KBR in Iraq was just issued a Level III CAR.

Here are a couple blog posts about this.



I am trying to do some research on DCMA Level IV (4) Corrective Action Request (CAR). I am curious what would have happened if it had been a Level IV. I Googled and can't find anything about Level IV's. Can someone point me in the right direction. Have there been other level IV's issued?

Any assistance would be welcome.

Thanks

Level 4 looks like they terminate the contract. Although level 3 shows as extreme negligent proformance. I think that opens them up for lawsuits. 18 cases it shows a complete breakdown of the entire system, there was no controls. If you work there in quality, I would leave as soon as possible. Sometimes in a company it is better to be looking for a job, than be part of a failed system. People in that company will most likley end up in jail.

All CARs are coordinated within the surveillance team and approved by the EVM Center prior to issuance to the supplier. Coordination to the Division level is intended as a courtesy for information only, and does not imply approval authority. All EVMS CAR approval authority rests with the EVM Center, prior to being distributed to the supplier. All CARs will be documented and tracked. Verbal CARs are not acceptable.

Level I CAR is issued when a contractual non-compliance requires no special management attention to correct. Level I CARs are directed to the supplier working level personnel.

Level II CAR is a request for corrective action for contractual non-compliances that are systemic in nature and/or could adversely affect cost, schedule, or performance if not corrected. A Level I CAR may be escalated to a Level II CAR as the result of Level I CARs for the same types of non-conformances, across several programs/contracts or several Control Account Managers, indicating a systemic issue. Level II CARs are directed to the supplier management level responsible for the process with a copy to the responsible ACO.

Level III CAR identifies issues where cost, schedule, technical performance, resources, or management process issues have unfavorably affected program performance and have not been corrected by the supplier. A Level III CAR need not be preceded by a Level I or Level II CAR. A CAR may also become a Level III after Level I and/or Level II attempts have failed and escalation is warranted OR in the case where the situation is deemed serious enough to warrant higher level attention. Failure to meet requirements cited in a CAR may include, but is not limited to, poor or incomplete corrective action plan, poor or missing root cause analysis, irreconcilable differences between DCMA and supplier. The supplier’s failure to appropriately correct a non-compliance in a Level III CAR shall result in an escalation from Level III to Level IV.

A Level III CAR is addressed to the supplier's (site specific) top tier business manager. Level III CARs may be coupled with contractual remedies such as reductions of progress payments, cost disallowances, cure notices, show cause letters, or management systems disapprovals. Level III CARs may trigger formal reviews such as post award review for cause, compliance reviews, or other system validation reviews and may result in suspension or revocation of EVMS certification. When Level III CAR is closed, copies of the closed CAR should be sent to all those addressed and/or copied in the original CAR, as appropriate.

Level IV CAR identifies issues where cost, schedule, technical performance, resources, or management process issues have unfavorably affected program performance across multiple programs or multiple sites; and have not been corrected by the supplier. A CAR also becomes a Level IV after Level III attempts have failed and escalation is warranted. The CAR should be addressed at the supplier's corporate level.

A level IV CAR is issued to advise the supplier of contractual remedies such as suspension of progress payments or product acceptance activities, termination for default, and suspension or debarment, in accordance with applicable FAR/DFARS policies and procedures. Level IV CARs may trigger formal reviews such as post award review for cause, compliance reviews, or other system validation reviews and may result in suspension or revocation of EVMS certification. When a Level IV CAR is closed, copies of the closed CAR should be sent to all those addressed and/or copied in the original CAR, as appropriate.

http://guidebook.dcma.mil/79/instructions.htm

My first post was a guess based upon the wording this is the actual DCMA. The website asked for a password and then went away. Not sure what that was about.

Level 4 looks like they terminate the contract. Although level 3 shows as extreme negligent proformance. I think that opens them up for lawsuits. 18 cases it shows a complete breakdown of the entire system, there was no controls. If you work there in quality, I would leave as soon as possible. Sometimes in a company it is better to be looking for a job, than be part of a failed system. People in that company will most likley end up in jail.

Alrighty then!!! Where are these 18 cases you are referring to.... and is there a reference document I can refer to that describes the differences between Level III and Level IV.

Thank You!

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/sikorsky-parts-issues-come-to-a-head-with-level-iii-car-02853/

There is a case you could use most likley. I would steer clear of the links you posted. Read the guidebook link, just hit cancel on the password thing.

justncredible (http://elsmar.com/Forums/member.php?u=32233) Thank You!!!

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/sikorsky-parts-issues-come-to-a-head-with-level-iii-car-02853/

There is a case you could use most likley. I would steer clear of the links you posted. Read the guidebook link, just hit cancel on the password thing.

Will do. Thank you for the help. By the way those are my blog posts!! LOL Just trying to get more accurate info.

