Return to Article: Iraq contractors' problems no impediment to finding new work

By Robert Brodsky rbrodsky@govexec.com August 30, 2007
  • 32100

    I think the evaluation of the big companies misses an important point. While these guys did make mistakes, the work was generally performed well: troops were housed, fed, and the required services were provided. Did they do so at the absolutely least cost? No. Could some other contractor have performed better? Probably not. Example - housing. The claim is that KBR provided better housing to its people than troops. Reality: all of the housing units at the main bases are exactly the same. The only difference is whether the units are shared or individual. Since many of the bases had extra sleeping units, it makes no sense to double up when units are available. Such a finding sounds to me like a game of "gotcha". I have no experience with the other issues, so can't comment on them.

    I'm glad that there will be a database of performance evaluations - major improvement. However, I have yet to meet a contractor that complied with 100% of every term in their contract. If the implementation plan is to eliminate all contractors that get a single bad rating, then we will be stuck with only new companies with no track record.

    Will Hettchen Posted September 4, 2007 7:43 AM

Post a Comment

To post a comment, you must provide a name and a valid e-mail address. Messages must be limited to 400 words. By using this Service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. Although Government Executive does not monitor comments posted to this site (and has no obligation to), it reserves the right to delete, edit, or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule.

Iraq contractors' problems no impediment to finding new work
*
*
*
Vendors Solutions Center