bigpeepa
|
posted on March 17, 2006 04:51:31 AM new
Feds Wasted Millions in Katrina Contracts, Audit Finds
By HOPE YEN, AP
WASHINGTON (March 17) - The government wasted millions of dollars in its award of post-Katrina Hurricane contracts for disaster relief, including at least $3 million for 4,000 beds that were never used, congressional auditors said Thursday.
Poor coordination between FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers contributed to waste in an Americold Logistics LLC's contract for ice.
More Coverage:
· Up to 500,000 Katrina Evacuees May Need Counseling
The Government Accountability Office's review of 13 major contracts - many of them awarded with limited or no competition after the Aug. 29 hurricane - offers the first preliminary overview of their soundness.
Waste and mismanagement were widespread due to poor planning and miscommunication, according to the five-page briefing paper released Thursday. That led to money being paid for services, such as housing or ice, that were never used.
"The government 's response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita depended heavily on contractors to deliver ice, water and food supplies; patch rooftops; and provide housing to displaced residents," said the report by the GAO, Congress' auditing arm. "FEMA did not adequately anticipate needs."
Nicol Andrews, a spokeswoman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said the agency was working hard to improve its awarding of billions of dollars of government contracts as it prepares for the next hurricane season.
"We have been working with (Homeland) Secretary (Michael) Chertoff to incorporate unprecedented levels of oversight in FEMA contracting," she said. "However, in the event of a disaster when minutes count, we have the authority to do what it takes to move quickly."
By and large, the initial criticism of FEMA from members of Congress and others was that the agency moved too slowly to assist hurricane victims.
Of more than 700 contracts valued at $500,000 or greater, more than half were awarded without full competition or with vague or open-ended terms, including politically connected companies such as Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg, Brown & Root, Bechtel Corp. and AshBritt Inc.
Democrats, in particular, in recent weeks have called for limits on no-bid agreements, which they say have been awarded to politically influential companies at the expense of a slow Gulf Coast rebuilding effort.
"Previous reports of waste in the aftermath of Katrina have been bad, but this one is worse," said Rep. Henry Waxman of California, the top Democrat on the House Government Reform Committee.
"The Bush administration has learned nothing from its disastrous contract management in Iraq," he said. "The administration seems incapable of spending money in a way that actually meets the needs of Gulf Coast residents."
The bipartisan leaders of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee said the report's findings were troubling.
"After a disaster strikes is too late to start the contracting process for critical goods and services," said committee chair Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. "Known emergency commodities and services must be pre-positioned."
Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., said the GAO report reveals "a serious, ongoing problem."
"Taxpayer dollars will be spent for years to come on Katrina response and recovery, and investigations of corruption and mismanagement are still in their early stages," he said. " Government auditors and prosecutors must redouble their efforts."
The GAO report released Thursday speaks broadly and does not address the validity of no-bid contracts; those reviews are under way by inspectors general at Homeland Security and other agencies. But it found significant problems in its general review of the 13 contracts, most of which were awarded without a full competition.
According to the report, the GAO praised government agencies for their "hard work" in securing contracts after the disaster, but said millions of dollars could have been saved if they had heeded prior warnings by the GAO to hire more people, prearrange contracts and improve staff training.
· Nonexistent communication with local officials led to misjudgments on the need for temporary housing. They included $3 million that FEMA spent for 4,000 base camp beds that were never used and $10 million to renovate and furnish 240 rooms in Alabama that housed only six occupants before being closed.
"YOUR DOING A HECK OF A JOB BROWNIE" George DUMBO Bush.
|
stonecold613
|
posted on March 17, 2006 10:25:05 AM new
To bad you have no clue. It was the Demomorons of NO and LA that didn't get the people into them.. The federal supplied the beds. The locals wasted the opportunity.
.
.
.
Many misleading tricks in 2006. The new Demomoron slogan.
|
hillbillymo
|
posted on March 17, 2006 12:19:28 PM new
Speaking of having no clue. Explain how Bush could praise Brownie for a job well done, and then fire him a few days later for poor performance, if Bush had a clue.
|
bigpeepa
|
posted on March 17, 2006 02:40:16 PM new
stonecold613, you were asked a question.
What's the matter can't you answer the question from hillbillymo?
