Project Description

Refurbish 7 dams in the Yousef Khel District

Project Goals

Reason for Project: This project will repair existing water retention dams near Yousef Khel. Scope includes repairing a flood gate mechanism, seven dam retention walls, spillway reconstruction and expansion, and removing silt back-up to increase water retention capacity. This project will directly support the local population by retaining water for use through the summer. Yousef Khel district has a large agricuture economy that is critical to the Paktika leg of the ADZ. The single biggest hurdle in improving agriculture output is water; there is insufficient water availability to meet demands. Korezes, irrigation canals, and water retention dams have been severely damaged to due years of war and neglect. Repairing these dams will provide badly needed water through the summer, therefore allowing the agriculture industry to grow in Paktika with the effect of increasing the economic viability of the ADZ. Additionally, if this dam is not repaired, great potential for a humanitarian disaster exists if the dam fails.

Results

See media tab for detailed Contracting Officer's Determination explaining the history justifying Termination for Default.

Updates

Nov 7 2008 06 Nov 08 had meeting with contractor, subgovernor and ministir of irrigation concerning on going issues reguarding project start date. Dec 29 2008 29 Dec 08: PRT Paktika (CO, XO, Eng, USDA) attended Yosef Khel Shura with the minister of Irrigation (Red Beard), the SCRC contractor representative, Abdul Hadi, and the four village elders (all named Corleone) who are on the payroll of the contractor to advise, liaise, work out village issues, provide security and keep the locals in line. Results of meeting: everyone agreed that quality is of the utmost importance on the project. We (PRT) are also going to check on the prices the contractor is being made to pay for sand and stone from the local folks. We also agreed that the locals and the sub governor are welcome to take pictures of the project, but need to go through the PRT when issues come up. Too many people telling the contractor what to do will result in a poor project. We also made it clear that for the contractor to continue work he will need a mechanical mixer on location and be using it. The elders agreed to"try" to ensure the security of the concrete mixer. Apr 16 2009 17 Mar: Met with Ktr, he has plan and is beginning work 19 Mar. 

 Jun 16 2009 Sug-Governor coordinated with KTR to supply 40 security guards from village.

E to A Culvert, Backfilling behind dam A

Bid item for security (is it in the original contract), requested 10% invoice

Attitude from elders ensuring safety of workforce

Changed meeting to every week until progress is satisfactory Jul 21 2009 Contractor is to receive signed letter from locals guaranteeing security, possibly by 22 Jul 2009.

Contractor needs to submit changes to spillway.

Contractor met with elders Roze Mohammad, Haji Fati, Akramudin, Hakeem Jan, Haji Malikdin, and Salam Khan on 21 Jul 2009. They guranteed the support of the local villagers for the project. Jul 26 2009 Uncorfirmed word received that Contractor received approval from local tribal elders to continue project. Contractor supposedly to begin working 26JUL2009. Aug 1 2009 20090731: Today met with the contractor for the Yosef Khel dam. Contractor provided letter from the tribal elders attesting to their support in the project. Contractor then stated he would be unable to complete the project because the Taliban were interfering. Contractor stated a village elder had gone to Pakistan to seek out a Taliban chief to have him stop attacks on the project. This is unconfirmed. PRT advised the contractor that he had one week beyond the election to resume work without interruption or face termination of his contract.

LT JEREMY R. POTTS CEC USN PRT ENGINEER Aug 27 2009 20090827: Visited site today. No visible signs of work since July. Putting together paperwork to terminate contract and award to new contractor to complete the job -LT Potts Sep 3 2009 Security Update:

Contractor is having trouble guaranteeing security due to AAF strong hold in the area.

Progress Report:

No progress has been completed due to security issues.

Project Schedule:

Contractor was given 15 days or till 18 Sep 09 to resolve security issues or the project will be cancelled.

Misc:

With continued delays due to the AAF, this project will be cancelled if the contractor and the local residents can not find a solution to the security issues. Nov 13 2009 Progress Report:

Demolish Dam B spillway - stop work immediately until submitted design is approved.

Project Schedule:

Excavation equipment arrived on 4 Nov around 12:00PM. KTR will follow the priority list that was provided by the PRT.

Material Testing:

Compaction tests will be of the same frequency as contract.

Design:

Spillway design will be submitted for PRT review and approval.

Misc:

KTR will contact the PRT if any deviation from scheduled meeting time is anticipated.