Monthly Progress Report – May 2020: Engineering and Construction Oversight – Phase 2 (ESCO-2)

The project is part of the Global Architect-Engineer Services II Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (A&E II IDIQ) Contract, with Task Order Number AID-OAA-I-15-00052 under the USAID/Ethiopia Engineering and Construction Oversight Task Order. The project's main objective is to provide engineering and construction oversight services to support the implementation of various infrastructure activities in Ethiopia. These activities are primarily related to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and health. The project is part of the USAID/Ethiopia's Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS), which aims to achieve the Development Objectives (DO) under USAID/Ethiopia's current strategy, including DO 1 through DO 4 and Special Objective: Citizen Responsive Governance Enhanced. During the reporting month of May 2020, Tetra Tech (Tt) ESCO-2 continued to have daily and weekly virtual meetings with CCN staff, USAID, and IPs as required. The team conducted a total of 181 site inspections while cooperating fully with the lawful requirements of each Region State and the Ethiopia Federal COVID-19 guidelines. Tt has taken all the prescribed safety precautions and provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to its personnel to maintain safe work practices. The project's program management involves management of the Tt ESCO-2 team and support to USAID's management of ongoing infrastructure projects. The current focus areas include USAID coordination, safety and security, and program logistics. Tt communicates with the ESCO-2 Contracting Officer Representative (COR) on a regular basis via virtual platforms, e-mails, and periodic weekly project meetings. The team closely monitors COVID-19 related developments for associated security risks and regional staff mobility. The project's logistics involve operating 11 vehicles in support of the field operations. The extremely remote location of most sites requires a high-level of field mobility and vehicle maintenance/repair for ESCO-2 construction oversight work. The project's deliverables include site inspections, design document submittals, and program management reports. The project's activities are organized under the following tasks: Task 1 - Program Management, Task 2 - Design Services, Task 3 - Pre-Construction Services, and Task 4 - Construction Oversight Services. The project's progress is reported on a monthly basis, with the current report covering the period from May 1, 2020, to May 31, 2020. The project's implementation is ongoing, with the current reporting period focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the project's activities. The project's team continues to work remotely, with the Chief of Party managing the project from his home of record in the United States. The project's logistics and safety and security are closely monitored, with the team taking all the prescribed safety precautions to maintain safe work practices. The project's deliverables are reported on a monthly basis, with the current report including information on site inspections, design document submittals, and program management reports. The project's progress is reported in accordance with the Task Order scope, with the current report covering the period from May 1, 2020, to May 31, 2020.