Yeah I noticed that a few mins ago,,LOL

As most if not all of us on this forums are in the quality related arena, my first post would be advice I would tell anyone seeing unsafe or known bad quality being pushed. Our job is to point out mistakes and help to make sure the product or service we help in providing not only meets expectations of the customer, but exceeds them. Sometimes we have to yell to make changes happen, sometimes we leave a company based on knowing the quality is bad. Doing what is right is not always a easy or appreciated job.

I always appreciate QA/QC. I am a journeyman electrician. Poor quality electrical installations kill. That's what we are trying to stop.

So...any info that anyone wants to send either via this forum or via my email at mssparky(at)mssparky(dot)com will be appreciated. I'm not shutting up till it's fixed!

Thanks Again!

Ms Sparky

Please don't let this turn into a political discussion.

Please don't let this turn into a political discussion.

OK :agree1:

KBR in Iraq was just issued a Level III CAR.


I am trying to do some research on DCMA Level IV (4) Corrective Action Request (CAR). I am curious what would have happened if it had been a Level IV. I Googled and can't find anything about Level IV's. Can someone point me in the right direction. Have there been other level IV's issued?

Any assistance would be welcome.

Thanks


Ok... you have my interest. However, partly due to my ignorance in the subject, and partly due to all the acronyms, can you give a brief explanation of this subject? Hopefully without getting political or otherwise, please explain KBR, DCMA, and the different levels.


What entity issues these CAR's?

I always appreciate QA/QC. I am a journeyman electrician. Poor quality electrical installations kill. That's what we are trying to stop.




As an electrician, you should (and probably are) concerned with anyone getting hurt.;) Is the work being performed not done according to NEC, and are there no electrical inspections?

KBR is a sub contractor setting up barracks in Iraq, there has been faulty wiring that has resulted in 18 troops being electrucuted in the showers. Sparky is a wistle blower, a level III CAR issued shows KBR still has not addressed the problem.

KBR is a sub contractor setting up barracks in Iraq, there has been faulty wiring that has resulted in 18 troops being electrucuted in the showers. Sparky is a wistle blower, a level III CAR issued shows KBR still has not addressed the problem. KBR did fire the VP as part of the CAR.

Thanks, justincredible.:agree1:

Now.. I will assume KBR is working from a contract to perform this work. Was it not specified that the work was being performed to NEC? The answer to that question would be of great interest, IHMO. If yes, then you have gross negligence on the part of KBR in not following that. If no, then that's another matter....

NOTE: Work performed according to NEC (National Electric Code) would all but eliminate this potential fault. There are plenty of guidelines for effective grounding, routing wires around hazardous areas, ground fault protection, etc.

They weren't all in the shower. I think we've had three in the showers, one pressure washing a vehicle, two in a swimming pool. Then a bunch not reporting the cause. There have been 3700 electrical fires and some deaths from that. And the injuries from electrical shock and electrical fires are in the several hundreds I'm sure. The DoD just doesn't send me the reports like I ask them to!! :D Go figure.

I am not familiar with the whole Defense Management Contract Agency (DCMA) Corrective Action Response (CAR) system. So I thought I would come here to find out. It seemed that other things were posted here about Level III CAR's.

Rumor has it that the recent CAR originated as a Level IV CAR and was then changed to a Level III. I am just curious if anyone has come across that happening before.

I have tons of posts about this whole situation on my website.

Thanks for the help.

They weren't all in the shower. I think we've had three in the showers, one pressure washing a vehicle, two in a swimming pool. Then a bunch not reporting the cause. There have been 3700 electrical fires and some deaths from that. And the injuries from electrical shock and electrical fires are in the several hundreds I'm sure. The DoD just doesn't send me the reports like I ask them to!! :D Go figure.

Have you tried the Freedom of Information Act - I *think* this is the only way that these reposts can be released.

I am not familiar with the whole Defense Management Contract Agency (DCMA) Corrective Action Response (CAR) system. So I thought I would come here to find out. It seemed that other things were posted here about Level III CAR's.

The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) manages contracts issued to private contractors for everything from apples to underwear. The corrective action process is used when product or services do not comply with contractual requirements.

Rumor has it that the recent CAR originated as a Level IV CAR and was then changed to a Level III. I am just curious if anyone has come across that happening before.

Absolutley - The corrective action process is an escalative(sp) process begining with a Level I and terminating at a Level IV, where cancelation of the contract may be the only solution. As with any business releationship, the preference is to work thru the problems as opposed to tossing the supplier to the curb - especially if there is a lot of time and money invested. It's the DoD's version of "threatening to pull the rug out from under them".

Hope this helps a bit.

Well, I tried a google search for "Defense Management Contract Agency"+"Corrective Action System" and came up with nothing. I am still curious. Does anyone have a link to a gov doc that contains specifics about this system?

Well, I tried a google search for "Defense Management Contract Agency"+"Corrective Action System" and came up with nothing. I am still curious. Does anyone have a link to a gov doc that contains specifics about this system?

