SIGAR Audit-11-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities 

OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION 

ANA Facilities at Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat Generally 

Met Construction Requirements, but Contractor 

Oversight Should Be Strengthened 

April 25, 2011
SIGAR Audit-11-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page i 

OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION 

April 25, 2011 

General James N. Mattis 

Commander, U. S. Central Command 

General David H. Petraeus 

Commander, U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, and 

Commander, International Security Assistance Force 

Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell, IV 

Commanding General, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/ 

Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan 

Mr. Terry Edwards 

Director, Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment 

This report discusses the results of the Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan 

Reconstruction’s (SIGAR) audit of U.S. Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment (AFCEE) 

infrastructure projects in Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat. This report includes two recommendations to 

AFCEE designed to strengthen contractor oversight and provide timely information to other U.S. 

government contracting agencies on contractor performance at Herat. 

A summary of this report is on page ii. This performance audit was conducted by SIGAR under the 

authority of Public Law No. 110-181, as amended, the Inspector General Act of 1978, and the Inspector 

General Reform Act of 2008. When preparing the final report, we considered comments from AFCEE 

and the Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan (CSTC-A). AFCEE noted that it has taken 

action to address our recommendations and CSTC-A concurred with our findings regarding the quality of 

construction. These comments are reproduced in appendixes II and III of this report. 

Herbert Richardson 

Acting Special Inspector General 

 for Afghanistan Reconstruction 
SIGAR Audit-11-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page ii

SIGAR

Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction

SIGAR Audit-11-9 April 2011

ANA Facilities at Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat Generally Met 

Construction Requirements, but Contractor Oversight 

Should Be Strengthened

What SIGAR Reviewed

A key objective of the coalition efforts in Afghanistan is to build the country’s capacity to provide for its own security by 

housing, training, equipping, and sustaining the Afghanistan National Security Forces. The Combined Security Transition 

Command –Afghanistan (CSTC-A) provided $42.3 million to the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment 

(AFCEE) to support construction of facilities for the Afghan National Army (ANA) at Camp Shaheen outside of 

Mazar-e-Sharif and at Camp Zafar outside of Herat. AFCEE awarded one task order to CH2M Hill Constructors, Inc. 

(CH2M Hill) and one to AMEC Earth and Environmental, Inc. (AMEC) to complete these projects. AFCEE officials (located 

in both San Antonio, Texas, and Kabul, Afghanistan) were responsible for providing contract administration and 

oversight of construction activities. This report (1) examines modifications to the task orders awarded to CH2M Hill and 

AMEC and assesses the nature and adequacy of project oversight by AFCEE; (2) determines whether construction at 

Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat met the terms of the task orders; and (3) evaluates efforts to ensure sustainability of the 

facilities. To accomplish these objectives, we reviewed relevant contract files; performed site inspections at both 

locations; and interviewed officials from CSTC-A and AFCEE, among others. We conducted our work in San Antonio, 

Texas; Kabul, Mazar-e-Sharif, and Herat, Afghanistan; and Washington, D.C., from May 2010 to April 2011, in 

accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. 

What SIGAR Found

The projects at Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat experienced cost increases and construction delays, and the AFCEE 

contracting officer failed to provide adequate oversight of the contractor at Herat. At Mazar-e-Sharif, project costs 

increased because of additional work, including an electrical upgrade, added to the contract through modifications. The 

project was also delayed, primarily because the contractor had difficulty obtaining generators for this upgrade. At 

Herat, the project was delayed because of poor contractor performance, particularly with regard to cost and schedule 

management. For example, a December 2009 AFCEE report noted that the project had experienced 75 percent 

schedule growth and an estimated cost overrun of $1.68 million. We found that the AFCEE contracting officer did not 

exercise adequate oversight of the contractor at Herat. Specifically, he approved over $5 million in funding increases 

for the project, despite having identified serious concerns about the contractor’s performance. He also failed to follow 

up on his requests to the contractor to take corrective actions and did not provide timely information to other U.S. 

government contracting officials on the contractor’s performance through the Construction Contractor Appraisal 

Support System (CCASS).

In general, SIGAR found that the quality of construction at both sites met the terms of the contract requirements. For 

example, the buildings SIGAR inspected at Herat appeared to have properly applied finishes both on the interior and 

exterior, windows and doors were installed and working, and plumbing and electrical systems were operational.

However, SIGAR also identified some minor flaws, such as areas with inadequate grading, which could lead to flooding.

Although AFCEE and CSTC-A have taken steps to provide for the sustainment of the facilities at Mazar-e-Sharif and 

Herat, SIGAR found that these efforts did not occur in a timely manner. First, AFCEE did not arrange for the facilities to 

be covered under the operations and maintenance (O&M) contract for CSTC-A facilities in Afghanistan in a timely 

manner. Second, although CSTC-A updated its “austere” or “Afghan-friendly” construction standards and developed a 

mechanism for taking feedback from key stakeholders into account when revising these standards, these updates were 

not available to contractors at the time of the Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat projects. 

What SIGAR Recommends

SIGAR is making two recommendations to AFCEE to address the following actions: (1) establish and implement 

procedures to ensure that contracting officers follow up on contractors’ plans to take corrective action in a timely 

manner and (2) file a final rating of the contractor at Herat in CCASS. In commenting on a draft of this report, AFCEE 

stated that it will begin setting specific deadlines for stakeholders, including the contracting officer, to follow up when 

performance problems are identified. In response to our second recommendation, AFCEE stated that it has now filed a 

rating in CCASS on the contractor in Herat. CSTC-A concurred with our findings regarding the quality of construction at 

both sites.

For more information contact: SIGAR Public Affairs at (703) 602-8742 or PublicAffairs@sigar.mil
SIGAR Audit-11-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page iii 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Background ................................................................................................................................................... 3

Both Projects Experienced Cost Increases and Schedule Delays, and Contractor 

Oversight at Herat Was Insufficient ....................................................................................................... 5

Facilities at Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat Were Generally Well Constructed .................................................13

Efforts to Ensure Sustainability of Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat Facilities Did Not 

Occur in a Timely Manner ....................................................................................................................16

Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................................18

Recommendations ......................................................................................................................................18

Comments ...................................................................................................................................................19

Appendix I: Scope and Methodology .........................................................................................................20

Appendix II: Comments From Air Force Center for Engineering and the 

Environment .........................................................................................................................................21

Appendix III: Comments From Combined Security Transition CommandAfghanistan ...........................................................................................................................................23

TABLES 

Table 1: Modifications to Contract FA8903-06-D-8510, Task Order 012 ..................................................... 6

Table 2: Modifications to Contract FA8903-06-D-8507, Task Order 013 ..................................................... 9

FIGURES AND PHOTOS 

Figure 1: Map of Afghanistan Showing Balkh and Herat Provinces .............................................................. 3

Photo 1: Unfinished K-Span at Herat with No Ceiling Lights, Fans or Interior 

Insulation ..............................................................................................................................................11

Photo 2: Unfinished Latrine Area in K-Span at Herat .................................................................................11

Photo 3: Enlisted Barracks at Mazar-e-Sharif .............................................................................................13

Photo 4: Vehicle Maintenance Building at Mazar-e-Sharif .........................................................................13

Photo 5: PVC Piping at Sink Level at Mazar-e-Sharif ...................................................................................14

Photo 6: “Goose-Neck” Faucets in a Latrine Area at Mazar-e-Sharif .........................................................14

Photo 7: Insubstantial Shower Heads at Mazar-e-Sharif ............................................................................14

Photo 8: Forward Support Depot Storage Area at Herat ............................................................................15

Photo 9: Problematic Grading next to K-Span 3 .........................................................................................16
SIGAR Audit-11-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page iv

ACRONYMS 

ACASS Architect-Engineer Contract Administration Support System

AFCEE Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment

AMEC AMEC Earth and Environmental, Inc.

