These are today's Corps of Engineer's Talking Points.
New for today are:
- references to Hurricane Rita, and what the Corps is currently doing to prepare
- an update on the Hurricane Katrina Relief Mission stats (how many roofs repaired? how much ice delivered?)
- update on status of levees in New Orleans, especially in light of Hurricane Rita
- lots of contracting details on the four prime contracts for debris removal, including mandatory set-asides for various small businesses.
There's nothing new on water and sediment contamination, or on the un-watering schedule (see previous diaries).
I will note that there is a large effort underway to train and deploy debris inspectors -- folks who will examine each load of debris for hazardous materials/waste, and direct disposal of accordingly. It's a mind-numbing job (dumpster diving half a state), but it's also hot and humid, with the expectation of further catastrophe, so I'm sure they'll get plenty of takers.
As always, this is from the official Corps Public Affairs office, which I post here for your reading pleasure without further comment.
Rita
The Corps is making preparations for the expected landfall of Hurricane Rita. In New Orleans, work continues around the clock to make emergency repairs to damaged canal walls and levees. Corps employees are working with local levee districts and drainage authorities, and have begun re-distributing pumps, construction equipment and materials to municipalities for emergency response.
We are working with FEMA to move water and ice into staging areas in Dallas and Fort Sam Houston. Corps personnel are moving or are already in place to support FEMA missions throughout the area.
We are also continuing to evaluate flood control structures in the region to determine what preventive measures can be implemented. We are monitoring the situation very closely, and working with FEMA and other partner agencies to prepare for this storm.
Katrina
Volunteers from several federal agencies have joined the Corps team in providing support to FEMA. We are working closely with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Army Material Command. In addition, Germany and the Netherlands provided equipment and personnel to assist in the hurricane recovery.
Currently we have more than 2,500 Corps employees (including 20 soldiers from the 249th Engineer Battalion (Prime Power)) deployed in the affected areas.
Other Mission Statistics:
· More than 8,800 temporary roofs have been installed; and more than 32,000 Right of Entry forms have been submitted. It is estimated that 51,000 roofs will need temporary roofs installed.
· More than 2.9 million cubic yards of debris has been removed. It is estimated that the Corp's mission will include more than 55.9 million cubic yards of debris removal.
· More than 4,500 truckloads of water have been delivered
· More than 4,200 truckloads of ice have been delivered
2. Status of Levees and Protection and Cause of Breaches
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is currently gathering information on the levee and canal breaches. We will not know conclusively what caused the breaches until a complete analysis is done.
We do know that the system in its present condition does not ensure that the city will be protected from flooding resulting from storms or hurricanes. It is critical to ensure leaders and residents are aware there is risk to life and property in re-entering flooded areas until additional emergency levee repairs are affected. Pumps that are designed to remove water must also be returned to an operational status. State and local leaders are advised to ensure effective warning and evacuation plans are in place as long as protection levels are diminished. State and local leaders will be kept informed as assessments are complete and repairs are made.
4. Contracting/Debris Removal Contract
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in concert with FEMA has awarded (Sep 15) a total of 4 competitive contracts for the debris removal mission in support of Hurricane Katrina.
The contracts have been awarded to the following companies:
· Ashbritt, Inc. of Pompano Beach, Florida
· Environmental Chemical Corporation of Burlingame, California
· Ceres Environmental Inc. of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
· Philips and Jordan, Inc. of Zephyrhills, Florida
The contract work areas include the following locations: Ashbritt, Inc. for the state of Mississippi, and the remaining three contractors will cover work in the state of Louisiana.
Contract Amounts:
The amount awarded for each fixed-price contract is up to $500 million a piece, with the option of an additional $500 million.
Contract Requirements:
The terms for all four contracts require the contractors to give a preference to those organizations, firms or individuals residing or doing business primarily in the area affected by Hurricane Katrina.
All contractors are required to submit a sub-contracting plan with the goal of including the following participation: 73.5 percent for Small business, 3 percent for Service-disabled veterans, 3.2 percent for Small HUB-Zone concerns, 10.6 percent for Small Disadvantaged business, and 11 percent for Small Women-owned business.
Scope
The contracts cover a wide range of debris removal activities, including collection, sorting, demolition and disposal. The Corps is working closely with the EPA and local officials to ensure debris is disposed of in a safe and environmentally sound manner.
Award Criteria:
Contracting awards were given based on the following criteria: past performance, technical capability, ability to provide sub-contracting goals for small and disadvantaged businesses, ability to respond, and price.
Award Vehicle:
A Request-for-Proposal - Best Market Value
Announcement Period:
The Corps issued an open announcement for these contracts through the Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis District web site. The Corps shortened the time available to respond to the announcement in light of the urgent need for debris removal services; however, despite the shortened time period, the Corps received 22 proposals.
Solicitation Process:
The solicitation process for the debris removal contracts was both open and competitive, although limited due to the urgency of the emergency situation. The term "limited" is simply defined as a solicitation period that is less than the 45-day bidding period. Open bidding includes both large and small businesses.
Contract Terms:
Terms of the contract will expire 30 September 2006, provided capacity is still available.
The Corps has an option to extend the contracts to include an additional $500 million to each contract if there are more debris requirements at the end of the original contract work and the contractor has performed its work in satisfactory way.