Dec. 2011

$72,000

Completed

Uruzgan

RC-South

Project Description

No project description provided.

Project Goals

4AUG2011: 

The CA PRT Team conducted a mission to the village of Bidak Karez (41 SQS 6745 1756) to follow up on project planning of a proposed flood wall initiated by the prior PRT. 

The 1st phase of the wall was recently completed by MRRD (according to the local Maliks). The 2nd phase would continue the flood wall (North to South). The length of where the wall would be built and the GRID coordinates are as follows: Beginning: (41 SQS 67210 18174) Mid Point: (41 SQS 67195 18019) End: (41 SQS 67164 17893). The approximate length of the wall is 300 meters and the height would be roughly 5 feet. The Maliks stated another flood wall would have to be built on the west side of the river so the crops are not destroyed which they stated is promised by MRRD. The proposed PRT Flood Wall is only on the east side of the river bed. 

We were also shown the Karez on the east side of the village (41 SQS 67039 18167). The water appeared to be clean and was flowing smoothly. It did not appear to be blocked. LCDR Carney retrieved water samples from the Karez due to the fact it is a source of drinking water and also provides irrigation to their crops. 

The Maliks were very appreciative we were there to discuss the flood wall project - as their village was damaged severely last flood season. 

COMMENT: This flood wall project was discussed with Engineer Kabir (GIRoA) by LCDR Shipstad and he supports the construction and GIRoA has funded a separate wall there. 

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25JULY2012- Closed TK Finance / Uploaded 1034, 1081, 2265,

Results

Project successful. All locals happy with project results.

Updates

24SEP2011: SOW Complete 

25SEP2011: IGCE and Cost Methodology completed

28SEP2011: Legal Review completed and signed by the Judge Advocate

30SEP2011: MOA signed with MRRD

30SEP2011: LOJ Signed / Complete

1OCT2011: Tender Package Submitted to (4) Contracting Companies in Tarin Kot. Bid Tenders are due to PRT on 8OCT2011.

1OCT2011: Right of Entry memo signed by Landowners

13DEC2011: Project money has been withdrawn $70,000USD

15DEC2011: Mobilization Payment made (25% ootal cost)$17,494.19USD

31DEC2011: Quality Assurance Mission: The PRT team arrived at Bidak Karez and were then guided by (2) ANP officers to location of the flood protection wall.The Civil Affairs (CA) team observed the work had begun and there were workers currently working on the project. The team met with Atiqullah (Village Malik), Local Nationals working and one of the men, Abdul Hasib, stated that he was the project engineer and the site supervisor. He stated that he had approximately 30 workers currently working on the wall, and 20 that had previously worked on digging up the ground to set the foundation. He went on to state that most of the workers are from the local area. When questioned about the time remaining on the project, the site supervisor stated that the project should be completed in approximately 2 months. The Managed Works Engineer conducted a thorough assessment of the progress and also instructed the site supervisor of the proper amount of each part (sand, aggregate, water) to be used when mixing the cement. The stone pitched walls are constructed with a compacted foundation, internally placed granite rock bedded in with concrete, with a pitched granite rock outer, bedded in with sand and cement mix. This traditional type of construction is common practice and is something the local population do well. All dimensions were checked and no non-conformance was observed. It was noted that an additional canal irrigation feature was embedded into part of the wall. It was explained that this additional feature would not be paid for by the PRT as it was not part of the Statement of Work. There was a flood protection wall across from the current project site that was recently completed by MRRD. 

7JAN2012: CDR Mirza called the PRT and informed us the work was progressing well and they are 85% clete.

10JAN2012: CDR Mirza Called and advised the PRT they are now 100% clete. A Quality Assurance Mission is being scheduled in the near future. 

