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.”

GCC are almost as bad as the KBR Ex-Pats who failed to make GCC do what they were supposed to.

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.

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?