I'll check back for your answer later.
|
classicrock000
|
posted on March 18, 2006 05:06:27 AM new
yea bigpeepa-he didnt answer the question like you didnt answer mine-you said you were busy saving lives-I asked how were you busy saving lives and how many lifes did you save-YOU NEVER ANSWERED MY QUESTION,EXCEPT WITH YOUR USUAL BULLSH*T REHTORIC.
Besides hillbillymo asked him the question,he doenst have to answer to you, so mind your own damn business.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beauty is only a light switch away
|
Helenjw
|
posted on March 18, 2006 05:27:03 AM new
That was a dam good response and question that Hillbillymo asked...."Explain how Bush could praise Brownie for a job well done, and then fire him a few days later for poor performance, if Bush had a clue."
|
bigpeepa
|
posted on March 18, 2006 08:00:13 AM new
classic,
I didn't think I needed to answer your question about my working to save Human lives. If you don't know by now one of the ways I work to save Human lives your just out of it.
One of the most important ways to save Human life is to REMOVE FROM POWER the DUMBO WAR LOVER guys people like you support. They alone have killed tens of thousands of Innocent Humans. If this statement is untrue PROVE IT!!!
Like I said before classic go ahead and work to save the baby seals. I will work to save human lives.
Today,I am just one of nearly 7 out of 10 Americans NATIONWIDE that think DUMBO BUSH is a failed leader. If this statement is untrue PROVE IT!!!!
Otherwise don't talk to me about "BULLSH*T REHTORIC."
What a bunch of losers you Bush supporters have turned out to be. Losers because of your unwillingness to open your mind to change for a better America.
|
dblfugger9
|
posted on March 18, 2006 08:48:10 AM new
Hi classic...so mind your own damn business
lol...around this board! hahaha!
::waving::
|
classicrock000
|
posted on March 18, 2006 10:25:54 AM new
LOL DB-ya noticed he STILL didnt answer my question 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beauty is only a light switch away
|
dblfugger9
|
posted on March 18, 2006 10:39:09 AM new
yeah classic...LOL
|
WashingtoneBayer
|
posted on March 19, 2006 06:58:43 AM new
He can't classic, as a typical lib he talks a good show but actually does nothing to help his fellow man.
He and helen and the rest of that ilk talk about the poor and hungry but most likely have never volunteered to do anything about it just spew vile venom trying to get others to spend thier money.
Ron
|
Helenjw
|
posted on March 19, 2006 08:06:37 AM new
You are the kind of heartless guy who believes that the poor are lucky to have a soup kitchen. I don't consider anyone a good American who cares so little about the welfare of their fellow man. Charity will not replace the needed concern from each and every citizen that all should be able to maintain a decent and survivable standard of living. Charity will not take care of all homeless. Charity will not take care of all those who need food. Charity will not take care of all those who need health care and cannot afford the almighty insurance industry. There is a profound limit to what charity can do and you know that but you don't give a dam.
Your "ilk" is disgusting to me.
[ edited by Helenjw on Mar 19, 2006 08:08 AM ]
|
WashingtoneBayer
|
posted on March 19, 2006 10:45:50 AM new
That's right helen but you and your type have made these people dependent on government handouts and a lack of self worth to do anything about it. That is the real tragedy and disgust, but then you are probably proud of that.
My type disgusts you because we believe those people should be out earning their place and put the hands to good use instead of just out.
Ron
[ edited by WashingtoneBayer on Mar 19, 2006 01:43 PM ]
|
bigpeepa
|
posted on March 19, 2006 12:04:26 PM new
classic, I did answer your question but you were to stupid to understand. I will keep trying to save Human lives while you save the seals.
Ron,
Last week I got a call from a guy that wanted to sell me antiques. When we got to his house we found a old man and his wife both sick and generally down and out.
He didn't have a darn thing I wanted to buy. I could see he and his wife needed money so we gave him $50.00 for a lamp that we won't get $5.00 for. I just didn't want to hand the old couple $50.00 they weren't looking for a hand out. I realize my $50.00 won't solve all this couple problems but I am hoping it helped for a day or 2.
Last week my wife took this old guy we know to the scrap metal man. Local people give this old guy beer and soda cans and when he needs to cash them in 90% of the time my wife takes him to the scraper. It takes her about 3 hours to go there and back plus washing out the stale beer smell from the back of the truck.
Last week the same old man complained his mail box had rusted out. I bought him a new one and helped him install it.
Every week my wife and I do similar things for people. We realize what we do is no big deal but in a very small way we help.
