Iraq Reconstruction Resources: Fact Sheet

Order Code RS21546

Updated November 23, 2004

CRS Report for Congress

Received through the CRS Web

Iraq Reconstruction Resources: Fact Sheet

Michael Waterhouse

Information Research Specialist

Information Research Division

Carolyn C. Smith

Senior Research Librarian

Information Research Division

Summary

The conclusion of major military actions in the U.S.-led coalition’s war to change

the regime in Iraq spawned a major effort to rebuild the infrastructure and government

of the country. Reconstruction efforts continue in Iraq despite ongoing hostilities. The

Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2003 (P.L. 108-11) and the

Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense and for the Reconstruction

of Iraq and Afghanistan, 2004 (P.L. 108-106) provide more than $20 billion in funding

for initiatives and projects for the rebuilding of postwar Iraq. Under this legislation,

several federal departments and agencies have awarded contracts for the reconstruction

effort. This fact sheet provides Internet links to the federal agencies or departments

currently involved in the contracting process, along with their specific Iraq

reconstruction programs underway or proposed. It provides overview information on

federal agency contract solicitations, application procedures, and contact information

where appropriate. For background information on reconstruction efforts and policy,

see also CRS Report RL32229, Iraq: Frequently Asked Questions About Contracting;

CRS Report RL31833, Iraq: Recent Developments in Reconstruction Assistance; and

CRS Report RS21555, Iraq Reconstruction: Frequently Asked Questions Concerning

the Application of Federal Procurement Statutes. This report will be updated as events

warrant.

Introduction

The U.S. government solicited public and private involvement in the reconstruction

of Iraq in the wake of major military action in 2003. Reconstruction activities, though

hampered by ongoing hostilities, continue in Iraq. The Emergency Wartime

Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2003 (P.L. 108-11) and the Emergency Supplemental

Appropriations Act for Defense and for the Reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan, 2004

(P.L. 108-106) provide a sum of more than $20 billion in funding for initiatives and

Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

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projects for the rebuilding of postwar Iraq. It is possible that additional needs will be

identified and proposed to Congress for authorization. Iraq’s interim government and

U.S. federal agencies identified below are designated to lead or administer the effort with

the solicitation of bids for contracts and selection of private sector entities to undertake

reconstruction related work.

Iraq Reconstruction — U.S. Federal Agency Role

Primary authority for the awarding and administration of Iraq reconstruction

contracts was originally assigned to the Program Management Office (PMO) under the

U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), the agency established to temporarily

rule Iraq and implement assistance programs for Iraq. On June 28, 2004, the CPA was

dissolved as Iraq regained its sovereignty.

The United States will continue to provide reconstruction assistance and policy

guidance to the interim Iraqi government through the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. A

temporary Iraq Reconstruction Management Office (IRMO) has been created within the

embassy to coordinate previous CPA assistance efforts. The former CPA’s Program

Management Office (PMO), although changing its name to the Project and Contracting

Office (PCO), continues to be responsible for program management and contracts and

remains within the Department of Defense. The PCO website provides contract

information, requests for bids on proposals, application and bidding procedures, and the

outcome of awards for contracts.

The U.S. Agency for International Development, Department of Defense, U.S. Army

Corps of Engineers, and the Department of Commerce are the primary federal agencies

working with the PCO to administer contracts or provide information on the

reconstruction of Iraq. As with the PCO, these agencies, via their websites, provide

introductory information on the nature and scope of projects, contract details, the requests

for bids on proposals, application and bidding procedures, and the subsequent awarding

of contracts. The websites also provide additional business information resources on

Iraq’s reconstruction.

Iraq Project and Contracting Office (PCO)

[http://www.rebuilding-iraq.net/]

The PCO in Baghdad is responsible for selecting and overseeing Iraq reconstruction

prime contracts. This site includes links to the “Awarded PCO Prime Contracts” and

“Frequently Asked Questions” with the names of companies, values of the awards, and

information on the process of contracting in Iraq. PCO’s Public Affairs contact in the

United States is listed below:

John Procter

Media Relations

Project and Contracting Office

Washington, DC

Tel: (703) 697-8356

john.procter@hqda.army.mil

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U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

[http://www.usaid.gov/iraq/]

USAID is the lead federal agency for disbursing and administering U.S. foreign

assistance, including reconstruction project business contracts. USAID developed this

Assistance for Iraq website to guide interested parties through the contracting process.

It includes a link to the bidding process and contract awards for the majority of

competitively bid Iraq rebuilding projects at [http://www.usaid.gov/iraq/activities.html].

