Dioxin Remediation at Bien Hoa Airbase Area Project Quarterly Report FY21 First Quarter – October 01 to December 31, 2020

This agreement marked a significant milestone in the project's progress. During the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2021, several key events and milestones were achieved. On October 15, 2020, USAID and ADAFC hosted a coordination meeting with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and the A&E Bien Hoa Contractor to discuss the technology chosen for isolation at the Long-Term Storage Area (LTSA) and soil treatment at the ZT Area. USAID provided an overview of the procurement steps to solicit a design, build, and operate (DBO) treatment contractor using Thermal Conductive Heating (TCH). The A&E Bien Hoa Contractor also implemented several activities during the quarter. On October 2, 2020, Regiment 935 and the A&E Bien Hoa Contractor co-hosted a coordination meeting at the Project Site Office for land handover and remediation at the off-Airbase area of Gate 2 Lake (G2L). The meeting attendees included USAID, Dong Nai Department of Natural Resources and the Environment (DONRE), the Bien Hoa City Office of Natural Resources and Environment, representatives from Quang Vinh Ward, IM1 Contractor, Sonadezi Environmental JSC (SZE), and the G2L park maintenance contractor. The A&E Bien Hoa Contractor also delineated the boundary, conducted an asset and inventory assessment, and arranged security with Regiment 935 for the G2L area. USAID, through their IM1 Contractor, commenced remediation activities at G2L by fencing the area to secure the site and ensure public safety during work implementation. In addition, the A&E Bien Hoa Contractor coordinated with various local authorities to obtain necessary permits and complete several supporting construction activities such as vegetation removal, installing dewatering well & observation well system, and erecting aeration racks to improve groundwater pH before discharge. The MND approved the LTSA and Dig & Haul design packages on December 4, 2020, with conditions. The A&E Bien Hoa Contractor will address these conditions for final documentation. The project's progress was also marked by the approval of several design packages, including the High Concentration Temporary Storage (HCTS) design package on November 12, 2020, and the Auxiliary Works design package on October 22, 2020. The latter includes access roads leading to Gate 3, the uncontaminated construction debris disposal area (UCDDA), and fencing around off-Airbase areas and in Southwest (SW)-07, which were shared with Bien Hoa PC on October 28, 2020. Overall, the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2021 was marked by significant progress in the Dioxin Remediation at Bien Hoa Airbase Area Project. The A&E Bien Hoa Contractor implemented several key activities, and the project's stakeholders made important decisions to advance the project's progress. The project's health and safety performance was also a key focus during the quarter. The A&E Bien Hoa Contractor implemented several health and safety measures, including the development of a Health and Safety Plan (HASP) and the conduct of regular health and safety training for personnel. The project's health and safety performance was also monitored through regular medical monitoring and environmental monitoring. The project's financial status was also reviewed during the quarter. The A&E Bien Hoa Contractor's financial performance was in line with the project's budget, and the contractor's financial status was reviewed and approved by the project's stakeholders. The project's performance indicators were also reviewed during the quarter. The project's key performance indicators (KPIs) were reviewed and updated to reflect the project's progress and performance. The project's KPIs included the completion of design packages, the implementation of remediation activities, and the achievement of health and safety milestones. The project's challenges were also identified and addressed during the quarter. The A&E Bien Hoa Contractor identified several challenges, including the need for additional permits and approvals, the need for additional resources and personnel, and the need for improved communication and coordination with stakeholders. The project's look-ahead for the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2021 was also reviewed during the quarter. The project's stakeholders identified several key tasks and efforts that needed to be implemented during the quarter, including the completion of design packages, the implementation of remediation activities, and the achievement of health and safety milestones.