax dollar waste is making me sick. It seems that just about everytime we award a contract to a contractor besides KBR, we get to pay double. This is unacceptable to me. It really isn’t that difficult to insure that we are getting what we are paying for. The answer lie’s with building inspection’s that take place from day one of construction. This starts with professionals within each trade that review the project drawings to include, building review, egress plans, plumbing plans, electrical plans, fire prevention plans, etc. This should be step one before the first piece of dirt is moved. Once the plan review has been approved (by professional’s of the trades) construction can begin. Once construction begins there are many inspections that should take place through out the different stages of construction. I know that this seems fimilar because this is how we do it in the states. Without this process the construction waste will continue, we will pay multiple times for the same project.
I think that you should re-think your comments regarding KBR in this perticular article. Almost everyone of the contracts that get awarded to companys other than KBR, include O&M (maintenance) for 6 months and then the GOV. ask’s (force)KBR to take over the O&M on these facilities that do not meet any code. WTF
When and who is going to start using some common sense over here. It is really pretty ridiculous, and this is just one issue, I could go on and on. I hope that we all understand the kind of building we would have constructed back in the states for $28.7 million dollars. With the inspection process that I mentioned, we would not have paid an extra $2 million to anyone else, as there would have been a punch list of issue’s to be fixed before the project was accepted and paid for.
Why is those so difficult?
Tuesday, July 7th 2009 at 1:27 am |
We have a DFAC here at the NEC, New Emabssy Compound that is almost brand new and it is a piece of shit. The doors are broken,Plumbing,blackwater installed wrong, you name it!!KBR signed off on this building without a TI. QA/QC should be fired for this since it will cost a lot more to fix than building it did. And it’s still under warranty by GCC but KBR is making the repairs under service orders?
Tuesday, July 7th 2009 at 2:27 am |
Yeap, That is one of my points as well. Why is GCC not being held responsible, and why should we (taxpayers) pay KBR to fix the issue’s and take the O&M. When it comes to these contract’s KBR ulitmately ends up having to TI them, and almost always start over and take the O&M. I don’t get it. You know the old saying that “shit rolls down hill” well I think it is time for people to push the shit back up hill. “To the top”
Tuesday, July 7th 2009 at 5:09 am |
Common Sense said,on July 7th, 2009 at 2:27 am Yeap, That is one of my points as well. Why is GCC not being held responsible, and why should we (taxpayers) pay KBR to fix the issue’s and take the O&M.
Gulf Catering Company for General Trade and Contracting (GCC SERVICES)
As a subsidiary of Agility Defense & Government Services, GCC Services provides comprehensive site management and resources for government clients throughout international locations.
Huntsville, Ala., – September 6, 2008 – Agility Defense & Government Services (DGS) today announced the appointment of retired Army Lt. Gen. Joseph M. Cosumano Jr. as president and CEO of its Taos Industries subsidiary. Cosumano succeeds John Hamilton, who becomes chief operating officer at Taos under a company restructuring. Taos, based in Huntsville, provides logistics services to the Department of Defense, NATO and other customers. “Taos offers crucial services to DoD and militaries in allied countries,” said Dan Mongeon, president and CEO of Agility DGS. “Joe’s four decades of leadership in the private sector and the Army, along with his deep ties to the Huntsville community, will help Taos strengthen its relationships with some of its most valued customers.
http://www.agilitylogistics.com/EN/DGS/Pages/Agility_AboutUs_Subsidiaries.aspx?p=DGSAboutUs
LTG Cerjan was President of the National Defense University from August 1992 until July 1994 when he retired from the U. S. Army after 34 years of distinguished service. He spent the majority of his military career in command and senior staff positions in seven different divisions in the US Army. Other assignments included serving as the Deputy Commander in Chief, US Army, Europe and Seventh Army; Commander, 21st Theater Army Area Command in Kaiserslautern, Germany, and Commandant of the Army War College, and two tours in Vietnam. From July 2004 until July 2005 he was the Vice President and Program Manager for the KBR LOGCAP Program in 9 countries in the Mid East, principally Iraq and Afghanistan. From April 2006 until January 2008 he was the President of L-3 Government Services Inc.
Tuesday, July 7th 2009 at 9:03 am |
GCC at TQ are a disaster, a plumber had to nearly call the elctrician out to disconnect the large water heaters in one DFAC because they had the blow off lines CAPPED OFF. Supposedly there was a leak and instead of ficing the valve, they just capped the lines off and in effect created a bomb if the safety valve had gone off. They refused to fix the issue at first and expected it to just blow by as usual because nobody ever enforces standards on them. They were dumping filthy waste water on the floor causing a slip hazard as well as a contamination risk because others were walking through the filth and going into the salad prep and fruit and veg area. They refused to fix anything until HSE and QA dropped in and things happened FAST.
GCC are almost as bad as the KBR Ex-Pats who failed to make GCC do what they were supposed to.
Tuesday, July 7th 2009 at 12:59 pm |
Although KBR has several pending lawsuits that equal the national debt, The issues regarding the embassy are typical of Turkish construction practices. The same can be said about the hospital project at Bagram Airfield. KBR had warned the military electrical standards were possibly not going to be up any standards. After construction was completed KBR was asked to repair the electrical issues at the hospital, constructed by the Turks.
The American Embassy project had several onsite ACOE staff members who were directly responsible for construction oversight. Cosmetics are one issue and building materials possible structural failure is another. Of course this does not explain the possible lack off or a faulty soils report, compaction, lack of vibrating during monolithic pours, batch mix design, aggregate size and inspection of the batch plant itself with associated testing standard and practices. Ref: (ASTM C1064, C172, C143, C138, C231, C173, C31 and ACI-318)
KBR does have qualified electricians in theatre but as far KBR management saving the day… credit belongs to those who suddenly grew a set of balls for the first time and left the confines of the base and completed the repairs. KBR Management didn’t perform the work or take the risk of being shot at while passing by Massoud Circle like the military everyday. Incidentally, Massoud Circle just happens to be a place where suicide bombers like to martyr themselves with a one-way ticket to meet Allah.
Most of this could have been alleviated during the plan check process of foreign design standards before construction ever began. Even with this being said foreign workers will say YES and do something else when you turn your back for a moment. You have to stand over these people and watch them like hawks and not retire back to your office and never taking for granted they are ever doing it right.
The ACOE and KBR should follow W. Shakespeare’s advice: “Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.”
Tuesday, July 7th 2009 at 7:12 pm |
Bamboo Remembers is so right. Anyone who has been at Speicher and visited the North D-Fac has seen what was supposed to have been a ‘new’ PX built back in 2004-2005. It’s a prime example of what hiring local (Middle Eastern) contractors will get you. Although beyond repair (and still standing – er, I mean leaning), the building cannot be destroyed because of on-going litigation due to poor engineering and sub-standard building practices. A group of blind people could have done a far better job – it’s that bad and is the poster child of why hiring local contractors is NOT always in the best interest of the client or anyone else.