Objective
Our objective was to determine whether
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
effectively monitored contractor performance
to respond to Hurricane Sandy. Specifically,
we determined whether contracting officer’s
representatives (CORs) from the USACE,
New York District performed effective
contractor oversight and surveillance.
USACE, New York District identified
13 ongoing Hurricane Sandy contracts
related to construction, dredging, and
restoration. We nonstatistically selected
3 of 13 contracts.
Finding
CORs from the USACE, New York District
effectively monitored contractor performance
for two of the three Hurricane Sandy
contracts reviewed. Specifically, the CORs
for contracts W912DS-13-C-0045 and
W912DS‑14-C-0028 visited the project
sites, prepared monthly reports based
on daily reports from quality assurance
and contractor personnel, attended and
documented the preconstruction meetings
with the contractors, and maintained
required contract documentation.
However, the COR for contract
W912DS‑13-C-0043 did not effectively
monitor contractor performance.
Specifically, the COR only made minimal
visits to the project site even though it was
not visited by quality assurance officials on a
regular basis. In addition, the COR’s monthly
reports were not timely or accurate. Further,
the COR did not maintain required contract
documentation in his COR file. This occurred because the
COR relied almost solely on program officials to monitor
quality controls and project progress and did not monitor or
verify contractor performance. In addition, the procuring
contracting officer did not review COR documentation or
oversee the COR’s efforts to monitor contractor performance,
as required by the Federal Acquisition Regulation. As a result,
the procuring contracting officer and COR put the Government
at risk by not effectively ensuring that the contractor complied
with the terms and conditions of the contract.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Commander, USACE, New York District
provide training for the COR for contract W912DS‑13-C-0043
on oversight responsibilities to effectively monitor
contractor performance.
Management Comments
and Our Response
The Commander, USACE, New York District, fully addressed all
specifics of the recommendations, and no further comments
are required.