March 2009

$849,980

Completed

Bamyan

RC-East

Project Description

2 km Asphalt Road to the New Bamyan City Facilities

Project Goals

The goal of the project is to provide the people of Aghanistan accessibility to the New Bamyan City, where governmental officials as well as educational facilities will be located. This project will greatly assist with efforts in legitimizing GIRoA in Bamyan Province. Comments: PM/COR SFC Joseph Ramos

The road construction will be 14 meter width, with a 1.5 meter ditch and install culverts as required.

Results

Results unknown.

Updates

Apr 30 2009 Summary. Received the approved contract from CJTF 101 KO today, and scheduled a meeting 011330MAY09, with Afghan Bam Construction Company (ABCC) and DoPW Janzad for signing of the contract. The objective for having DoPW Janzad present is to bring the contractor and department responsible for the future maintenance and operation cost of this project together to discuss any questions they may have regarding construction. We will also discuss with the contractor for DoPWs department engineers to assist in conducting QA/QC of the project. May 1 2009 Individuals Involved: MAJ Cribb, DoPW Janzad and ABCC Director Mohammed Nadir

History: The provincial governance here in Bamyan has indicated numerous times that they would like to be included in the contractual process, in order for them to assist with ensuring projects are constructed properly. We asked DoPW Janzad if he would be willing to assign one of his engineers to assist the PRT in conducting QA/QC of the New Bamyan City Road, since his department will be responsible for the maintenance of this project upon completion. Janzad indicated to us that he had nothing personal against the company, but was skeptical if ABCC could manage such a project, however if the company proved to produce quality work, he would be glad to assign and engineer to assist.

Summary: Janzad and I met with ABCCs Director Mohammed Nadir to discuss the contract and our request to have the department of public work assist with QA/QC since the department will be responsible for the maintenance of the road in the future. Janzad informed Nadir that he was skeptical the company could manage and produce a quality project, because the company had failed to provide the department paperwork from a snow and ice clearance job for Hajigak Pass. Nadir explained the paperwork was submitted three times, but if the department does not have this he would ensure the Janzad received a copy. Janzad agreed to assist with QA/QC if the company shows quality work at the beginning of the project; otherwise he does not want his department associated with having selected ABCC to conduct the project.\r

Before we proceeded with signing the contract, I asked Nadir if he had any reservations about producing a quality product and the department of public work assisting with QA/QC, of which we would draft a memorandum of agreement for each of us to sign. Nadir indicated he did not have any issues with this type of agreement and indicated it was important for the department to be involved since they will be responsible for the project.

We reviewed each page of the contract before Nadir signed. ABCC has until 11 May 2009 to provide us with the designs and a detailed QA/QC for the project. After we have received these documents, we will share this information with Janzad for his input. 

May 2 2009 Individuals Involved: MAJ Cribb, ABCC Director Mohammed Nadir

Summary: Provided Director Nadir with a copy of the signed contract and statement of work. Nadir indicated he has contacted Kabuls MoPW and asked for ministrys engineers to assist his engineers with developing a quality design, since this is a very important part of the project. Nadir also asked why we were including the government in the project, when they have not been involved with previous projects. I explained that the government signs for the projects and assumes responsibility, and they need to have more interaction with the project since they are ultimately responsible. Nadir indicated that the contractors have a concern with government involvement due to corruption. I indicated that while corruption may exist, in order for security and development to continue in Bamyan, it is important to have a strong infrastructure which includes good governance for the people. I encouraged him to report any corruption he may be aware of to the Bamyan authorities, and he would be welcomed to share this information with us as well. However, I reminded him that a resolution regarding corruption would need to be resolved between the people and the governance of Bamyan. 

Forwarded copies of the SNIC SOW and payments made as well as a copy of the New Bamyan City Road Contract to DoPW Janzad. Janzad had requested the SNIC information IOT begin developing a plan to clear snow for the upcoming winter. We will meet later this month to discuss future SNIC in Bamyan.

May 4 2009 Summary. The contractor had the engineers from Kabul conducted a two hour inspection of requirements for road construction, IOT assist in the design process. The contractor and I discussed the requirements for culverts and what was expected. We should have the design in hand by 11 May 09 and if the designs are good, construction will begin approximately 15 May 09. 