Information at the website includes the Requests for Proposals (RFPs), the awards, and

guides to the application and qualifying processes for businesses. USAID may be

contacted at the following address:

U.S. Agency for International Development Information Center

Ronald Reagan Building

Washington, DC 20523-1000

Tel: (202) 712-4810; fax: (202) 216-3524

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

[http://cpolwapp.belvoir.army.mil/sofia/index.html]

DOD’s “Support Our Friends in Iraq and Afghanistan (SOFIA)” website solicits

interest and seeks to hire “motivated civilian employees” as temporary contract workers

to assist in rebuilding Iraq and Afghanistan. This DOD program seeks those skilled in

civil engineering, banking, agriculture, education, communications, and security, as well

as other professions or trades. The website states that applicants must be willing to live

under field conditions. Foreign language aptitude and prior military experience are also

listed as helpful but not required. DOD may be contacted at the following address:

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC)

8725 John J. Kingman Road

Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6218

Tel: (703) 428-0711; fax: (703) 767-8228

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

[http://www.hq.usace.army.mil/cepa/iraq/iraq.htm]

The USACE is the Army branch most directly involved to date in physical repair and

reconstruction activities on the ground in Iraq. Its website tracks military-related and

infrastructure reconstruction projects. While USACE is not currently soliciting for

contractors to work in Iraq, information on potential contracting opportunities via a

Department of Defense hotline at (866) 461-5171 and reference to the Federal Business

Opportunities website [http://www.fedbizopps.gov] is provided. The USACE website

also discusses the decision-making process and previous contract awards for businesses.

Contact information for USACE is as follows:

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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

441 G Street, NW

Washington, DC 20314-1000

Tel: (202) 761-0001; fax: (202) 761-1683

U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

[http://www.export.gov/iraq/]

DOC established a comprehensive website for the Iraq Investment and

Reconstruction Task Force to provide information and help U.S. companies participate

in the economic rebuilding of Iraq. This site serves as a clearinghouse of information

from federal agencies participating in the bidding and contracting process. Awarded

contracts include construction services contracts for Iraq’s infrastructure and program

management contracts, under the authority of the PCO. A regularly updated document,

“Doing Business in Iraq; Frequently Asked Questions,” is directly linked to the page, at

[http://www.export.gov/iraq]. There are links to the announcements of other government

agencies involved in Iraq-related projects, such as the Department of the Treasury, the

Department of Defense, and the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Also, there

are links to information of Iraqi government ministries, financial institutions, and business

centers.

Also provided is a regularly updated “Business Guide for Iraq,” with current

information on reconstruction plans, commercial conditions in Iraq, important business

contacts, and procedures concerning trade regulations, licensing, and investment

strategies. In addition, there are links to subcontracting information, including

announcements of contracting regulations seminars and registration information for U.S.

companies. DOC may be contacted at the following address:

U.S. Department of Commerce

Iraq Business Outreach Hotline

Herbert Hoover Building, Room 3424

Fourteenth Street and Constitution Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20230

Tel: (866) 352-4727; fax: (202) 482-0980

Iraq Reconstruction — Business and Contracting Information

[http://www.export.gov/iraq/]

The process of selling products or services to the federal government can be a

complicated procedure for businesses. However, increased access to information,

especially through the Internet, and recent laws mandating streamlined procurement and

contracting procedures make it easier for businesses to identify procurement opportunities

and to contact agencies.

The Iraq Investment and Reconstruction Task Force site of the Department of

Commerce at [http://www.export.gov/iraq/] is a good starting place for companies

seeking information on reconstruction and other business opportunities in Iraq. The site

includes an online registration form for the “Iraq Alert,” which e-mails announcements

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on commercial developments and potential business opportunities in Iraq, according to

requested interests in particular industries and services activities.

The Iraq Investment and Reconstruction Task Force site includes the following

resources and information links:

! “Doing Business in Iraq; Frequently Asked Questions,” with information

on contracting, trade, shipping, investments, and financing.

! “Traveling to Iraq; Frequently Asked Questions,” with information on

visas, security, accommodations, and communications.

! “Iraq Weekly Status Report,” with information on security and essential

services, reported by the U.S. Department of State.

! “Market Opportunities,” with information on contracting, subcontracting,

supplier, trade, and investment opportunities.

! “Commercial Success Stories in Iraq,” with links to information on

particular companies that have pursued private sector investment and

trade opportunities in Iraq.

! “Fraud Warning,” with information on recent fraudulent contract offers

made by persons posing as Iraqi officials.