So Ron you can stuff your EVIL WORDS because your words show me you know nothing about people in need or do you care about people in need. Your nothing but a self-serving greedy piece of slime I also find you DISGUSTING.
BTW Ron, where are you going to run to,where are you going to hide when that day comes?
|
classicrock000
|
posted on March 19, 2006 12:36:03 PM new
"classic, I did answer your question but you were to stupid to understand. I will keep trying to save Human lives while you save the seals."
no you didnt answer the question-I asked HOW
you were trying to save human lives...EVIDENDTLY YOU'RE TOO STUPID TO COMPREHEND THE QUESTION....HELLO?? MCFLY??
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beauty is only a light switch away
[ edited by classicrock000 on Mar 19, 2006 12:37 PM ]
|
dblfugger9
|
posted on March 19, 2006 01:08:59 PM new
these people independent on government
What a stupid writer you are ronnie. That should read dependant.
But you do know how to be an A1 azzhole dont you?
|
dblfugger9
|
posted on March 19, 2006 01:10:08 PM new
That's right helen but you and your type have made these people independent on government handouts and a lack of self worth to do anything about it. That is the real tragedy and disgust, but then you are probably proud of that.
My type disgusts you because we believe those people should be out earning their place and put the hands to good use instead of just out.
Ron
get your wife to fix that now!
|
dblfugger9
|
posted on March 19, 2006 01:16:15 PM new
whats the tune of the day classic?
our house?
|
WashingtoneBayer
|
posted on March 19, 2006 01:42:40 PM new
I learned from you dblfckup 
Your posts are so inspiring.
Ron
|
bigpeepa
|
posted on March 19, 2006 07:21:10 PM new
Guys like Ron own a few shares of some stock and think they ARE THE MAN. Its funny watching weaklings like him slime around.
SIMPLY PUT RON YOUR THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE DAY.
|
WashingtoneBayer
|
posted on March 19, 2006 08:13:30 PM new
Stock? Why yes my stocks are doing quite well at the moment. But then we don't have some liberal democrat with his hand in my pocket.
So when was the last time you volunteered to help those less fortunate than you peepa? or is guilt money the best you can do?
Ron
|
classicrock000
|
posted on March 20, 2006 02:14:34 AM new
better yet-how many lives did he save today?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beauty is only a light switch away
|
bigpeepa
|
posted on March 20, 2006 03:04:00 PM new
Your doing a heck of a job Ron with a few shares of stock. LOL, Big F-ing deal.
The other loser spent his time saving baby seals. Big F-ing deal.
I didn't work with any needy person today.
I am 99% sure I picked up a couple votes against Santorum the Republican Senator here in Pa. So my day was not wasted.
By this summer several more crooked CON-servative republicans will be under ARREST for money deals.
UNDER THIS CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT ITS BEEN THE BEST GOVERNMENT AND LAWS MONEY CAN BUY.
|
WashingtoneBayer
|
posted on March 20, 2006 04:06:59 PM new
Casey is no liberal himself.
But then Swan is going to be your new governor and what party does he represent? Come on peepa you can tell us.
Ron
|
dblfugger9
|
posted on March 20, 2006 06:05:22 PM new
Learned it from you
You make alot of assumptions without my special tea leaves tho NonRon...But only when you are diggin in the dirt with your wifey...aint you the kewlist thing this side of pittsburg?
/But you have alot more to learn (especially about DOS and rock and roll, ..but you can probe classic I suppose...)
classic, does vendio offer the opportunity to see which isp's are hitting up your auctions?
..
[ edited by dblfugger9 on Mar 20, 2006 06:17 PM ]
|
bigpeepa
|
posted on March 20, 2006 06:34:47 PM new
defogger, you got nothing left. Sorry
|
classicrock000
|
posted on March 20, 2006 06:36:38 PM new
Sorry DB I have no idea..however if you go over to the EO I bet someone over there would know.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beauty is only a light switch away
|
classicrock000
|
posted on March 20, 2006 06:36:47 PM new
[ edited by classicrock000 on Mar 21, 2006 02:20 AM ]
|
WashingtoneBayer
|
posted on March 21, 2006 04:06:55 AM new
No Assumptions about you dblfckup. the hole you dig by posting here proves it.
But then being a Hampton Roads Hogget you know all about it.
Ron
[ edited by WashingtoneBayer on Mar 21, 2006 04:07 AM ]
|
