Iraq Monitoring and Evaluation Program
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov
Press: (202) 712-4320
Public Information: (202) 712-4810
2003-078
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2003
In support of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has contracted with 10 firms to help undertake the reconstruction of Iraq. These contracts were signed between March 2003 and June 2003 and were done in full compliance with the U.S. Federal Acquisition Guidelines (FAR). To ensure that U.S. tax dollars are utilized efficiently and effectively, USAID is providing a transparent monitoring and evaluation system to ensure that contractors are meeting their goals and staying on schedule.
On May 25, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was selected as technical advisors for the U.S. infrastructure reconstruction program in Iraq. The Army Corps of Engineers' team consists of U.S. and Iraqi professionals who are working to ensure that the reconstruction contractor's work is completed in accordance with the job order, international standards, environmental requirements, and in compliance with U.S. government policies. Projects to be monitored include rehabilitation and reconstruction of electric power, water and sanitation facilities; public facilities such as hospitals and schools; roads, bridges and railroads; airports and the Umm Qasr seaport.
In addition, USAID signed a contract with Washington, D.C.-based Management Systems International (MSI) on June 25th to provide a team consisting of U.S., Iraqi, and third-country national professionals to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of program activities in Iraq. MSI generated information will be used for USAID's internal management purposes, as well as to inform the public of the U.S. government's program goals and progress in meeting them. MSI will monitor and evaluate in four areas:
- Economically critical infrastructure, such as public utilities, infrastructure, ports, airports and logistics;
- Essential health, education, and other social services;
- Economic recovery, reform and sustained growth in Iraq, including agriculture; and
- Efficiency and accountability of government, including local governance and community action projects.
In addition, USAID has deployed Contracting Officers to Iraq to provide oversight of partners' activities. Contracting officers, in conjunction with Cognizant Technical officers (CTOs), will provide timely and reliable monitoring and evaluation information on the reconstruction projects.
USAID's Office of the Inspector General (OIG), which provides audit and investigative services to USAID, is also actively monitoring and evaluating reconstruction efforts through its offices in Washington, D.C. and Baghdad.
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