ANA Afghan National Army

ANSF Afghanistan National Security Forces

CAP Corrective Action Plan

CCASS Construction Contractor Appraisal Support System

CH2M Hill CH2M Hill Constructors, Inc. 

CO Contracting Officer

COR Contracting Officer Representative

CSTC-A Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan

DFAC Dining Facility

FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation

GAGAS Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards

HERC Heavy Engineering, Repair and Construction

O&M Operations and Maintenance

PVC polyvinyl chloride

R&R revised & resubmitted

RSC-W Regional Support Command-West

SIGAR Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 2 

ANA Facilities at Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat Generally Met Construction 

Requirements, but Contractor Oversight Should Be Strengthened 

One objective of coalition efforts in Afghanistan is to build the country’s capacity to provide for its own 

security by training and equipping the Afghanistan National Security Forces (ANSF).1

 In 2001, the Bonn 

Agreement initially set troop levels for the Afghan National Army (ANA) at 50,000. New requirements 

call for the ANA to grow to approximately 171, 600 by October 2011. As a result of these increases, 

additional facilities are needed to train and base the Afghan forces. Between fiscal years 2005 and 2010, 

about $25 billion was appropriated for the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund, which provides the funding 

to train and equip the ANSF. 

In 2008, the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A)2 funded two projects 

through the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment (AFCEE) to support construction at 

Camp Shaheen outside of Mazar-e-Sharif in Balkh Province and at Camp Zafar outside of Herat city in 

Herat Province. AFCEE awarded two cost plus fixed-fee task orders3

 in the amount of $42.3 million to 

CH2M Hill Constructors, Inc. (CH2M Hill) and AMEC Earth and Environmental, Inc. (AMEC) to complete 

projects at Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat, respectively. 

This report is part of a series of performance audits by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan 

Reconstruction (SIGAR) examining contract outcomes, costs, and oversight. This report (1) examines 

modifications to the task orders awarded to CH2M Hill and AMEC and assesses the nature and adequacy 

of project oversight by AFCEE; (2) determines whether construction at Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat met the 

terms of the task orders; and (3) evaluates efforts to ensure sustainability of the facilities. 

To accomplish these objectives, we reviewed relevant contract files, including the statements of work, 

modifications, available construction plans and specifications, and quality assurance plans and reports. 

We examined criteria and guidance defined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), as well as 

AFCEE's final and draft policies. We conducted inspections of the Herat and Mazar-e-Sharif sites in 

Herat and Balkh provinces, respectively, and we interviewed officials from AFCEE headquarters in San 

Antonio, Texas; AFCEE-Afghanistan; CSTC-A; U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Afghanistan Engineer DistrictsNorth and South; AMEC; and CH2M Hill. We conducted our work in San Antonio, Texas; Kabul, 

Mazar-e-Sharif, and Herat, Afghanistan; and Washington, D.C., from May 2010 to April 2011, in 

accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. Those standards require that we 

plan and perform the audit to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for 

 

1

 ANSF includes the Afghan National Army and the Afghanistan National Police. 

2

 The North Atlantic Treaty Organization Training Mission-Afghanistan and CSTC-A are a joint command under a 

single commander. Because CSTC-A distributes and manages all U.S.-provided funding to support ANSF, this report 

refers to CSTC-A.

3

 A cost plus fixed-fee contract or task order provides for payment of allowable incurred costs to the extent 

prescribed in the contract. These contracts establish an estimate of total cost for the purpose of obligating funds 

and establishing a ceiling that the contractor may not exceed (except at its own risk) without the approval of the 

contracting officer. This contract type also provides for payment to the contractor of a negotiated fee that is fixed 

at the inception of the contract and does not vary with actual cost. This contract type permits contracting for 

efforts that might otherwise present too great a risk to contractors. See Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 

Subpart 16.3. 
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 3 

our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives. We believe that the evidence obtained 

provides a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives. A discussion 

of our scope and methodology is included in appendix I. 

BACKGROUND 

The CSTC-A-funded projects in Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat (see figure 1) provided for the construction of 

additional facilities at existing ANA bases, including the construction of medical barracks, and, at one 

location, a new commando compound. CSTC-A identified a need for these additional facilities based on 

the changing missions of the garrisons and contracted through AFCEE for construction and quality 

assurance oversight. 

Figure 1: Map of Afghanistan Showing Balkh and Herat Provinces

Source: SIGAR

As of October 2010, Camp Shaheen, near Mazar-e-Sharif, had an authorized level of almost 

8,000 military personnel. Camp Shaheen is home to the ANA's 209th Corps and houses the 209th Corps' 

headquarters, a brigade and its general support unit, and two battalions, including combat support and 

combat support services. The purpose of the task order awarded by AFCEE to CH2M Hill was to perform 

additional construction at two sites at Camp Shaheen, specifically: 
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 4 

 Commando compound – enlisted barracks; non-commissioned officer barracks; officer barracks; 

four company headquarters; a battalion headquarters; a small arms storage building; a battalion 

storage building; fitness and training centers; motor pool with a vehicle maintenance bay; a 

dining facility; a solid waste collection point; a perimeter fence with two lighted entry control 

gates; an indirect fire shelter; an asphalt road and parking areas; storm water management; 

sewer and water distribution; power distribution and generator upgrade; and a communication 

system. 

 Forward support depot – enlisted barracks; senior non-commissioned officer/officer barracks; 

two medical barracks; a latrine for each of the barracks; a dining facility; a warehouse with 

vehicle maintenance bay; renovation of another warehouse; fuel point and fuel storage; 

concrete bunkers; asphalt roads; and sewer, water, and electric distribution with connection to 

the existing system. 

As of October 2010, Camp Zafar, near Herat, had an authorized level of more than 7,800 military 

personnel. Camp Zafar is home to the ANA's 207th Corps and houses the 207th Corps' headquarters, a 

brigade and its general support unit, and six battalions, including combat support and combat support 

services. AFCEE awarded the task order to AMEC to perform additional construction at three sites at 

Camp Zafar, specifically: 

 Forward support depot – guard houses and fence; asphalt pavement; enlisted barracks and bath 

house; officer quarters; fuel point, vehicle maintenance, and storage; warehouse renovation; 

water, electrical, and wastewater systems; and concrete bunkers. 

 Dining facility and K-span4 area – new asphalt pavement; a dining facilities (DFAC) building; 

K-span facilities; parking and drainage; a wastewater collection system; electrical and water 

distribution; and gravel roadway. 

