Holdfast Training Services Trial Blog

C4ISR (Request for Equitable Adjustment)

Initially I was supremely impressed with the contractor when he said he would meet the 4 week deadline we set him to respond to the initial response to his claim (currently stacked at $1.5M and estimated to hit at least $2.5M when he finally figures out what his sub contractors are doing.) The amount of detail we requested and the format required was huge. The Government requires all of his claims to be laid out in a Fragmented Network (FragNet) which is basically a Gantt chart showing all influencing factors behind a change. The contractor has now requested a 2 week extension now that he’s realised exactly what this means in relation to his claim. It’s actually a good job because our schedule specialist who is conducting a similar exercise from the Government’s perspective has let us down on his product, stating ‘technical’ issues. Once we get all our ducks in a row I am proposing that we run through a logic exercise to set parameters on the forthcoming negotiations.

SolarWall

I was annoyed with the contractor in the build up to the start of construction as he was unable to produce a number of documents that we had agreed were necessary before anything could begin. The work is taking place on a working building which processes all non-perishable logistical goods for the US military world-wide. If our contractor manages to get in their way he could affect the ‘mission’ which is running 24hrs a day 365 days a year. To this end I stipulated a 2 week look-ahead with a de-confliction plan and drawings of how he will isolate his crew from the mission. This was to be used to brief the building manager to de-conflict our construction activities from the mission activities. When I would not allow construction to begin until he had furnished the Government with the aforementioned documents there was talk of ‘delays caused by the government’ which was quickly squashed. We’re now all on the same page and construction is underway. A large steel jigsaw puzzle is being slowly spread over the face of the building.

The biggest frustration of late was with the security on base who have now decided to try and enforce some policy (which nobody has heard of) that means our contractors can’t enter the building they are working on – and there was a strong chance that all work would come to a complete stop and at huge expense. After ranting for a good half hour in the office I then found out that the guy who’s causing the problems is married to the woman in the next cubicle to me…..at least what I really think has been communicated via the unofficial route. As a result of this I have ended up writing two suggested methods that security could use to be able to enforce their own policy without our contractors being exposed to unnecessary risk.

The whole issue of digital vs non-digital record keeping is almost resolved. I have been buried under huge piles of paperwork for the last week  just to get there. I now need to write a mini-procedure for if/when we end up doing similar ‘joint’ USACE projects.

Bldg 760 / 732

No involvement of late – the project is in the process of being awarded at higher level. Design review complete.

Headquarters Project…

My optimism for imminent progress has been crushed. Security have decided to stick their oar in and mix things up a bit for us all. Denying us access to certain areas that are necessary for construction to take place. The recurring theme here is that the security guys are working to enforce their own agenda as opposed to supporting the facility and working with them facilitate the mission in a secure manner. Quote of the day was ‘If it’s difficult, it means we’re doing our job well.’ IDIOTS! The construction is probably going to get into full swing just as I’m about to switch to phase 3….typical.

Ashley Reservist Center – (Still) Playing Sherlock Holmes

Still awaiting results from petrographic testing on concrete samples before deciding how to tackle the contractor. The issue of concrete quality has gone to a new level. Independent strength testing undertaken by the Corps lab has shown huge discrepancies between the independent lab and the specification requirements. The actual concrete provider is now under the microscope as we try to get to the bottom of what’s going on. Falsification of delivery tickets is also suspected.

Other news:

Boys returned safely to school. Naked house rules are in force.

Still haven’t won the lottery.

Country song updates [warning – don’t get drunk and sing these songs to your wife – then wonder why she’s pissed off with you (Roy)]:

I Don’t Know Whether To Kill Myself Or Go Bowling

I Wouldn't Take Her To A Dog Fight, Cause I'm Afraid She'd Win

My Wife Ran Off With My Best Friend And I Sure Do Miss Him

She Got The Ring And I Got The Finger

You're the Reason Our Kids Are So Ugly

Have finally found some country music I can tolerate…..perhaps I’m starting to turn native? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRWMwpPlm28&feature=BFa&list=AL94UKMTqg-9CnpThBkCJ5dqZW-bExOM6B