New 205th Corps Commanders Brings Procurement Reform Emphasis

Courtesy Photo | The 205th Corps Procurement Advisor, Mike Carlson has brought almost 30 years' of professional military program management and procurement experience to advise the 205th Corps Contracting Chief, Col. Mahmood Sarwar. Carlson has seen great improvements in the contracting process since the new 205th Corps Commander and new 205th Corps Contracting Chief have arrived.  

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN

06.26.2015

Courtesy Story

7th Infantry Division

By Lt. Col. Justin “Jud” Kraft, TAAC-South Essential Function 1 Budget Lead

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - The recent appointment of Brig. Gen. Dawood Shah Wafadar as the 205th Corps Commander has brought more than just a change in leadership. Shah is committed to procurement reform and much needed efficiency improvements. Shortly after assuming command, Shah displayed his commitment to procurement reform by attending a bid opening event, and addressed several vendors submitting bids for three solar power projects and a separate construction project. Shah directed the vendors to follow all established contracting rules, and not permit corruption with regard to working with the government. Shah further stated to the vendors that if they had any problems doing business within the 205th Corps, they would have the opportunity to take issues up with him personally. This was the first time in the past year a 205th Corps Commander had either attended a contract bid opening or publicly displayed an anti-corruption stance.

The current contracting bid process requires a 2 to 5 percent cash deposit or letter of credit be presented at the bid opening to show good faith the contractor has the assets to perform the required services. In past years, vendors would provide letters of credit at the bid opening, yet the process was quickly corrupted as vendors would simply bribe bank employees to provide fraudulent letters of credit. Having vendors bring cash to bid openings also has its own associated problems, given that according to Transparency International, Afghanistan is the listed as the fourth most corrupt country in the world. That is why it is important for the future of Afghanistan to have transparent leaders like Shah to emphasize a hardline, anti-corruption stance.

The 205th Corps Procurement Advisor, Mike Carlson has brought almost 30 years of professional military program management and procurement experience to advise the 205th Corps Contracting Chief, Col. Mahmood Sarwar. Carlson has seen great improvements in the contracting process since the new 205th Corps Commander and new 205th Corps Contracting Chief have arrived. When asked about the new leadership, Carlson said “Brig. Gen. Shah has proven to be a changing force here at the 205th Corps with his anti-corruption and transparency focus.”

Evident in the commitment of both Sarwar and Shah to gain efficiencies in the contracting process has been their decision to relocate the 205th Corps Contracting office. The contracting office currently resides in a converted dormitory, simply not conducive to effective office work. With deft guidance provided by Carlson, Sarwar was able to present three courses of action to Shah resulting in selection of a new office location. The new location offers more space to conduct daily duties, allow access and control of vendors, and will now offer an organic location to host bidding conferences.

Shah has set a new tone for the future of the 205th Corps. His focus on anti-corruption and transparency has been applauded by his coalition partners, but more importantly has been noticed by the nearly twenty-thousand soldiers in the 205th Corps. It is clear business will not be conducted as usual in the 205th Corps under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Dawood Shah Wafadar.

• Date Taken: 06.26.2015
• Date Posted: 06.27.2015 00:05
• Story ID: 168376
• Location: KANDAHAR, AF