 Medical barracks area – non-commissioned officer barracks; enlisted barracks; a bath house; 

gravel roadway and drainage; a wastewater collection system; and electrical and water 

distribution. 

AFCEE Selects Contractors through a Two-Tiered Approach 

AFCEE uses a two-tiered approach to select contractors for its construction projects. First, under its 

Heavy Engineering, Repair and Construction (HERC) business model, AFCEE solicits bids, selects 

contractors, and awards multiple indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts,5

 in accordance with 

the FAR, to provide heavy construction and engineering activities worldwide. Second, AFCEE 

headquarters requests proposals covering potential heavy construction and engineering projects 

exclusively from HERC prime contractors. Contractors interested in competing for the work provide 

proposals. The AFCEE contracting officer (CO) located in San Antonio, Texas, makes a determination as 

 

4

A K-span is a pre-engineered building built with roll-formed arched steel structures that weld together in large 

sections to form a self-supporting building with no internal structure. A K-span building can be used many ways, 

including as a warehouse, hangar, office space, or troop barracks. 

5

Indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity contracts provide for an indefinite quantity of services during a fixed period 

of time. They are used when the government cannot predetermine, above a specified minimum, the precise 

quantities of supplies or services that will be required during the contract period. The government places delivery 

orders (for supplies) or task orders (for services) against a basic contract for individual requirements. Minimum 

and maximum quantity limits are specified in the basic contract as the number of units (for supplies) or as dollar 

values (for services). 
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 5 

to which contractor will provide the best value for the dollar, and the selected contractor is awarded the 

task order.6

 

AFCEE Outsources Quality Assurance, but Contracting Officer is Ultimately Responsible for 

Contractor Oversight 

AFCEE engages engineering contractors to provide quality assurance for its construction projects, but 

the AFCEE CO has final responsibility for monitoring contractor performance and holding the contractor 

accountable for its actions. The quality assurance contractors perform onsite supervision, inspection, 

and oversight for construction throughout Afghanistan to ensure that construction contractors meet 

quality control and construction standards. Duties include, but are not limited to, onsite technical 

surveillance and project assessment; review and comment on the contractor’s submittals; and 

preparation and posting of daily quality assurance reports that document project details, actions taken, 

and items inspected, etc. The quality assurance contractor provides documentation of these actions to 

the contracting officer representative (COR), who is responsible for evaluating the quality assurance 

contractor’s performance and for using the information provided to interact with and advise the CO. 

The AFCEE CORs, located in Afghanistan and San Antonio, Texas, also administer the contracts. The 

quality assurance function for the projects at Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat was awarded first to Versar, Inc. 

and subsequently to Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., for approximately $38.7 million. Versar continued 

to perform the quality assurance function for the project sites at Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat after the 

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. assumed the role as the primary quality assurance contractor. 

The CO approves modifications to the contract and holds the contractor accountable for its 

performance. The CO is responsible for filing the contractor’s interim and final performance 

evaluations, which provide U.S. agencies with relevant information for selecting contractors. These 

evaluations also serve as one of the CO’s primary tools for influencing remedial action by a contractor 

during contract performance. According to the FAR, during the contractor’s period of performance, the 

CO can request a corrective action plan outlining the contractor’s proposed steps to fix a problem and 

prevent it from happening again. The CO should follow up to ensure performance improvement. If the 

contractor fails to improve, the CO can provide less-than-satisfactory interim and final contractor 

evaluations through the government’s formal reporting system, the Construction Contractor Appraisal 

Support System (CCASS) and the Architect-Engineer Contract Administration Support System (ACASS).7

BOTH PROJECTS EXPERIENCED COST INCREASES AND SCHEDULE DELAYS, AND CONTRACTOR 

OVERSIGHT AT HERAT WAS INSUFFICIENT 

The projects at Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat experienced cost increases and construction delays, and the 

AFCEE CO failed to provide adequate oversight of the contractor at Herat. At Mazar-e-Sharif, the cost of 

the project increased because of additional work, including a major electrical upgrade, added to the 

contract through modifications. Construction at the site was delayed primarily because the contractor 

 

6

A task order is an order for services placed against an established contract, in this case the HERC contract. 

7

 CCASS and ACASS are databases that contain construction contractor and architect-engineer performance 

evaluations, respectively. The evaluations provide information on contractor performance, including the quality 

and timeliness of the work, effectiveness of management, and compliance with contract terms, labor standards, 

and safety requirements. Information from CCASS is passed to the Past Performance Information Retrieval 

System, a government-wide performance information repository, where it can be retrieved by federal government 

agencies, including DOD, for use in selecting contractors. ACASS provides the same evaluation opportunity for 

architect-engineer contracts. 
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 6 

had difficulty obtaining two generators called for as part of this utility upgrade. At Herat, the project 

experienced substantial cost increases and schedule delays because of poor contractor performance. 

We found that the AFCEE contracting officer failed to exercise adequate oversight of the contractor at 

Herat. Specifically, he approved multiple cost increases and schedule extensions for the project, despite 

having identified significant contractor performance problems. He also failed to follow up on the 

contractor’s plans to improve performance and did not report the contractor’s performance deficiencies 

in CCASS for timely use by other U.S. contracting agencies.

Mazar-e-Sharif Project Was Behind Schedule Due, in Part, to Difficulties Completing an 

Electrical Upgrade at the Site 

As of February 2011, the Mazar-e-Sharif facilities were more than 20 months behind schedule, in part 

because of utility work added to the contract under a scope modification. In addition, the cost for the 

AFCEE-constructed facilities at Mazar-e-Sharif increased from $17.0 million to $23.2 million based on 

several modifications to the task order, including the utility work. Table 1 outlines the cost, schedule, 

and scope changes for the Mazar-e-Sharif facilities. 

Table 1: Modifications to Contract FA8903-06-D-8510, Task Order 012 

Modification

(Mod) Date Purpose Cost/Schedule Change

Mod 1 Jan 14, 2009 Capped general and administrative rates No change 

Mod 2 May 14, 2009 Revised building sizes and subcontracted

forward support depot site

Contract increased by $1.0 million

Field construction completion date 

extended from May 12, 2009 to

July 19, 2009

Mod 3 Aug 19, 2009 Required installation of culverts and 

control points; modified forward support

depot warehouse

Contract increased by $2.2 million

Field construction completion date 

extended to September 30, 2009

Mod 4 Sep 19, 2009 Expanded scope to include design, 

furnishing, and installation of two

megawatt power upgrade; design and 

installation of vehicle service pits; and 

furnishing and installationof two 25,000-

gallon diesel fuel tanks to support new 

generators 

Cost increased by $3.1 million

Field construction completion date 

extended to June 30, 2010

Mod 5 Jun 28, 2010 Extended contract due to non-receipt of 

special order generators

No cost increase

Field construction completion date 

extended to August 15, 2010

Mod 6 Aug 10, 2010 Added new U.S. Central Command and 

Joint Contracting Command contract 

clauses regarding fitness for duty, facility 

safety, and business clearances

No cost increase

No schedule change

Mod 7 Sep 14, 2010 Extended contract due to special order 

generators held in Pakistan

No cost increase

Field construction completion date 

extended to November 15, 2010
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 7 

Modification

(Mod) Date Purpose Cost/Schedule Change

Mod 8 Nov 1, 2010 Extended contract due to special order 

generators held in Pakistan

No cost increase

Field construction completion date 

extended to December 15, 2010

Mod 9 Dec 13, 2010 Extended contract due to special order 

generators held in Pakistan

No cost increase

Field construction completion date 

extended to March 19, 2011

Source: SIGAR analysis of Contract FA8903-06-D-8510, Task Order 012, dated July 16, 2008, and all task order modifications.

