FINAL REPORT BY WESTERN INSTITUTE FOR TECHNOLOGY ON THE BAHAMAS AGRICULTURAL, RESEARCH, TRAINING, AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

AGRICULTURAL EXPERTISE WAS PROVIDED BY PENN STATE UNIV WHILE ALL CONSTRUCTION, ADMINISTRATIVE AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT, TECHNICAL TRAINING, AND RECRUITMENT OF SPECIALIZED CONSULTANTS WERE ASSUMED BY WIST. THIS SELF-EVALUATION REPORT WAS PREPARED BY WIST. WIST ESTABLISHED THE CAPABILITY TO OBTAIN AND DELIVER TO THE PROJECT SITE A WIDE RANGE OF COMMODITIES, MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, AND SERVICES. THIS INCLUDED ESTABLISHMENT OF SOURCES OF SUPPLY, DEVELOPMENT OF A TRANSPORTATION SERVICE, AND ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OFFICE TO CONSOLIDATE AND EXPEDITE SHIPMENTS TO THE PROJECT. WIST ALSO DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED A BROAD RANGE OF FACILITIES INCLUDING DWELLINGS FOR STAFF, AND RENOVATED THE EXISTING SLAUGHTERHOUSE. IN ADDITION, WIST DEVELOPED AND ADMINISTERED A TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM. WIST ALSO PROVIDED ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT INCLUDING ESTABLISHMENT OF REPORTING AND ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS,ESTABLISHMENT OF A REVENUE FUND AND AN IMPREST FUND, MONTHLY ANALYSES OF PROJECT OPERATING COSTS, AND VEHICLE AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE. HOST COUNTRY PERSONNEL WERE TRAINED IN MANAGEMENT SO THAT EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO CONTINUE OPERATION OF THE RESEARCH CENTER UPON COMPLETION OF THE CONTRACT.