Friday, October 2, 2009
Afghanistan: General McChrystal on 60 Minutes
Legal News: Law Restricting U.S. State Department Security Hiring
All I have to say on this one is you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. Add this to the long list about ‘what not to do, when deciding to use contract security’. –Matt
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Law restricting US State Department security hiring
10/02/2009
WASHINGTON — A congressionally mandated panel warned that existing US law prevents the State Department from hiring the best contractors to provide security at diplomatic installations worldwide.
According to a report by the independent Commission on Wartime Contracting, a law dating back to February 1990 requires the State Department to “award contracts to the technically acceptable firm offering the lowest evaluated price.”
But other government agencies can choose their contractors on the basis of “best value,” the commission said.
The report called for an end to the legislative requirement and for new rules freeing the State Department to use different evaluation methods.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Industry Talk: Were ArmorGroup Allegations Quashed?
Attkisson asked Krongard about the conflict of interest:
Attkisson: Did you know your own brother was on ArmorGroup’s board of directors?
Krongard: No , I did not.
Attkisson: Why didn’t you know?
Krongard: Dunno. I guess No. 1 I’m not sure why I should’ve known, but No. 2 he never told me.
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Come on!…… You have to be kidding me, right? Howard had no idea that his own flesh and blood was a member of AGNA’s board of directors? Pfffft.
This just keeps getting better and better. All of this, because a few leaders did not have the courage to do what is right. –Matt
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Were ArmorGroup Allegations Quashed?
State Department Inspector Gen.’s Office “Lost” Complaint against Troubled Security Co.
By Sharyl Attkisson
09/30/2009
Howard Krongar’s job was to investigate alleged misconduct at the U.S. embassy in Kabul. Sharyl Attkisson reports on how one of his personal relationships may have prevented him from doing so.
A hearing has been held over the recently-leaked photos which reveal allegedly lewd behavior by employees hired to provide security for the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. Sharyl Attkisson reports.
John Gorman, a former manager with ArmorGroup, the private company hired to provide security at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul details what he knew and what happened when he tried to stop it.
Krongard is accused of improperly burying legitimate allegations against security contractors Blackwater and ArmorGroup while, and perhaps because, his brother sat on the boards of directors of those compines while he was charged with investigating them.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Industry Talk: In Building Afghan Army, It’s Back to Basics
It looks to me that Walter just opened up the synopsis on FBO about this contract, and pointed out the key elements. Which is great, but this is nothing new. Contractors have been taking on extremely complex and tough tasks for awhile now. Although I do want to thank him for bringing attention to what we do out there. –Matt
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In Building Afghan Army, It’s Back to Basics
By Walter PincusTuesday, September 29, 2009
Building up Afghanistan’s army, which has become a top priority in the Obama administration’s strategy, will not be simple, no matter how many more U.S. troops are going to be provided Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal.
Army building, like nation building, is a challenge in a country in which corruption is rife and illiteracy is high. Nine out of 10 new Afghan army recruits cannot read or write, according to recent news reports.
One way to gauge how the U.S. military sees this job is to look at the tasks that have been drawn up for the 175 contractors to be hired to help mentor and train personnel at the Afghan Ministry of Defense.
The U.S. Army Materiel Command has provided bidders for this two-year contract with a 96-page statement of work. It details the tasks to be performed by teams assigned to each of the 18 functional areas within the ministry.
Many of the tasks reflect Pentagon practices transferred to Afghanistan. For example, the contractor is to “develop and deliver an education program on ethical practices for key leaders” in the offices of Defense Minister Rahim Wardak and his top deputies. They are also to develop an ethical code of conduct for leaders, as well as “a tracking system for allegations of corruption.”