Note: General and administrative rates are for management or financial expenses incurred by or allocated to a business unit 

and support the management and administration of the business unit as a whole.

According to the FAR, contract files should include sufficient documentation to provide a complete 

history of the project as a basis for making informed decisions, supporting actions taken, and providing 

information for reviews and investigations.8

 However, the extent to which the modifications shown in 

Table 1 were appropriately supported varied. For example, we found that modifications 1, 2, 3, and 6, 

which capped general and administrative cost rates, made minor building size changes during initial 

design, and added minor alterations to construction plans, were sufficiently supported by 

documentation in the contract files. In addition, modifications 5, 7, and 8, which extended the 

performance periods, were directly connected to the added utility work and therefore were sufficiently 

documented. 

However, the extent to which the AFCEE CO obtained adequate documentation supporting the need to 

expand the scope of the Mazar-e-Sharif project to include unplanned utility work is unclear. During 

contract performance (prior to June 14, 2009), CSTC-A identified a potential problem with the electrical 

power available for current and future infrastructure and requested additional capacity at 

Mazar-e-Sharif. In response to this request, the AFCEE CO modified the scope of the Mazar-e-Sharif task 

order (modification 4, dated September 2009) to upgrade the power plant by two megawatts, increasing 

the project’s cost by about $3.1 million. In July 2010, when we asked for documentation supporting the 

need to upgrade the power plant, neither CSTC-A nor AFCEE could provide it. In addition, our review of 

the contract files found no documentation from CSTC-A supporting the need for modification 4. 

However, in February 2011, when we reiterated concerns about the need for documentation supporting 

the modification, AFCEE provided a utility assessment of Camp Shaheen completed in July 2009. The 

assessment recommended two new generators in the short-term and a total of twelve generators in the 

long-term. While this study predates modification 4 (indicating that support for the expansion was 

available), the work change request submitted by the contractor to add the utility work at the request of 

CSTC-A was issued in June 2009, prior to completion of the study (indicating that the study’s results 

were not the basis of the decision to add the utility upgrade). Further, based on a subsequent June 2010 

assessment of all utility requirements at Mazar-e-Sharif, CSTC-A concluded that it had overestimated the 

power requirements at virtually all bases, including Camp Shaheen. Therefore, the power upgrade 

called for under modification 4 will not be needed until the site reaches its full capacity of 12,000 troops. 

(According to a CSTC-A official, as of February 2011, there were between 4,000 and 5,000 troops 

stationed there.) 

As of February 2011, the ANA had assumed occupancy of all facilities at the site, but the project 

remained incomplete because of a delay obtaining and installing the generators called for under the 

 

8

See FAR 4.801. 
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 8 

utility upgrade. The contractor experienced significant delays getting the two generators through 

Pakistani and Afghan border controls because it had lost its business license in mid-2010. According to 

AFCEE, the contractor was unable to renew its license because it owed the Ministry of Finance taxes that 

one of its Afghan subcontractors had not paid in previous years. (The Afghan customs office will not 

authorize the release of the generators to an unlicensed company.) In February 2011, CSTC-A reported 

that the contractor had resolved the problem and that the generators were en route to Camp Shaheen, 

after which they would be installed. A CSTC-A official stated that there had been no adverse effect from 

the delay because the generators will not be needed until the base gets closer to full capacity. He also 

emphasized that importing materials, such as generators, for construction is his “single most difficult 

problem” because so little is manufactured in Afghanistan. 

Herat Project Was Over Cost and Behind Schedule, Due to Both an Unsupported Scope 

Modification and Poor Contractor Performance 

As of June 30, 2010, the AFCEE-constructed facilities at Herat were $7.4 million over cost and 9 months 

behind schedule, in part because of poor contractor performance. The costs for the Herat facilities 

increased from the initial cost of $11.6 million to $19 million based on several modifications to the task 

order. The facilities were also originally scheduled for completion by September 15, 2009, but the 

scheduled completion date was delayed until June 30, 2010. Table 2 shows the status of the cost, 

schedule, and scope changes for the Herat facilities task order. 
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 9 

Table 2: Modifications to Contract FA8903-06-D-8507, Task Order 013 

Modification Date Purpose Cost/Schedule Change

Mod 1 Apr 29, 2009 Revised building areas and heating, 

ventilation, and air conditioning

requirements

Contract increased by $2.2 million

Mod 2 Sep 30, 2009 Revised transformer sizes due to building 

size changes; expanded scope to include a 

hydrological survey and installation of a

water well and treatment facility

Contract increased by $3.2 million

Completion date extended to 

January 15, 2010

Mod 3 Jan 15, 2010 Extended field performance due to 

construction delays

Field construction completion date 

extended to June 5, 2010

Mod 4 Apr 19, 2010 Descoped hydrological work $1.3 million remaining from descoped 

hydrological work was left on the 

contract to offset additional project 

costs reported by contractor

Mod 5 Jun 16, 2010 Increased contract ceiling; replaced ceiling 

fans in K-spans

Contract increased by $2.0 million to 

cover additional costs reported by 

contractor

Field construction completion date 

extended to June 30, 2010

Mod 6 Jul 19, 2010 Changed the funding source for 

modification 5, per CSTC-A request

No change

Mod 7 Aug 9, 2010 Changed the funding source for 

modification 5 back to the original source, 

again at CSTC-A request

No change

Source: SIGAR analysis of Contract FA8903-06-D-8507, Task Order 013, dated September 12, 2008, and all task order 

modifications.

We found that the AFCEE contracting officer expanded the scope of this task order without sufficient 

documentation support for this modification. Specifically, modification 2, dated September 2009, 

expanded the scope of the project to include conducting a hydrological survey and installing a water 

well and treatment facility. CSTC-A requested the modification when water availability for the entire 

garrison at Herat became a problem, and the AFCEE CO modified the task order. However, neither 

CSTC-A nor AFCEE could provide us with documentation supporting the hydrological upgrade, which 

accounted for $2.2 million of the $3.2 million modification. 

After we raised questions about how scope changes were supported, CSTC-A initiated a plan to 

determine all utility requirements, i.e., water, wastewater, electrical, and drainage, for the twelve ANA 

garrison sites, including Herat. In doing so, CSTC-A officials acknowledged that utility assessments could 

better support future contracted utility work and would help ensure that these garrisons have proper 

power and other utility capacities. They further stated that by analyzing current in-place capacity, 

planned construction, population and mission, and other planning factors, the assessments could 

identify specific recommendations at each site for changes in the utility construction programs. In 

December 2010, CSTC-A engineers reported that assessments had been completed on 9 of the 12 ANA 
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 10

garrison sites, including Herat. The Herat assessment confirmed that a new well would be needed to 

accommodate an anticipated increased demand for water. However, it also found that an upgrade in 

treatment facilities would not necessarily be needed, depending on the quality of water produced 

through the recommended wells. In April 2010, the hydrology work was descoped because the two 

wells the contractor dug after completing the hydrological survey were dry, and CSTC-A did not have 

additional funding to drill more wells. 