14JAN2012: Quality Assurance Mission - LCDR Carney's Comments - We saw to our surprise that MRRD had built 150 meters of the 300 meter wall that was being planned for that side of the wadi. We inspected the wall built with CERP funding (southern 150m section). Clearly the proper type of stone was used, and the rubble left in the wadi showed that stones were properly cut, angled, and shaped. In addition, from the discarded gravel and sand, also in the wadi, the cement had been prepared locally, and this cement that we could see on the top cap layer was mixed correctly. The earth around the foundation of the wall was filled in as per the required plans. The height to the fill was 1.42 meters, but the fill was placed so well and so high that clearly the 1.5 meter height above ground reference was the obvious true measurement, and thus the proper correct aspect ratio as per the plans. The width at the top of the wall was 1.05 meters, which corresponds well to the 1 meter width of the design. The foreman stated that the rocks were "from the mountain", which is the proper location to obtain good flood-wall stone. Obviously no rounded river rock had been used. The foundation was claimed to be one meter or more. Based on the fill and the endpoint we could see, there is no reason to dispute this claim. Clearly the flood wall is on solid ground, properly filled in around the foundation, and built to the specifications in the statement of work. We did not spend too much time with the MRRD wall, and several people were sitting on the border between the CERP and MRRD walls. Clearly the MRRD Wall is smaller by about 25cm in width and perhaps 0.5 meters in height. The foundation depth is unknown.

The completed CERP flood wall (per SOW) was GRIDed at 41SQS6716217909 (south) and 41SQS6720318053 (north). It correctly measured out to 150m in length. We discussed the issue of the northern 150m section of the wall with Rohullah (MRRD) who confirmed they funded our contracted northern 150m flood protection wall. He further confirmed the villagers were used as labourers and have already been paid for the work. NOTE: On the 31DEC2011 QA/QC Mission, Atiqullah met with the CA Team and showed them the northern 150m section (MRRD funded wall) as being the northern 150m "PRT Wall" at that time the CA Team had no way of knowing this wall was being paid by MRRD and it is unclear if Atiqullah intentionally withheld that information from the team in hopes of being paid twice or if it was a honest mistake leading us there. The CA Team had met with ENGR Hashim in SEP2011 and discussed our proposed CERP project in Bidak he agreed the wall was needed and signed the Memorandum of Understanding. We were aware MRRD was building another flood wall but was on the eastern side of the river bed (this wall was also observed on 14JAN2012 as being completed). The CA Team returned to the vehicles staged outside of the ANP CP to discuss payment options for the flood protection wall with CDR Mirza, Atiqullah, and Abdul Hasib (Foreman). We reviewed the Statement of Work (signed by CDR Mirza and Atiqullah on 30NOV2011) and explained the contract for $70,000 USD requires 300m of flood protection wall (two 150m sections) to be built by the contractor. CDR Mirza was claiming the SoW only required one 150m section to be built and the contract had been fulfilled. MA1 Safford showed the foreman (who understood and could read English) the SoW stated 300m total and he agreed. The foreman had a complete copy of the SoW with him. Since MRRD had built the first 150m section, we had two options: 1.CDR Mirza, Atiqullah, and Abdul Hasib build the next 150m section south of the current one to extend protection to the village farmland or 

2.Pay them $35k for the completed 150m section. A third option may exist in which LCDR Carney proposes the 150m section MRRD built, be brought up to the standards specified in the PRT SoW. CDR Mirza claims he has already spent ~$55k (not verified) on material and labor for the southern 150m section that was built. CDR Mirza stated the same workers were used on both 150m sections and MRRD has already paid them for the MRRD wall. CDR Mirza claims that if he can't pay what he owes the workers, then he can never return to his home village. OSC Mosquera made a payment of 828,500 AF (~$17.5k USD) to bring the total project payout to 50%, only half the project was completed. It was agreed the CA team would arrange meetings with ENGR Hashim (MRRD Director) to discuss the issue of MRRD building our contracted northern 150m section of the wall. CDR Mirza also stated he would go visit Hashim on his own today. 

17JAN2012: Meeting with ENGR Hashim (Director of Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development - MRRD). ENGR Hashim was contacted and asked to meet with the CA Team reference the issues recently discovered during the 14JAN QA/QC mission at the Bidak Karez Flood Protection Wall to include: 

1.MRRD funding a 150m section of the already CERP contracted / funded flood wall in Bidak Karez.

