Bidder’s conference places Afghans in control

Courtesy Photo | Afghans listen as contract announcements are made for both contracts for installing a generator and English language training at Paktya University in Gardez, Paktya Province. Announcements were made during a bidder’s conference conducted by the 2-45th Agribusiness Development Team Feb. 10. The contracts will provide the university with electricity and also increase the faculty’s understanding of the English language. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. John P Sklaney III)  

PAKTYA PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

02.10.2011

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Afghan government officials and Soldiers of the 2-45th Agribusiness Development Team conducted a bidder’s conference at the governor’s compound in Gardez Feb. 10.

The bidder’s conference allowed Afghan officials and the ADT to discuss upcoming projects at Paktya University and for Afghans to gain an understanding of what is expected and what must be included in bids submitted for each project.

“Each of the contractors was required to provide information about their company. The ADT will use that information to stay in contact with the contractors,” said U.S. Army Spc. Crystal Sims, from Duncan, Okla., a project manager for the ADT. “Only those Afghans who attended the conference will be eligible to have their bids considered for either of the two projects.”

The first project is to install a generator at the university. Once installed, the generator will provide reliable power crucial for the upcoming project to provide Internet service to the university’s computer lab, classrooms and offices. The generator contract will include a five-year maintenance service plan.

“In the long run, this project will create countless new opportunities for the faculty which will advance the university’s agricultural program,” said Chancellor Payar of Paktya University. “A reliable source of electricity has been something that the university has wrestled with over the past few years,” he added.

The second project is to teach English to university faculty. This course will provide 12 months of language training.

The training will create opportunities for the faculty and advance the university’s agricultural program by assisting faculty members in pursuing higher education opportunities and facilitating exchange programs with other universities around the world.

“These projects will enhance the ability of the university to teach,” said U.S. Army Spc. Mandy Kennedy, from Ellsworth, Wis., education specialist for the ADT. “Most of the instructors have some level of knowledge regarding the English language, but they need additional training in order to be proficient.”

More than 20 Afghan contractors attended the conference. The conference’s primary purpose was to cover what was expected for the two projects: timeframe for project completion, equipment requirements, training curriculum, length of training and verification inspections during the length of the contract.

“Each of these contractors should be commended for taking interest in bettering not only their company, but also all of Paktya Province,” said Payar. “The two contracts will improve the ability of the university to provide a quality education for Afghans in Paktya Province with electricity and language training,” he added.

Contractors interested in submitting bids for either or both projects have until March 3 to submit the required paperwork to the ADT. After the bid process is closed, Afghan government officials and the ADT will review all of the proposals and select the best individual contractor for each of the two university projects.

“The ADT will work with the appropriate Afghan government officials to select the best qualified for each of the contracts,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. John Altebaumer, from Guthrie, Okla., agricultural team chief for the ADT. “The ADT’s role is to facilitate a better understanding of what is expected to be submitted in each of the contractors’ bids.”

“Afghan government officials will make the final selection, and the winning contract should be awarded by the end of March, which coincides with the return of students to the university,” said Kennedy.

“Building upon the success of this conference, future bidder conferences will focus on building cool storage facilities and also animal husbandry projects across the province,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Lorn McKinzie, from Depew, Okla., the senior noncommissioned officer for the agricultural section of the ADT and moderator during the bidder’s conference.

The bidder’s conference, while not the first for the ADT, laid additional groundwork for Afghans to take the lead in establishing agricultural projects that are sustainable and relevant to the needs of farmers in Paktya Province.

• Date Taken: 02.10.2011
• Date Posted: 02.12.2011 20:39
• Story ID: 65339
• Location: PAKTYA PROVINCE, AF