Coalition and Afghan National Army host ‘contract rodeo’ to build Nangarhar community’s security

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Written by Sgt. Tracy J. Smith 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Friday, 08 January 2010 14:39

 

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – A Soldier with the1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, Task Force Mountain Warrior, works with his Afghan National Army partners to secure a former Soviet military facility during what Task Force Rough Rider calls a contractor’s rodeo. The round-up of more than 135 potential building firms was to walk through the area and bid on three separate work projects. The upgraded area will be a headquarters for the ANA’s 2nd Kandak, 201st Corps and will be shared with Coalition partners assigned to train and fight with the Afghan Warriors. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tracy J. Smith, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs)NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Afghan National Army soldiers and Coalition Forces greeted potential contractors for a proposed new forward operating base in the Shinwar district. 

The proposed FOB is a former British fort converted for use during the Soviet occupation more than 30 years ago and will now be used as a modernized hub for the ANA’s 2nd Kandak, 201st Corps.


“This meeting is to give potential contractors a walkthrough of the area so that they will have a solid overview of the scope of work,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Fernando E. Roach, a contracting officer with the 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, Task Force Mountain Warrior.
 
More than 135 builder candidates signed on for the open bid for three separate projects: container living spaces for ANA Soldiers and assigned Coalition forces, renovation of former Soviet structures and building a wall that will encompass approximately two kilometers.

Fairzahn, a young Afghan law student, accompanied his boss to the grounds to have a first-hand look at the process and to assist in deciphering the bidding guidelines and contractual legal terms. His future plans are greater.

“I will use this as a learning opportunity,” the Jalalabad University student said.  “My hope is to make a difference in [Afghanistan’s] judicial system and also work to combat corruption.”

Civil engineers overseeing the construction process say this is the largest project to date in Nangarhar. The monetary value is great, but the opportunity to foster relations within the Afghan National Security Force and Shinwar communities is greater.

“This is a frontier district with [the] enemy attempting to cross our borders,” ANA Capt. Abdul Samad, Weapons COY Commander, 2nd Kandak, 201st Corps said of the strategic advantage. “The people support us and once we establish our base here we, [the ANSF] can respond to their needs and ensure a secure future of our people.”

The 1st Sqdn., 108th Cav. Regt. Rough Rider’s offering security alongside their U.S. and ANA partners was a show of unification. But, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jim Wilson, a scout platoon section leader from Ellijay, Ga., saw the process as a platform for economic solidarity.  

“This promotes competition and the need to keep the [money] in the country,” Wilson stated. “Competition brings out the best in most folks and this will help build their economy and ability to do quality control.”

As the FOB infrastructure takes shape, improvements outside of the facility’s walls will be necessary. Using the current Cash-for-Work program, civilian housing and road construction projects will inevitably follow.

Roach, smiling as he answered questions from the crowd, spoke with Samad about the future of the location and the Warriors agreed it was a natural selection.

“With the advent of these projects, and other contracting possibilities, the economy and the security within the district will benefit greatly,” Roach said.

 

 

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army 1st Lt. Fernando E. Roach, 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment contracts officer from Washington, D.C. (right); Capt. Abdul Samad, Afghan National Army Weapons COY, 2nd Kandak, 201st Corps Commander; U.S. Marine Sgt. William M. Rowe, 3rd Marine Div., supply noncommissioned officer and a mentor for the ANA’s Weapons COY from Dayton, Ohio (center); and U.S. Marine Maj. J.P. McDonough, 3rd Marine Div. and Embedded Training Team officer in charge from St. Louis, Mo., finalize security and processes with U.S. Air Force civil engineers, during the joint Afghan-Coalition contractors’ rodeo in the Shinwar District. The round-up of more than 135 potential contractors gave Afghan building firms a chance to access the scope of work in a walk through the ruins of a late 1800 era British fort that was later used during the Soviet occupation more than 30 years ago. The contractors will have the opportunity to bid for three separate work projects in the area that will be a headquarters for the 2nd Kandak, 201st Corps and will be shared with Coalition partners assigned to train and fight with the Afghan Warriors. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tracy J. Smith, 48th IBCT Public Affairs) NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jim Wilson, of Ellijay, Ga., speaks with a young Afghan boy while providing security at the Shinwar district contractor’s rodeo. “This promotes competition and competition brings out the best in most folks,” Wilson said of the opportunity. The round-up of more than 135 potential Afghan building firms was to walk through the area and bid for three separate work projects. The upgraded area will be a headquarters for the 2nd Kandak, 201st Corps and will be shared with Coalition partners assigned to train and fight with the Afghan Warriors. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tracy J. Smith, 48th IBCT Public Affairs)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Air Force Capt. Edgar A. Jimenez of Milpitas, Calif., a civil engineer with Task Force Mountain Warrior assists one of the more than 135 potential contractors with the sign-in process during a joint Afghan-Coalition contractors’ rodeo. Potential Afghan building firms were able to walk through the ruins of a late 1800-era British fort that was later used during the Soviet occupation more than 30 years ago to access the scope of work during and eventually bid for three separate projects. The upgraded area will be a headquarters for the 2nd Kandak, 201st Corps and will be shared with Coalition partners assigned to train and fight with the Afghan Warriors. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tracy J. Smith, 48th IBCT Public Affairs)
 

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Last Updated on Friday, 08 January 2010 18:29