Holdfast Training Services Trial Blog

21-23 Mar 12

Having had a chance to see the Ashley reservist centre site again there is some noticeable difference in the pace of work and there are actually more people on site, but still not what you would expect of a contractor who is working to try and recover delayed schedule. A few more things have become clear also – the main thing being that the contractor representative (CONREP) is adversarial with the contractor and this possibly also explains why there are communication breakdowns. We sat in a progress meeting where the CONREP hit them with deficiencies they had never been made aware of previously. Blind siding the contractor in a progress meeting with deficiencies does not promote good will or mutual understanding. The CONREP has told me now in private that he would like to shut down the contractor for failure to meet the quality control criteria and some health and safety issues. He takes photographs and sends them direct to head office to get their opinion (The equivalent of going 4 up to us!). The contractor was certainly using the right language that would engender at least the impression of mutual cooperation, but this was met with a stony silence from the CONREP. (I will stop talking about this individual now incase this ever gets leaked and I get sued!….but you can imagine I have clear opinions of whether this individual should have been retired a long time ago.)

Now pan out and scroll across to another reservist centre in Mechanicsburg. It is the same type of building and is also awarded on a design – bid – build contract. There is a similarly slow pace, not because of constantly changing staff but because of unforeseen ground conditions that have led to USACE having to go back to congress for additional funds. There is perhaps a month or so of funding left before the contractors will have to be told to down tools until additional cash is sourced. There is a team at work trying to figure out if the requirement can be adjusted to accommodate at least some finished structures that will add value to the existing facilities. The CONREP on this job greets the contractors with a huge slab of elk meat that has been shot by a co-worker and an impromptu afternoon bbq is arranged. All the workers take 20 minutes off to come eat burned meat and talk about women, beer and cars. Progress is discussed and the contractor confirms that the last punch list (snagging list) items have been addressed and offers the papers to prove it. Afterwards a brief walk around identifies more items for the punch list and the principal contractor immediately tackles the sub contractors involved. One of them is on a second warning for not having a non-return valve on an acetylene torch and is warned that a further infringement will result in him being removed from site, but nobody falls out because of the manner in which he is told…..clear…direct…factually…not personal. I found a strip of spent percussion caps from a nail gun and pointed it out to the CONREP (trying to be helpful). The strip is tossed to the ‘superintendent’ (the site manager) with a playful quip that it’s a $1000 fine for every cap (spent or not) according to the contract, meaning the guy is now holding a $10,000 fine in his hands. The superintendent disappears to find the offending subbie and the CONREP is happy that it won’t happen again.

So what is the main difference between the two projects that really ought to be the same? It’s the working relationship and how the rules of the contract are enforced. You can smash the contractor until he is in a position where he is underfunded, on the back foot, off guard and becomes more and more open to further criticism until the project grinds to a halt. Alternatively you can work together, cut him some slack when it’s appropriate and keep them all on side in a spirit of mutual cooperation. Both projects are failing for very different reasons, but the difference is that for one them it is not necessary!

Wanted to take some lovely pictures for you guys to see – but I fear I might just get arrested. No photos allowed on a military base I’m afraid. I need to get a media pass and show all pics to the guard staff on departure….but what they don’t know can’t harm me. Will endeavour to indulge in subterfuge for the cause.

26 Mar 12

Contractor on the Mechanicsburg site has been ‘blessing’ the concrete pour as high winds were making a lean mix difficult to finish. CONREP has informed them that if this develops tension cracks they will tear out and replace at their own expense, but again, no love lost. I am fascinated by the fact that the client’s representative on site is expected to be an engineer and a clerk of works at the same time. He carries a specification with him for the job and is expected to do all the tasks that would be expected of the clerk of works. (I for one would not have spotted the missing non-return valve on the acetylene tank). I think it works though because the contractor is responsible for the Quality Control issues with the CONREP and PE focusing on Quality Assurance so the checks should be for back up anyway.

Have completed the first of my compulsory training……drug abuse and suicide. I thought I’d be free of MATTS for at least a short while!! Apparently if you suspect someone may be having dark thoughts you have to just come right out and ask them. I have been asking the office repeatedly if they are thinking of killing or harming themselves as a precautionary measure.

Vehicle registration fail….doh. But on the plus side, child number one has been safely deposited state-side…..doh.