The project at Herat also experienced delays and cost increases because of poor contractor 

performance, particularly with regard to cost and schedule management. Initial indications of poor 

contractor performance surfaced in both the quality assurance contractor’s correspondence and incountry COR reports as early as June 2009, only 3 months after surveying and other pre-excavation work 

had started. For example, in June 2009, the AFCEE COR sent an email to the contractor, AMEC, 

expressing concern that AMEC had completed only about 16 percent of the project and continued to 

average only about 1.5 percent progress per week. The COR added that AMEC had had many weeks 

with less than 1 percent progress. He estimated that, at current pace, AMEC would not finish until at 

least September 2010. In early August 2009, the COR reiterated these concerns directly to the AFCEE 

CO. For example, he informed the AFCEE CO that, while bad weather could account for some of the 

project’s delays, “all other delays are associated with the contractor’s performance.” On August 21, 

2009, the AFCEE CO submitted a letter of concern to AMEC, stating that “AMEC’s project 

management...has led to significant project completion delays.” The CO added that AFCEE had 

repeatedly raised concerns over this lack of performance and that AMEC had yet to take more than 

minimal actions to bring the progress to an acceptable rate. 

Reports submitted by the quality assurance contractor, Versar, Inc., indicate that the contractor also 

experienced serious difficulties preparing approvable design submittals, leading to delays. For example, 

on October 13, 2009, Versar noted an increase in the number of the contractor’s required submittals 

that the CO had classified as needing to be “revised and resubmitted” (R&R) or needing more extensive 

work . By November 22, 2009, the lack of approved submittals had become a significant problem, with 

17 unresolved R&R submittals. Some of these submittals dated back several months. For example, the 

contractor’s submitted warehouse renovation designs had been designated as R&R on July 9, 2009, but 

remained unresolved at the end of November. Until submittals are approved, the parts of the project 

covered under those submittals cannot proceed. 

In December 2009, the AFCEE CO again wrote to AMEC expressing concerns that the project was 

“significantly behind schedule and over budget.” He noted that, while quality of workmanship remained 

high, AMEC’s inability to maintain schedule and budget was a performance deficiency. For example, he 

cited a December 9, 2009, AFCEE report, which showed a 75 percent schedule growth and an estimated 

cost overrun of $1.68 million. Finally, a performance assessment by the COR found that the contractor’s 

adherence to the approved schedules was unsatisfactory, resulting in significant delays in project 

completion. For example, the COR recognized a trend —for every month of construction, the schedule 

was extended by between 1 and 1 1⁄2 months. 

At the end of June 2010, the AFCEE CO, having learned that AMEC had exhausted project funds, directed 

the contractor to suspend all work.9 According to a CSTC-A official, CSTC-A was not informed of this 

problem early enough to secure additional funding to finance the remaining work. The contractor 

acknowledged the order to suspend work and demobilized. 

 

9

 FAR clause 52.232-20 states that a contractor may not incur costs in excess of the estimated costs of the contract. 
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 11

When the contractor demobilized, the medical barracks were complete; the forward support depot, the 

dining facility, and two K-spans were largely complete, with the exception of some “punch list” items; 

and the third K-span was incomplete. For example, the third K-span had no exterior coating; no ceiling 

lights, fans, or interior insulation (Photo 1); and an unfinished latrine area (Photo 2). 

Photo 1: Unfinished K-Span at Herat with No 

Ceiling Lights, Fans or Interior Insulation

Photo 2: Unfinished Latrine Area in K-Span at 

Herat

Source: SIGAR, August 8, 2010. Source: SIGAR, August 7, 2010.

AFCEE turned the facilities over “as-is” to CSTC-A either for occupancy by the ANA or to complete the 

unfinished facilities. CSTC-A, in turn, transferred the completed medical barracks to the ANA and the 

remaining facilities to the engineers at Regional Support Command – West (RSC-W). During July and 

early August 2010, the RSC-W engineers addressed the minor deficiencies in the remaining facilities and 

turned over all of the facilities to the ANA, except for four—the dining facility and the three K-spans. 

The dining facility required additional contractor involvement to install the sinks and test the plumbing 

system. In addition, RSC-W awarded a $247,756 contract on November 18, 2010, to a local company to 

complete one of the three K-spans. Delayed facility completion set back the release of these facilities 

for occupancy and use by the ANA. In December 2010, an official from RSC-W informed us that it was 

still in possession of the three K-Spans because of continuing problems with the quality of construction. 

For example, RSC-W had found control panels with fuses that had been removed. In February 2011, 

CSTC-A and AFCEE officials informed us that the ANA had assumed occupancy of all facilities at Herat. 

Despite Contractor Performance Problems at Herat, the Contracting Officer Approved Cost 

Increases and Schedule Extensions and Failed to Follow up on Corrective Action Plans or 

Report Performance Deficiencies 

We found that the AFCEE CO in San Antonio, Texas, did not provide adequate contractor oversight of 

AMEC, the contractor at Herat. One of the guiding principles stipulated in the Air Force Acquisition 

Regulation Supplement is that contracting officers exercise effective leadership, sound business 

judgment, and risk management techniques. However, the AFCEE CO approved multiple cost increases 

and schedule extensions for the project at Herat, despite having identified significant concerns about 

AMEC’s performance. In addition, the CO failed to follow up on his own requests to the contractor to 

detail plans for improving performance and did not report the contractor’s performance deficiencies in 

CCASS to other U.S. contracting agencies in a timely manner. For example, the CO requested a 

corrective action plan (CAP) from AMEC three times during the course of the project, but we found no 

documentation indicating the CO followed up on the corrective actions outlined in the CAPs to ensure 

that contractor performance improved. We also found that the CO did not submit an evaluation of 
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 12

AMEC to CCASS, the database used by U.S. contracting officials to assess past performance of 

construction contractors. 

A detailed chronology of the CO’s funding and schedule decisions, as well as his formal communications 

with the contractor, point to a significant lack of proper oversight at Herat. 

 August 21, 2009 – November 12, 2009 

As noted above, the AFCEE CO first sent a letter to AMEC on August 21, 2009, expressing 

concern about significant project completion delays and requesting a CAP. Although AMEC 

provided a CAP, we found no correspondence between September 10, 2009 and November 12, 

2009, to indicate that the AFCEE CO followed up on the actions agreed to under this CAP. 

However, on September 30, 2009, the AFCEE CO approved a cost increase in the amount of 

$3.2 million for the hydrology upgrade described earlier in this report. He also extended the 

scheduled field construction completion date to January 15, 2010. 

 November 13, 2009 – December 22, 2009 

On November 13, 2009, the COR sent an e-mail to AMEC again indicating concerns about poor 

schedule management. This letter was followed by a December 11, 2009, performance 

deficiency letter sent from the AFCEE CO to AMEC because the project was still significantly 

behind schedule and over budget. The AFCEE CO warned in the letter that delays could force 

AFCEE’s customers to incur unnecessary expenses in order to erect temporary tent cities to 

house soldiers. The letter called for another CAP, which AMEC provided on December 22, 2009. 

 December 23, 2009 – April 14, 2010 

We found no correspondence between the AFCEE CO, AMEC, or the COR following up on the 

December 22 CAP. This break in communication regarding performance improvement lasted 

almost 4 months—between December 23, 2009 and April 14, 2010. However, during this time, 

there were indications of continued problems at Herat. For example, on December 30, 2009, 

AMEC submitted a proposal to AFCEE, requesting a 5-month extension and $3.7 million in 

additional funding to complete the project. The proposal indicated that the $3.7 million was 

needed, in large part, to cover the additional expenses associated with the delay, such as the 

costs of private security and rest and recuperation breaks for employees. On January 15, 2010, 

the CO extended the project’s field construction completion date to June 5, 2010. 

 April 15, 2010 – June 28, 2010 

On April 15, 2010, the AFCEE CO sent AMEC another performance deficiency letter and 

requested another CAP. We could not find any evidence that the contractor complied with the 

request for the new CAP. On April 19, 2010, the AFCEE CO descoped the hydrological work 

initially called for under modification 2. However, instead of directing AMEC to return the 

$1.3 million in remaining funds, the CO left those funds on the contract to offset the additional 

costs reported by the contractor on December 30. On June 16, 2010, the AFCEE CO increased 

the contract ceiling by another $2 million to cover more of the additional costs reported by 

AMEC at the end of December. He also extended the field construction completion date to 

June 30, 2010. As noted earlier in this report, the AFCEE CO issued a work suspension order to 

the contractor on June 28, 2010. 

Both during the project and after ordering the contractor to suspend work, the AFCEE CO failed to 

ensure that other contracting officials were made aware of AMEC’s performance at Herat. The FAR 
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 13

states that interim evaluations shall be prepared to provide current information for source selection 

purposes for contracts or orders with a period of performance, including options, exceeding 1 year. The 

FAR also requires that past performance evaluations be prepared at the time the work under the 

contract or order is completed and that these evaluations be submitted electronically to the Past 

Performance Information Retrieval System, which houses CCASS.10

 However, we found no interim 

evaluations of the contractor. In July 2010, immediately after the contractor demobilized, the COR 

submitted a less-than-satisfactory draft CCASS rating on AMEC to the CO, noting that the contractor had 

consistently demonstrated unsatisfactory management of materials, submittals, and subcontractors. 

However, as of February 2011, HQ AFCEE personnel had still not entered a final performance rating of 

the contractor in CCASS, although a draft rating had been provided to AMEC for its review. 

Consequently, other U.S. agencies did not have timely access to this contractor’s current performance 

information as they made contracting award determinations. 

FACILITIES AT MAZAR-E-SHARIF AND HERAT WERE GENERALLY WELL CONSTRUCTED 

The AFCEE-built facilities at Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat appeared to meet the overall requirements of the 

contract drawings and specifications, but we also identified a few minor design flaws. 

Based on the criteria described in the contract’s statement of work and related technical specifications, 

we made a site inspection of the commando compound and the forward support depot sites at 

Mazar-e-Sharif from July 19-20, 2010, and found that the buildings were generally constructed within 

contract specifications. For example, the buildings we inspected had interior finishes, fire alarms, 

lighting, and ceiling fans properly installed and appeared to conform to contract requirements. In the 

maintenance and warehouse areas, we observed solid construction for upper building levels and 

staircases leading to them. Photos 3 and 4 provide examples of completed construction at 

Mazar-e-Sharif. 

Photo 3: Enlisted Barracks at Mazar-e-Sharif

Photo 4: Vehicle Maintenance Building at 

Mazar-e-Sharif

Source: SIGAR, July 19, 2010. Source: SIGAR, July 19, 2010.

We also observed, however, some minor design weaknesses. For example, as shown in photo 5 below, 

polyvinyl chloride (PVC)11 piping was installed in the latrine and shower areas at sink level, within human 

 

10 FAR Subpart 42.15. 

11 PVC is a plastic material widely used in construction because it is inexpensive, durable, and easy to assemble. 
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 14

reach. This use of PVC piping, rather than a stronger material such as galvanized piping, could cause 

maintenance issues with wear and tear. 

Photo 5: PVC Piping at Sink Level at Mazar-e-Sharif

Source: SIGAR, July 20, 2010.

In addition, we found that “goose-neck” faucets were installed throughout the latrines and dining 

facilities and that insubstantial shower heads were used in the shower buildings. These plumbing 

fixtures will be more difficult to maintain long-term due to the heavy use they will receive. Photo 6 

shows goose-neck faucets in the latrine area; photo 7 shows insubstantial shower heads in the 

commando compound shower area. AFCEE officials we met with confirmed that “goose-neck” faucets 

are not sufficiently sturdy for the facilities in Afghanistan. CSTC-A has since updated its design 

specifications to call for the use of more durable low profile metal valves, rather than “goose-neck”

faucets. 

Photo 6: “Goose-Neck” Faucets in a Latrine Area 

at Mazar-e-Sharif

Photo 7: Insubstantial Shower Heads at 

Mazar-e-Sharif

Source: SIGAR, July 19, 2010. Source: SIGAR, July 19, 2010.
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 15

At the time of our site inspection, the ANA had occupied most of the newly constructed buildings, and 

these facilities appeared in good condition with only minimal signs of daily use. The ANA was also in the 

process of assuming occupancy of the other buildings constructed under the contract. 

Although most of the facilities at Herat were not sufficiently complete to pass final inspection when we 

conducted our site visits, the construction that had been completed appeared to meet overall 

requirements, with a few minor construction issues. We made a visual inspection of the site from June 

26 – 28, 2010, and again from August 7 – 8, 2010. At the time of our June visit, the medical barracks was 

the only facility that was sufficiently complete to pass final inspection. For example, at the warehouse 

building, we observed unfinished wiring and doors that were not squared and therefore did not work. 

However, for the most part, the facilities we inspected in August appeared to be well-constructed. 

Based on the criteria described in the contract’s statement of work and related technical specifications, 

we found that the buildings were generally constructed within contract specifications. For example, the 

buildings we inspected appeared to have properly applied finishes both on the interior and exterior, 

windows and doors were installed and working, and plumbing and electrical systems were operational. 

Photo 8 provides an example of completed construction at Herat. This photo shows that the concrete 

floor slabs in the forward support depot storage area appeared to be well-finished and sealed with an 

epoxy coating, as evidenced by the light reflection. 

Photo 8: Forward Support Depot Storage Area at 

Herat

Source: SIGAR, August 8, 2010

During our inspections, we also identified some minor deficiencies. For example, while the grading of 

the site appeared generally adequate, we identified areas where drainage problems may occur, such as 

on the uphill end of one of the K-spans. As shown in photo 9 below, this area has a significant 

embankment that was excavated to accommodate the building. Any runoff from the embankment will 

drain toward the building, causing pooling and potential flooding. 
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 16

Photo 9: Problematic Grading next to K-Span 3

Source: SIGAR August 4 – 7, 2010

EFFORTS TO ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY OF MAZAR-E-SHARIF AND HERAT FACILITIES DID NOT 

OCCUR IN A TIMELY MANNER 

Although AFCEE and CSTC-A have taken steps to provide for the sustainment of the facilities at 

Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat, these efforts did not occur in a timely manner. First, AFCEE did not arrange 

for the facilities at Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat to be covered under the operations and maintenance 

(O&M) contract for CSTC-A funded facilities in Afghanistan in a timely manner. Coverage under this 

contract is important in the short term for ensuring that the facilities will be repaired should damage 

occur. Second, although CSTC-A updated its “austere” or “Afghan-friendly” construction standards and 

developed a mechanism for taking feedback from key stakeholders into account when revising these 

standards, these updates were not available to contractors at the time of the Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat 

projects. These updated standards should help transition responsibility for maintenance of these 

facilities to the Afghan government in the long term. 

Facilities at Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat Were Not Added to the O&M Contract in a Timely 

Manner 

AFCEE did not arrange for the facilities at Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat to be added to the O&M contract for 

CSTC-A funded facilities in Afghanistan in a timely manner.12

 According to CSTC-A policy, a meeting to, 

among other things, coordinate O&M coverage is required when construction is 80 percent complete. 

In addition, O&M contracting officials told us that they typically need 90 days to modify the O&M 

contract to add completed facilities to it. However, at Mazar-e-Sharif, AFCEE held turnover meetings 

about 3 months after reaching the 80-percent complete milestone and less than 60 days before 

turnover. At Herat, AFCEE held meetings about 1 month after reaching the 80-percent milestone. 

Consequently, there were delays in O&M coverage for the facilities. For example, the commando 

 

12The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded two new O&M contracts for ANSF facilities in July 2010 to cover 

facilities in northern and southern Afghanistan for $450 million and $350 million, respectively. These indefinite 

delivery/indefinite quantity contracts have task orders for O&M activities written against the contracts for specific 

locations. 
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 17

compound facilities at Mazar-e-Sharif were occupied in April 2010 but were not covered under the O&M 

contract until July 1, 2010, and the forward support depot area at Mazar-e-Sharif was completed in June 

2010 but not covered until July 1, 2010. In addition, although a modification to the O&M contract was 

initiated to provide coverage for the Herat facilities on August 1, 2010, the modification was not signed 

until August 27, 2010, after all but four of the facilities had been completed and turned over to the ANA. 

These delays exposed AFCEE to unnecessary liability because any damage to the facilities would not 

have been covered under construction contractor warranty. Such damage would have required local or

regional contracting centers or other organizations to fund contracts to repair the damage, thereby 

increasing costs to the U.S. government. 

In August 2010, we raised concerns about timely O&M coverage with both CSTC-A and AFCEE officials. 

In January 2011, AFCEE updated its procedures to provide for O&M coverage in order to ensure that 

maintenance and sustainment is provided to newly constructed facilities upon project completion and 

that there is a smooth coordinated transition between the contractor, AFCEE, and project stakeholders. 

According to a CSTC-A official, the O&M process has been working more effectively since AFCEE updated 

its procedures. For example, he stated that in his weekly construction meetings with O&M managers 

from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Afghanistan Engineer Districts – North and South the managers have 

reported seeing an improvement in the facilitation of O&M coverage. 

CSTC-A Updated Afghan-Friendly Construction Standards, but New Standards Were Not 

Available for the Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat Projects 

A key development that will influence the Afghan government’s ability to sustain U.S.-funded facilities 

without U.S. assistance is the CSTC-A move toward “austere,” or “Afghan-friendly,” construction 

standards for ANSF facilities. Although U.S. officials have stated that the government of Afghanistan 

does not currently have the financial or technical capacity to sustain ANSF facilities once they are 

completed, CSTC-A has plans to transfer all O&M maintenance responsibility for these facilities to the 

Afghan government by 2013. In an August 2009 memorandum, CSTC-A identified specific construction 

specifications, such as the use of plain concrete floors instead of tiled floors, which would better meet 

the needs of the ANSF and minimize the level of damage likely to occur at these facilities. According to 

CSTC-A, these standards were an attempt to provide uniform guidance to help ensure the long-term 

sustainability of U.S.-funded construction in Afghanistan. During a previous audit,13 we found that CSTCA’s guidance on these austere standards could be improved, and we recommended a one-time update 

to the memorandum. 

On February 3, 2011, CSTC-A issued an updated memorandum on “austere” construction specifications. 

CSTC-A officials explained that developing construction standards for use by the ANSF has been a 

learning experience regarding cultural differences, and that the changes to the standards reflect the 

results of that experience. For example, the standards have been updated to eliminate the use of 

“goose-neck” faucets would break easily because, as CSTC-A learned, they were often mistaken for 

water pumps. Similarly, the standards have been revised to eliminate the use of pedestal sinks to 

accommodate cultural practices regarding the washing of feet. Now, the standards call for trough-type 

concrete sinks directly to the floor and capable of supporting a person’s weight. 

In this audit, we also found that CSTC-A, using feedback from the O&M contractors, the ANSF (the 

facility end-users), and construction companies, could leverage lessons learned to identify and 

 

13

 SIGAR Audit 10-12, ANP Compound at Kandahar Generally Met Contract Terms but Has Project Planning, Oversight, and 

Sustainability Issues, July 22, 2010.
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 18

implement austere standards on a more routine basis. When we performed site inspections, we 

discussed construction specifications with O&M contract personnel, O&M contractor oversight 

personnel, and AFCEE personnel. These individuals suggested many improvements regarding design 

specifications. For example, they suggested that CSTC-A require using externally mounted, short shower 

heads instead of flexible-neck systems that are less durable and require using locally available plumbing 

fixtures. At the time, they had no process for providing these suggestions to CSTC-A for vetting, 

approval, and distribution. 

In August 2010, SIGAR auditors raised this issue with CSTC-A, and CSTC-A has since instituted a 

mechanism incorporating feedback and updating the standards. Specifically, in its February 3, 2011, 

memo, CSTC-A wrote that the construction standards for Afghanistan Security Forces Fund projects will 

be formally reviewed and updated every 6 months and that “everyone is encouraged to submit 

recommendations and lessons learned...as often as is needed.” These updated standards (and the new 

process for reviewing them on a regular basis) should help communicate consistent design 

specifications, minimize O&M training requirements, better use funds for sustainable construction, and 

decrease long-term maintenance costs. 

CONCLUSION 

As the U.S. military transfers responsibility to the ANA to provide for its own security, the importance of 

having well-constructed and sustainable facilities available for these forces increases. The U.S. 

government has an interest in ensuring that the funds used to pay for these facilities are used for their 

intended purpose. However, our review shows that at Herat, the AFCEE CO approved more than 

$5 million in funding increases for the project and several schedule extensions, even though he was 

aware that the contractor had significant difficulty staying within budget and maintaining a schedule. At 

best, this suggests that the CO did not exercise proper due diligence in his oversight of the contractor. 

Without concrete steps in place to strengthen contractor oversight and provide timely contactor 

performance information to other contracting agencies, other ANA facilities under similar contracting 

arrangements may be at risk. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

To strengthen contractor oversight and ensure that other U.S. contracting agencies have accurate 

information on contractor performance, SIGAR is making two recommendations to the Director of 

AFCEE, specifically: 

1. establish and implement procedures (including specific deadlines) to ensure that contracting 

officers follow up on contractors’ corrective action plans in a timely manner; and 

2. take immediate action to finalize the performance rating of AMEC, the prime contractor at 

Camp Zafar, and add this rating to CCASS. 
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 19

COMMENTS 

AFCEE and CSTC-A provided comments on a draft of this report, which are included in appendixes II and 

III, respectively. In response to our first recommendation, AFCEE stated that, although it has an 

established and effective practice of communicating performance issues with contractors, the CO will 

begin including a follow up suspense date (or specific deadline) in the performance deficiency 

letter/corrective action plan process. According to AFCEE, by documenting that date in performance 

deficiency letters, all stakeholders (including the CO, COR, and contractors) will be informed and take 

the required actions. We believe that instituting this practice is an improvement and suggest that AFCEE 

monitor its use to determine if it is a sufficient procedure for ensuring that contracting officers conduct 

timely follow up. In response to our second recommendation, AFCEE commented that it has now 

prepared and submitted the rating to CCASS for AMEC’s performance on the ANA garrison facilities at

Herat. AFCEE also stated that due to an error within CCASS, the rating was accepted as an interim, 

rather than a final rating. AFCEE has requested that this error be corrected. CSTC-A commented that it 

concurred with our finding that the quality of construction at both Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat met 

contract requirements. 
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 20

APPENDIX I: SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY 

This report provides the results of the Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan 

Reconstruction’s (SIGAR) review of two construction task orders funded by the Combined Security 

Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A) and implemented by the Air Force Center for Engineering 

and the Environment (AFCEE) to complete projects to provide additional medical and forward support 

facilities at the Afghan National Army (ANA) garrisons in Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat provinces. This report 

(1) examines modifications to the task orders awarded to CH2M Hill Constructors, Inc. (CH2M Hill) and 

AMEC Earth and Environmental, Inc. (AMEC), the prime construction contractors, and assesses the 

nature and adequacy of project oversight by AFCEE; (2) determines whether construction at 

Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat met the terms of the task orders; and (3) evaluates efforts to ensure 

sustainability of the facilities. 

To examine whether contract modifications and construction at the two sites met the terms of the task 

orders, SIGAR met with officials from AFCEE (based in San Antonio, Texas), AFCEE-Afghanistan, CSTC-A, 

CH2M Hill and AMEC, and the quality assurance contractor (Versar, Inc.). We reviewed the contract 

documentation, including statements of work, modifications, email documents, and contract officer 

correspondence. We conducted site inspections of both locations between June 27, 2010, and August 8, 

2010. In addition, former Inspector General Arnold Fields conducted a site inspection of the 

Mazar-e-Sharif facilities in September 2010. During our site visits, we inspected the interior and exterior 

of all buildings, as well as the grounds within the perimeter of the construction sites as outlined in the 

contract and supporting documents. Site inspections were documented with still photography. We did 

not use computer-processed data to determine the construction status; however, we relied extensively 

on documentation available on the prime and quality assurance contractor Web sites (designed and 

provided in accordance with AFCEE contracts). We also reviewed electronic files and correspondence 

from AFCEE-Afghanistan and CSTC-A. 

To assess project oversight, we met with officials from AFCEE, AFCEE-Afghanistan, Versar, Inc., and 

CSTC-A. We reviewed criteria and guidance in the Federal Acquisition Regulation, the quality assurance 

reports, and AFCEE guidance for construction to determine if the contracting process and oversight of 

the contracts met AFCEE regulations and contract requirements. Additionally, we reviewed AFCEE 

guidance to determine the roles and responsibilities for AFCEE and AFCEE-Afghanistan personnel. 

To evaluate efforts to sustain constructed facilities, we held discussions with officials from AFCEEAfghanistan, CSTC-A, CH2M Hill, and AMEC. During site visits, we also met with officials from the 

operations and maintenance contractor, Afghanistan Engineer District-South, and Regional Support 

Command-North and -West. We also reviewed austere standards documentation and other CSTC-A, 

Afghanistan Engineer District-North, and Afghanistan Engineer District - South guidance on Afghanfriendly construction. 

We conducted work in San Antonio, Texas; Kabul, Mazar-e-Sharif, and Herat, Afghanistan; and 

Washington, D.C., from May 2010 to April 2011, in accordance with generally accepted government 

auditing standards. These standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain sufficient, 

appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit 

objectives. We believe that the evidence obtained provides a reasonable basis for our findings and 

conclusions based on our audit objectives. This audit was also conducted under the authority of Public 

Law 110-181, as amended, the Inspector General Act of 1978, and the Inspector General Reform Act of 

2008. 
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 21

APPENDIX II: COMMENTS FROM AIR FORCE CENTER FOR ENGINEERING AND THE 

ENVIRONMENT 
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 22
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 23

APPENDIX III: COMMENTS FROM COMBINED SECURITY TRANSITION COMMANDAFGHANISTAN 
SIGAR Audit-9 Contract Performance and Oversight/ANA Facilities Page 24

(This report was conducted under the audit project code SIGAR-025A).
SIGAR’s Mission The mission of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan 

Reconstruction (SIGAR) is to enhance oversight of programs for 

the reconstruction of Afghanistan by conducting independent 

and objective audits, inspections, and investigations on the use 

of taxpayer dollars and related funds. SIGAR works to provide 

accurate and balanced information, evaluations, analysis, and 

recommendations to help the U.S. Congress, U.S. agencies, and 

other decision-makers to make informed oversight, policy, and 

funding decisions to:

 improve effectiveness of the overall reconstruction 

strategy and its component programs;

 improve management and accountability over funds 

administered by U.S. and Afghan agencies and their 

contractors;

 improve contracting and contract management 

processes;

 prevent fraud, waste, and abuse; and

 advance U.S. interests in reconstructing Afghanistan.

Obtaining Copies of SIGAR Reports 

and Testimonies

To obtain copies of SIGAR documents at no cost, go to SIGAR’s 

Web site (www.sigar.mil). SIGAR posts all released reports, 

testimonies, and correspondence on its Web site.

To Report Fraud, Waste, and 

Abuse in Afghanistan 

Reconstruction Programs

To help prevent fraud, waste, and abuse by reporting 

allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, and 

reprisal contact SIGAR’s hotline:

 Web: www.sigar.mil/fraud

 Email: hotline@sigar.mil

 Phone Afghanistan: +93 (0) 700-10-7300

 Phone DSN Afghanistan 318-237-2575

 Phone International: +1-866-329-8893

 Phone DSN International: 312-664-0378

 U.S. fax: +1-703-604-0983

Public Affairs Public Affairs Officer

 Phone: 703-602-8742 

 Email: PublicAffairs@sigar.mil

 Mail: SIGAR Public Affairs

400 Army Navy Drive

Arlington, VA 22202