$350M to Oversee Iraq’s Military Infrastructure Build-Out

Sadr City, Baghdad

The Government of Iraq has requested technical assistance services from the US military to ensure provision of adequate facilities and infrastructure in support of the recruitment, garrison, training, and operational facilities and infrastructure for the Iraqi Security Forces. This proposed sale would enable Iraq to support the recruitment, training, bed-down, and operational effectiveness of its military, supporting its mission to improve security and stability throughout Iraq. In many cases, the facilities under construction will include civilian infrastructure and dual-use facilities as well. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $350 million.

On May 18/07, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of Iraq’s request [PDF format]. Construction help seems like an odd request, but a mature procurement system that offers good project management skills, has a tested regulatory and oversight system to back it up that’s based on appropriate laws, and is relatively free from corruption takes time to build. Indeed, one can argue that this has been absent from significant periods in American history.

The contractors have not been chosen yet, but the executing agency has…

Up to $40.3M from USMC for M136-AT4 Rockets

A Swedish rocket
(click to view larger)

Saab Bofors Dynamics AB in Karlskoga, Sweden received a $7.1 million firm fixed priced requirements contract for the production, testing, and delivery of M136 (AT4) portable anti-armor rockets, which weigh 15 pounds each (see also Army inspection guide | effectiveness guidelines). The base year orders a maximum quantity of 3,500 production units, and associated technical data. This contract includes options, however, which would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $40.3 million if exercised.

Work will be performed in Karlskoga, Sweden, and is expected to be complete by May 2008. This contract was a sole source procurement by the Marine Corps Systems Command, Program Manager for Ammunition, Quantico, VA (M67854-07-D-1005). Now, aren’t we glad we decided not to complicate the relationship by selling to Venezuela on the side?

$16.1M for VA Parking Facility in Chicago

Joseph J. Henderson & Son, Inc. in Gurnee, IL received a $16.1 million firm-fixed price contract to design and build a Federal health care facility parking and infrastructure project at the North Chicago Veteran Affairs Medical Center. The work includes construction of a 4-story parking garage, a gatehouse and entry gates, utility relocations, a new site entry intersection on Green Bay Road with a traffic light, a south parking area, a retention pond and other related site work.

Work will be performed in North Chicago, IL and is expected to be complete by June 2008. This contract was competitively negotiated via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website, with 3 proposals received by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Midwest in Great Lakes, IL (N40083-07-C-0006).