Power Grid Project at the Counter Narcotics Strip Mall in Kabul: Construction Met Contract Requirements but Electrical System Was Not Deemed Operable Until More Than 18 Months After Project Completion
Abstract
This report discusses the results of SIGARs inspection of a power grid project intended to support the eight law enforcement compounds located at the Counter Narcotics Strip Mall in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Department of States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) funded and administered this project. Although the project was completed within budget and met contract performance standards, we found that the power grid was not tested or deemed operable until January 2015. This was over 18 months after the projects completion in June 2013. INL officials cited protracted discussions with Afghan power authorities concerning repairs to connecting power lines and a one-time hook-up fee as the basis for this delay. In addition to this problem, INL had a payment dispute with the contractorBSCEC JV MSCC. A negotiated settlement was eventually reached after funds appropriated for the contract expired. When current year funds become available, INL intends to pay the contractors final invoice of approximately $53,000 and the associated minor interest penalty under the Prompt Payment Act. In commenting on a draft of this report, INL stated that completing the power grid project after the warranty period had expired was not the ideal situation, but the reasons for the delay were largely beyond its control. INLs comments are reproduced in appendix II.SIGAR conducted this inspection under the authority of Public Law No. 110-181, as amended, and the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended; and in accordance with the Quality Standards for Inspection and Evaluation, published by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1140102
Entities
People
- John Sopko
Organizations
- Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction