SETTING THE STANDARD AT UMM QASR

THE CHALLENGE Reconstruct Iraq! December 2003 found the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Iraq confronted with the challenge of initiating an $18.4 billion dollar reconstruction program. Major reconstruction contracts were not yet in place, but Administrator Bremer was determined to begin the reconstruction program in order to demonstrate tangible progress to the Iraqi population. The CPA turned to existing DoD indefinite delivery contracts to serve as “bridges” until more deliberate reconstruction specific contracts could be put into place. WESTON Solutions was one of 19 contractors to respond to an Air Force Request for Proposal (RFP) on 16 December 2003 to reconstruct facilities at the Umm Qasr Naval Base to support future stationing of Iraqi Armed Forces. The facilities at the former Naval Base were completely destroyed as a result of the first Gulf War, lack of maintenance and repair for over 10 years, and the 2d Gulf War.