ALKHOBAR, 22 April 2003 — The US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the award of a multimillion-dollar Iraq emergency infrastructure repair and rehabilitation, otherwise referred to as capital construction, contract to San Francisco, California-based Bechtel. The initial award for this capital construction contract to Bechtel is $34.6 million, though it provides for funding of up to $680 million over 18 months. Funding is subject to US Congressional authority and availability.
The contract calls for the repair, rehabilitation or reconstruction of vital elements of Iraq’s infrastructure. This includes assessment and repair of power generation facilities, electrical grids, municipal water systems and sewage systems. There is also a provision in the contract for the rehabilitation or repair of airport facilities, and the dredging, repair and upgrading of the Umm Qasr seaport, in close cooperation with other USAID contractors working in those sectors. The contract may also involve responsibility for the repair and reconstruction of hospitals, schools, selected ministry buildings and major irrigation structures, as well as restoration of essential transport links. This is one of eight initial requests for proposals (RFPs) issued by USAID as part of its overall relief and reconstruction efforts in Iraq.
“Bechtel is honored to have been selected, through a competitive process, by USAID to help bring humanitarian assistance, economic recovery and infrastructure to help the Iraqi people,” said Tom Hash, president, Bechtel National, Inc.
It is anticipated that Bechtel will work through subcontractors on a number of these tasks after identifying specific needs. Through all of its activities, Bechtel will also engage the Iraqi population and work to build local capacity.
According to a spokesperson for Bechtel National, Valerie Kazanjian, “Bechtel is currently working with USAID, first to prioritize and detail or scope out the work. Then we will prepare and send out what we call work packages that explain/outline what we see as our anticipated needs. These packages will go to all potential subcontractors as soon as they are identified. We then will launch a process of full and open competition and international bidding processes with all qualified contractors as soon as possible.”
Kazanjian stated that Bechtel National will be subcontracting work in all areas of the capital construction contract. Companies in the Middle East will be considered for subcontracts if they meet Bechtel’s qualifications. Companies interested in subcontracting work in Iraq should register at https://supplier.bechtel.com/bni/usaid/. Individuals, both men and women, interested in employment on the Bechtel USAID contract may register at http://www.bechtel.com/employment.html.