The mainstream press is starting to ask more serious questions about Trump’s wall beyond whether Mexico will pay for it.
Today’s Los Angeles Times has a story about an Arizona artist who has used the wall as a canvas as well as a bridge to spark artwork in kids who live on the Mexican side. Apparently some of the border patrol agents appreciate the art.
A German publication wrote of how some German construction companies feel how inappropriate it would be for them to help build a wall in the U.S., when this country pushed Germany to tear down its own.
Many major news outlets are reporting that some congressional Republicans are planning to refuse to put the $16-$21 billion estimated cost into the federal budget. Several have also reported that the new secretary of the interior, Ryan Zinke, is backing off from the wall concept, and considering the consequences of building a wall on the U.S. side of the Rio Grande River, which would in practice cede that waterway to Mexico.
Here in California, the cities of Berkeley and Oakland are out in front by stating that they won’t do business with any company that is part of the wall project.
We don’t know yet how many responses were received by the U.S. Department of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) by their March 29 deadline for concept papers. Of those received, CBP says they will select 20 to prepare and submit full proposals to build a 10 ft. model of what will be a 30 ft. high wall. There are 734 companies on the list of interested vendors, but some of them did not get it together to submit a proposal, and others were just interested people who never intended to submit, but wanted to know what was happening with this project.
How will CBP choose which companies to select for the final proposal process? Federal contracts like this use a system of rating factors to award contracts. Some departments use points; CBP is using a “confidence” rubric to score the proposals. When points are used, it usually means that the proposals will go out to a number of subject matter experts for evaluation, and then the points can be averaged to select the best proposal. The confidence measure is more subjective, and it usually means that one or more federal employees who will be managing the project are the people making the selection.
Phase One of the bidding process is evaluation of the hundreds of concept papers that CBP received via e-mail by the Wednesday deadline. The evaluators will use three factors to rate the concept papers:
Factor 1-1. Demonstrated Experience. CBP is looking for proof that the proposer has successful experience with large construction projects that are similar to building a large concrete wall across a huge swath of complicated terrain on the border. CBP wants “highly convincing justification to validate the claims and assertions in the proposal.” In addition, they must demonstrate that they have the ability to obtain a performance bond for $200,000, and have assurances that they will be able to get a much larger bond if they get to that point. The $200,000 bond is a hint that the first round of contracting will be at that level: $200,000 to build a 10 x 30 foot model of a wall in San Diego, and then tear it down. If twenty firms get to do this, it will cost the taxpayers $4 million. CBP will be able to find that money in their current budget, so it can be done without congressional action. Pity San Diego County taxpayers, who will have to pay for the security at the huge demonstration that will occur when Trump has a campaign-style rally at the model!
Factor 1-2. Management and Technical Competence. This is where you showcase the qualifications of your staff and subcontractors, who might include engineers, construction team leaders, and architects, and then describe your technical approach, schedule, and quality assurance system. Companies that have built aqueducts, stadiums, highways, airports, and other large public projects will have the best chance on this factor.
Factor 1-3. Prototype Concepts Approach. It’s time to get creative, while staying cost-effective! CBP is looking for concept papers that meet or exceed the requirements, including attractive on the north side, 30 feet tall, at least 6 feet deep, climb-resistant, and impenetrable for at least a couple of hours.
This concept factor (1-3) is the most important, with competence (1-2) the second most important, and experience (1-1) the least important.
The twenty companies that make it to Phase II will be evaluated on these factors:
Factor 2-1 – Technical and Management Capability
Factor 2-2 – Feasibility and Fit of the Prototype Wall Design
Factor 2-3 – Past Performance
Factor 2-4 – Small Business Subcontracting Plan
Factor 2-5 – Price
The RFP states that price is the least important factor, leaving the kleptocratic opening that may bring Dick Cheney and his Halliburton buddies over to the dark side of Trump’s collaborators. Here from Mother Jones are some juicy examples of historically awful deals the U.S. has made with contractors, many of whom are likely to be eyeing HSBP1017R0022 for their next round of business.
