Monthly Progress Report – July 2015: Engineering Design & Construction Supervision Program

The program is a response to deficiencies in the housing and civil construction of the EKAM settlement, which was built between October 2011 and October 2013 to provide housing for households impacted by the 2010 earthquake and other critical groups in the Northern Corridor. The deficiencies in the EKAM settlement were identified in March 2014, and a subsequent Independent Assessment revealed design and performance deficiencies, including leaking roofs, missing or sub-specification roof fasteners, sub-specification foundations, substandard concrete reinforcement in wall construction, extensive material substitutions, poor quality doors and windows, minor cracking in walls, drainage issues, exposed water pipes, poorly designed and installed water tanks, improperly installed and substandard sewer pipes, and non-functioning solar security lights. Tetra Tech was contracted in October 2014 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 from July 1, 2015, to July 31, 2015, Tetra Tech reviewed and prepared updated portions of the EKAM Settlement Upgrades – Housing, Civil and Sanitation packages and submitted these to USAID for inclusion in Amendment 3. Tetra Tech also created the housing final checklist acceptance form for the future contractor and is working with stakeholders to strengthen the designs for the shear wall panel. The work undertaken by Global Communities on the drainage improvements at EKAM is progressing as expected, with six box culverts being installed and the gutters and low water drainage swales completed. Tetra Tech observed that the work undertaken appears to match their designs and is progressing according to schedule. In addition, Tetra Tech continues to work with key stakeholders, including Global Communities, Urban Collaborative, and EPPLS, and has met with members of Global Communities to discuss the work in progress at the EKAM site. Tetra Tech also met with CEEPCO to discuss ongoing work at Terrier Rouge and Ouanaminthe and has been in discussion with USAID about the possibility of assuming the Construction Management role at these sites. The estimated cost through July 31, 2015, is shown in the table below: * Total Salaries: $X * Total Travel: $Y * Total Allowances: $Z * Total ODCs: $W * Total Subs: $V * Total Indirect Costs: $U * Fixed Fee: $T * Total Costs: $S Issues requiring the attention of USAID include T-036 Additional Justification for Request for Approval, Raises above 5%, T-042 Request for Personnel and Rate Approval, Reynolds, Bouwer and Carpenter, and T-043 Request for Approval, Travel. Activities planned for the next reporting period include continuing to monitor progress at the Terrier Rouge and Ouanaminthe sites, answering USAID and contractor questions during the bidding process, and submitting additional details for the shear wall designs for the EKAM site. The table below provides a status update on program deliverables: * Annual Work Plan: Submitted 11/6/14, Comments received 12/9/14, resubmitted 1/30/15. * EKAM Initial Field Assessment: Submitted 11/14/14. * Special Report on Terrier Rouge and Ouanaminthe: Submitted on 2/11/15. * EKAM Final Assessment: Submitted 1/19/15. * Remedial and Urgent Repairs Designs and Specifications: In progress.