Monthly Progress Report – February 2016: Engineering Design & Construction Supervision Program

The program was established in response to deficiencies in the housing and civil construction of the EKAM settlement, which was built between October 2011 and October 2013. The settlement was constructed to provide housing for households impacted by the 2010 earthquake and other critical groups in the Northern Corridor. However, an independent assessment revealed design and performance deficiencies, including leaking roofs, missing or sub-specification roof fasteners, sub-specification foundations, and substandard concrete reinforcement in wall construction. In October 2014, USAID contracted Tetra Tech to provide independent Architectural and Engineering (A-E) and construction management services to inspect the EKAM site, provide A-E recommendations, manage and supervise remedial works, and provide support to USAID for contractual adjustments. During the reporting period, Tetra Tech continued to provide construction supervision for both DFS and CEEPCO. DFS substantially completed their current work at Terrier Rouge, and CEEPCO is in the process of finishing up their work on the water towers and tanks at Terrier Rouge and Ouanaminthe. It is anticipated that CEEPCO will be substantially complete with all of their work by the end of next month. At Caracol EKAM, DFS responded to USAID's revised BOQ and is finishing the water tower structural repairs. Tetra Tech and their in-country consultants have begun inspecting the houses in preparation for DFS's start of work. DFS is on hold with the model house until they receive the materials that they had shipped from the States. Review of DFS submittals is ongoing, and Tetra Tech has reminded DFS that they still have several outstanding housing submittals that will need to be submitted prior to the completion of the model house. At Terrier Rouge, Tetra Tech continued monitoring of CEEPCO's progress on site. Leach field repairs are continuing to progress, though rain has hampered production this month. Reconstruction of leach fields LF-12S and LF-12N was completed, and leach fields LF-4 and LF-5 are being worked on. The water tank arrived on site and its installation has gone smoothly. CEEPCO is getting ready to test and sanitize the water system. At Ouanaminthe, CEEPCO has begun installing the water tank. USAID is going to descope DFS's construction work at Ouanaminthe, because of this Tetra Tech will only be monitoring the work being performed by CEEPCO at this site. The estimated cost through February 29, 2016, is shown in the table below, and a burn-down chart is provided to illustrate the project's progress. The project is on track to meet its milestones, and Tetra Tech is working closely with USAID and the contractors to ensure that the remedial works are completed on time and within budget. The project's progress is being closely monitored, and Tetra Tech is providing regular updates to USAID on the project's status. The project's success will depend on the timely completion of the remedial works and the effective management of the contractors. Tetra Tech is committed to ensuring that the project is completed to the highest standards and that the needs of the beneficiaries are met.