May 21 2009 Individuals Involved. MAJ Cribb, DoPW Janzad, Engineer Saeed Mohammad (ABCC Engineer), Nadir (Director of ABCC), Britt Reed (AED Representative)

Summary. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the designs provided by ABCC with the DoPWs input. Britts review of the design revealed the proposed culverts and drainage ditch were not of the same depth (culverts depth were twice the drainage ditch). This was a concern because of the potential for silt to collect thus causing standing water. The designs that were provided by ABCC were developed by the Ministry of Public Works in Kabul, thus DoPW Janzad indicated they could not go against them. The discussion continued for a few minutes, and then it was decided to have the culvert depth .5 meters deeper than the drainage ditch, but .5 meters wider which would alleviate the potential for silt build up as well as easier to clean. ABCC agreed to provide us and the DoPW with the new culvert design for approval within a week, but would begin road construction Sunday 24 May 09. 

DoPW Janzad has agreed to assist with the QA/QC of the project and we all agreed to meet 23 May 09 to sign a Memorandum of Agreement between DoPW, ABCC and PRT. The MoA will outline the roles of the DoPW Engineers (who will be identified by name) and PRT engineers to ensure consistent QA/QC is performed IAW the SOW and design plan. We look forward to having the department of public works assisting with QA/QC as well as including other departments with future projects as the military part of PRT becomes more transparent.

Jun 3 2009 Summary: Conducted an inspection of the site today at the request of the contractor. There is some discrepancy as to who is responsible for the planning of the road. The Ministry of Public Works is trying to propose a route for the road that is drastically different from what was proposed and is now being implemented. Discussed this with the Director of Urban Planning and he confirmed the plans that we are currently acting on and also confirmed that he is the lead agency for the road. This issue appears to be resolved however, will continue to monitor the situation. At the site the contractor was questioned on the next ten days plan which will include verification of previous survey markings and excavation of drainage ditches. The contractor had some gravel being delivered to the site for concrete works and this appeared to be of sufficient quality. 

Jul 8 2009 Under Construction, work progressing Aug 16 2009 Work Progressing Oct 14 2009 Site visit with SGT Hull and Engineer Bill Stratton. Spoke with an indepenent lab for testing of the substrate for the road. Viewed construction quality and completion. Road is approximately 90% complete, pending asphault and final compaction of the road sub-surfaces. New approximate completion date is estimated at 30 NOV 2009. Nov 23 2009 21NOV09: 4th payment made to contractor. 75% completion 212,494 USD.

Balance due to date: 304,893 USD Dec 23 2009 Halted for winter Jan 27 2010 Remains halted for winter. Feb 15 2010 Still halted for winter. MEDIA UPLOADED Mar 12 2010 Construction has not restarted from winter halt. Mar 31 2010 COnstruction scheduled to start 31 March due to weather. Projected end date is 21 April 2010. 

May 6 2010 Media files updated with IPR's and site visit MFR's from March to May 2010 May 17 2010 Contractor is 95% done the porject. Paving is 98% complete, conducted a site visit 14 May 2010. Discussed punch list items with the contractor and tying the new road into the existing road. Paving is acceptable, they continually get better at they place more asphalt. 

May 26 2010 Through extensive site visits and contractor meetings it has been determinded that the projct is 2-3 weeks behind schedule. The contractor is scheduled to provide PRT Bamyan with a get well plan that have the project finishing on time. The contractor has hired a new project manager and consultant to accomplish this task. 3 crush plants have been delivered on site and are in the processin of being erected. This is considered a critical task in timely completion of the contract. earthmoving operations are progress over a 5 KM section of road. A Jirgha was held 18 May to resolve land use agreements. GIRoA, DSG and head of Shira were on site to accomplish this task. All involved parties signed the agreement and this matter is considered closed. 

May 29 2010 Major construction has been commpleted on this project. A site visit was conducted and a punch list compiled to close out the project. PLanned opening date of tis road is 5 June 2010. Punch list work and opening are being coordinated through the contractor. 

Jun 5 2010 Punch list was completed and the road was opened for traffic on 5 June 2010. Project closeout is underway. 

Jun 12 2010 Punch list was completed and the road was opened for traffic on 5 June 2010. Project closeout is underway. Jun 20 2010 Punch list was completed and the road was opened for traffic on 5 June 2010. Project closeout is underway. 

Jun 28 2010 Project is complete, awaiting final payment to hit to close project. 

Jul 10 2010 Project is complete, fimnal payment has hit the bank. Awaiting GioRA signatures on closeout paperwork to close project in CIDNE 

Jul 17 2010 Project is complete, final payment has hit the bank. Awaiting GioRA signatures on closeout paperwork to close project in CIDNE 

Aug 18 2010 Awaiting signature from GIRoA. Some debate on who is responsible. DoPW refused to sign. Meeting with Provincial Governor and Bamian Mayor to sort out. 

Sep 18 2010 Construction is complete, the project close out letters have been sent to GIRoA for signatures. Once thius is complete the project will be closed in CIDNE. 

