Dioxin Remediation at Bien Hoa Airbase Area Project Quarterly Report (FY23 JAN. 01 TO MAR. 31, 2023)

The project is a collaborative effort between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Ministry of Defense (MND), and the Air Defense-Air Force Command (ADAFC). Major milestones and events during the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2023 include the successful completion of remediation activities and land return of the first Southwest (SW) area at the Bien Hoa Airbase. This area was transformed into a monumental park commemorating the continuous cooperation on the project and the collaboration between the United States and Vietnam to overcome war legacies. The event included signing a memorandum for the land return of SW by Samantha Power, USAID Administrator, and Major General Bui Anh Chung, Deputy Chief of ADAFC, unveiling the monument by Administrator Power and Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of MND, and planting trees by USG, MND, and ADAFC representatives. Remedial construction activities during the second quarter included excavation and hauling of low concentration (LC) and high concentration (HC) soil by the First Interim Measures (IM1) Contractor. The IM1 Contractor also completed backfilling and planting grass at several locations, including PI-08A, PI-10C, PI-08B, PI-10A, and PI-10B. The Second Interim Measures (IM2) Contractor, with oversight from A&E Bien Hoa Contractor, completed construction of the Long-Term Storage Area (LTSA) and backfilling, planting grass, and construction of masonry curb at an area outside the Airbase, MND-A42. The Civil Works – Phase 1 (CWI) Contractor, with oversight from A&E Bien Hoa Contractor, completed excavation for two decision units (DUs), SW-07D and SW-07E, and transportation of LC soil from SW-07E to the LTSA and HC soil from SW-07D to the High Concentration Temporary Storage (HCTS). The project schedule and financial status indicate that the project is progressing according to plan. The project master schedule and A&E master schedule are being closely monitored to ensure timely completion of tasks and deliverables. The project risks and challenges include potential delays in the completion of remedial construction activities and the need for additional resources to address emerging issues. The project performance indicators show that construction activities are progressing, with the IM1 Contractor completing excavation and hauling of soil, and the CWI Contractor completing excavation and transportation of soil. The A&E activities are also progressing, with the A&E Bien Hoa Contractor providing oversight and support to the contractors. The project is expected to continue making progress in the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2023, with a focus on completing remedial construction activities and addressing emerging issues. The Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) plan is being implemented to ensure the safety of personnel and the protection of the environment. The plan includes regular monitoring of health and safety conditions, medical monitoring of personnel, and environmental monitoring to ensure that the project is not causing any adverse impacts on the environment. The project is expected to continue making progress in the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2023, with a focus on completing remedial construction activities and addressing emerging issues. The project team will continue to work closely with the contractors, the MND, and the ADAFC to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.