2.Resolutions in order for Bidak Karez to fulfil the remaining portion of the CERP contract.

ENGR Hashim advised CDR Mirza came to his office to discuss this matter after the Quality Assurance (QA) took place. He provided a handwritten letter from Mirza which provided the breakdown of costs ($56,000 USD) Mirza has spent already for the work performed this letter will be translated. Hashim explained the reason the flood wall contracted by MRRD is smaller than the CERP funded wall is that his engineers surveyed the riverbed and that portion does not require a wall as tall as the CERP requirements set forth in the Statement of Work. Hashim stated he would do the following: He and his engineers will meet with Mirza and suggest he build a separate flood wall (to MRRD standards) anywhere from 100-150m in length which is needed in the same riverbed. Hashim advised it is the opinion of MRRD the additional work which will be performed by Bidak Karez will equal the amount set forth in the CERP contract ($70,000 USD). Hashim advised he will provide the PRT with the updated information once discussing this with Mirza to include the location of the new wall and a cross-section diagram of their approved design. Once received, the PRT will update the CERP contract. 

19JAN2012: PRT contacted Mirza via telephone. He confirmed he has been in contact with ENGR Hashim (MRRD) who will be sending engineers to Bidak Karez to provide the plans for the new flood wall.

25JAN2012: The meeting with CDR Mirza was scheduled by the CA Team after receiving MRRD papers from ENGR Hashim on 21JAN2012 detailing the proposed additional 100m Flood Protection Wall in Bidak Karez. ENGR Hashim requested the PRT meet with CDR Mirza and pass the papers onto him.Mirza met with us at the PRT House and an Addendum to the Statement of Work (SoW) was drafted at the PRT and signed by the PRT Engineer (LCDR Carney) and the PPO (MA1 Safford) see Addendum on the CA Server. The Addendum stated Bidak Karez will build an additional 100m Flood Protection Wall and after successful completion, the original contract amount will be paid. This was based on previous meetings with ENGR Hashim and a review of the expenses Bidak Karez had spent to date on the first 150m section of the wall. Mirza reviewed the Addendum, agreed to the statement and signed the Addendum and for Atiqullah. LCDR Carney stressed due to the present extreme cold temperatures and snow not to conduct any cement work when the temperature is below 5 degrees Celsius, Mirza stated he understood. Mirza advised he will contact the CA Team when work begins. He further advised he will meet with ENGR Hashim once more and determine the best location for the wall. 

27JAN2012: The Tarin Kowt area is experiencing a severe frozen temperature period and approx. 3-4 inches of snow is on the ground. Work on the flood wall may not resume again until the weather improves. 

16MAR2012: The PRT CA Team departed MNBTK at 1000 hrs with the AUS OGA security as our escort to Bidak Karez and Kheyrabad. The first stopping point was Bidak Karez (41SQS67401750) to assess and provide an update to the Flood Protection Wall (CIDE # 20110812095401). The Bidak Karez project was last updated 14JAN2011 (project payment of 50% cletion from previous PRT). CA, AUS OGA and Slovak CA dismounted patrol to the flood wall project site. Project seems to be moving along smoothly and steady. CA asked what part of the wall they were working on, a few of the LN workers explained they were working on the base of the flood wall, once the base is complete they will work on the vertical part of the flood wall. The workers continued work as they said they had no complaints or issues. CA asked the whereabouts of the supervisor and how many days have they been working on the base. The workers replied that the supervisor was at the CP and they had been working for six days. The flood wall base was approximately 75% clete of the 100 meters. CA will contact the contractor to meet and review the updates and have him provide photos of the work a new completion date. 

09APR2012: The PRT Engineer and PRT CA conducted a final quality assurance inspection. The project was deemed complete and ready for final payment.

 

11APR2012: The PPO, LT Joel Overson, USN and PA, SFC Robert Campos, USA made final payment to contractor for remaining outstanding balance. 

22MAY2012: Final payment being processed and project being prepared for closure.