Oct 3 2010 Construction is complete, the project close out letters have been signed and input in CIDNE. There is a contract dispute, it is currently with the KO awaiting resolution. 

Oct 20 2010 Construction is complete, the project close out letters have been signed and input in CIDNE. There is a contract dispute, it is currently with the KO awaiting resolution 

Nov 3 2010 Construction is complete, the project close out letters have been signed and input in CIDNE. There is a contract dispute, it is currently with the KO awaiting resolution 

Nov 18 2010 SFC Ramos has assumed the responsibilities as PM for this project as of 17 November 2010. Contract dispute has not been resolved as 17 Noveber 2010. Dispute is currently with the KO (CPT Emerson)and resolution is expected within 30 days. Once the dispute is resolved, the project will be closed out in CIDNE. 

Nov 29 2010 Contract dispute has not been resolved as 29 November 2010. Dispute is currently with the KO (CPT Emerson)and resolution is expected within 30 days. Once the dispute is resolved, the project will be closed out in CIDNE. 

12 DEC 2010, THIS PROJECT WAS 100% COMPLETED, BUT THE PROJECT IS STILL IN DISPUTE, AWAITING FOR THE RESULT OF THE DISPUTE. NO CONTACT TO THE CONTRACTOR UNTIL THIS TIME.

20 DEC 2010, THIS PROJECT WAS 100% COMPLETED, BUT THE PROJECT IS STILL IN DISPUTE, AWAITING FOR THE RESULT OF THE DISPUTE. NO CONTACT TO THE CONTRACTOR AT THIS TIME.

25 Jan 2011, Waiting for the GIRoA turn over to be signed, as soon as the document be signed by the GIRoA the project can be closed out. HOWEVER, the project is still in dispute I Meet with Capt Rebecca Emerson and SFC Pablo Ravizzoli both USA Centcom Contacting Officer in Bagram Air Force base(BAF) on 22 Jan 2011. The topic that we talk about "the Bitumen price escalation", which is in review. Submitted the bitumen price escalation documents to the Contracting Officers.

03 FEB 2011, THIS PROJECT NEEDS TO BE CLOSED OUT, ALL DOCUMENTS THAT SUPPORTS THE CLOSED OUT OF THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN UP LOADED HERE IN CIDNE.

06 FEB 2011,This project needs to be closed out. The document CLOSURE MEMO(Project Clearance Memo) has been up loaded today in CIDNE. All other documents that supports the close out of this project have been up loaded as well in CIDNE.

13 FEB 2011, Today at 0945 hrs, SFC QUICHOCHO coordinate with 2LT Dwyer due to the DD1081 that he needed to closeout this project. SFC Quichocho explained to 2LT Dwyer that since the method of payment is through Electronic Funds Transfer(EFT), DD1034 is all we needed from finance. This project needs to be closed out. All other documents that supports the close out of this project have been up loaded in CIDNE.

16 FEB 2011, As on 13 FEB 2011, it was explained that we do not need the DD form 1081, since the method of payment was through Electronic Funds Transfer(EFT). DD Form 1034 from the finance is all we needed to close this project

21 FEB 2011, Up loaded remaining documents for this project to be closed out.

21 March 2011, This project has been retrieved from "close out status",this project is still in dispute.The Contractor have submitted additional documents which some selected documents were translated to English and re-submitted to the Contracting Officer, SFC Pablo Ravizzoli of BAF. There is no new decision in this project. This project is still in review status.

24 March 2011, Up loaded the Final Desion from Contracting Officer, Capt Rebecca M. Emerson dated 19 Feb 2011(the year "2010" is wrong). Contractor signed the decision. William Stratton and SFC Ramos, project PM, explained word by word what was the content of the decision to the contractor. The contractor send us a supporting documents in which it was translated to English by a Level II linguist. The documents was forwarded to the NEW Contracting Officer, SFC Pablo L. Ravizzoli of Baghram. Still waiting a decision at this time.

16 April 2011, 1LT Patterson, TF Patriot Bamyan Province PPO meet with SFC Ravizzoli regarding the result of this project which still in dispute. The doucuments have been re-sent again to SFC Ravizzolli as per his request. This project cannot be closed due to the on going dispute.

15 May 2011, Still waiting for a final decision.

06 June 2011, Meet with the new contracting officer Mr Steven Rounds, explained the situation about this project on dispute

21 June 2011, Up loaded final decision from the Contracting Officer 13 June 2011. Contactor was notified and given a copy of the final decision regarding the project dispute signed by the new Contracting Officer, Mr Steven Rounds. The Contractor has been denied with all his claimed. This project is closed.

24 June 2011, Up loaded approved closure ADR.