“Odierno said, ‘I’ve got three million pieces of equipment I’ve got to get out of Iraq, I’ve got 100 or so bases to close, I’ve got to move 80,000-plus people out of here and you want me to change horses in the middle of the stream?’” Casey recounted.
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Interesting news. I thought the current administration made a point of limiting the practice of no-bid contracts in this war? Reality sets in I guess…..
My only thoughts on this whole deal is that the DoD realizes that they actually need KBR for the massive draw down in Iraq, and the build up in Afghanistan. It is a crucial time period, and it could be costly and time consuming to switch companies during this time period. The bottom line–the DoD and the administration needs KBR, if they want to be successful in their current strategies. Hell, the numbers and facts speak for themselves and we are more vital than ever before to the current war effort. –Matt
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KBR to Get No-Bid Army Work as U.S. Alleges Kickbacks
May 06, 2010
(Updates with General Casey’s comment in 10th and 11th paragraphs, McCaskill comment in third paragraph from end.)
By Tony Capaccio
May 6 (Bloomberg) — KBR Inc. was selected for a no-bid contract worth as much as $568 million through 2011 for military support services in Iraq, the Army said.
The Army announced its decision yesterday only hours after the Justice Department said it will pursue a lawsuit accusing the Houston-based company of taking kickbacks from two subcontractors on Iraq-related work. The Army also awarded the work to KBR over objections from members of Congress, who have pushed the Pentagon to seek bids for further logistics contracts.
The Justice Department said the government will join a suit filed by whistleblowers alleging that two freight-forwarding firms gave KBR transportation department employees kickbacks in the form of meals, drinks, sports tickets and golf outings.