I have been looking through this thanks to justncredible who posted it earlier.

http://guidebook.dcma.mil/79/instructions.htm

If a log in page pops up just hit enter and it goes away.

Ms Sparky

Craig,

You probably won't even if you used the correct term - LOL - Defense Contract Management Agency.

The corrective action process is, for the lack of a better term, an internal procedure - but, you never know - you might find something.

Craig,

You probably won't even if you used the correct term - LOL - Defense Contract Management Agency.

The corrective action process is, for the lack of a better term, an internal procedure - but, you never know - you might find something.

I led him astray!! My bad.

They weren't all in the shower. I think we've had three in the showers, one pressure washing a vehicle, two in a swimming pool. Then a bunch not reporting the cause. There have been 3700 electrical fires and some deaths from that. And the injuries from electrical shock and electrical fires are in the several hundreds I'm sure. The DoD just doesn't send me the reports like I ask them to!! :D Go figure.



I gotcha.:agree1: I hate sounding like a broken record... but here is my horse in the race.

If the work is being done to Code (and inspected), then the percentages of injuries/death should be the same/lower as those of any other equivalently populated area. Like I stated, I don't care if it's Iraq or Kennedale Texas, the work should be done to code. That has been around since the late 1800's, and serves the purpose pretty well.

There should have been only one CAR... the first time something was not done according to Code.

I gotcha.:agree1: I hate sounding like a broken record... but here is my horse in the race.

If the work is being done to Code (and inspected), then the percentages of injuries/death should be the same/lower as those of any other equivalently populated area. Like I stated, I don't care if it's Iraq or Kennedale Texas, the work should be done to code. That has been around since the late 1800's, and serves the purpose pretty well.

There should have been only one CAR... the first time something was not done according to Code.

I understand. I am just trying to find a way to explain it so it doesn't come across as being political. I was an electrician for two years in Baghdad for KBR. My opinions are based on my experiences and what I have been told by others. I will be honest I am not at all impartial.

For the two years I was in Iraq there was no code mentioned. I assumed my work would be done in accordance to the NEC and did so to best of my ability with limited tools, material and management support. Also....there's the whole European voltage and equipment issues as well.

There was no electrical inspection program where I was. DCMA didn't inspect either. I was never inspected.

Grounding and bonding was an issue from the onset. The Army sent out Safety Bulletins and yet no additional training or awareness was implemented by KBR. I had no idea people had been dying of electrocution until June of of '08.

Now it's a big deal.

Ms Sparky

Well, I tried a google search for "Defense Management Contract Agency"+"Corrective Action System" and came up with nothing. I am still curious. Does anyone have a link to a gov doc that contains specifics about this system?It's Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) (http://www.dcma.mil/).

It's Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) (http://www.dcma.mil/).

Ms. Sparky corrected herseelf, and the link that she and justincredible supplied has answered my questions (thanks!). Even though there is the usual excess of documentation, the process itself and the use of the CAR levels appear to be straightforward.

I don't want to jump to conclusions, but....

I understand. I am just trying to find a way to explain it so it doesn't come across as being political. I was an electrician for two years in Baghdad for KBR. My opinions are based on my experiences and what I have been told by others. I will be honest I am not at all impartial.



And I for one, appreciate you working to keep the politics out of this. This needs to be a discussion regarding actual evidence of a deficiency, and the organization's response/ lack of response to that deficiency.

For the two years I was in Iraq there was no code mentioned. I assumed my work would be done in accordance to the NEC and did so to best of my ability with limited tools, material and management support. Also....there's the whole European voltage and equipment issues as well.


I'm confused here. As a Journeyman Electrician, you pretty much know how to perform basic installation, install raceways, proper gauge wire, etc. Please don't take as an attack or anything; just don't understand when you say "I assumed my work would be done....".

Now... I can do work to NEC code with a Leatherman. But was the wire not rated cable? Was the gauge wire not appropriate?

Now... you have a good point about European voltage and such. But... the wiring methods done according to NEC should be appropriate. Saying, the voltage may be higher so wire size will probably change, but methods should not change.

What did you work off of? Procedures, drawings (were they approved?) nothing? I mean, how did you (and the others working with you) know what to do?

I would like to know factually exactly why the work was not done according to Code, if indeed that is the case.

There was no electrical inspection program where I was. DCMA didn't inspect either. I was never inspected.
Grounding and bonding was an issue from the onset.

Ok... that's a huge matter. You mean to tell me that representatives signed off without checking the work? There is no Authority Having Jurisdiction for this work?

Grounding is one of the single biggest (and most often updated) sections of the Code. Again, any supervisors with field experience (preferably licensed electricians) would have known to do this.

The Army sent out Safety Bulletins and yet no additional training or awareness was implemented by KBR. I had no idea people had been dying of electrocution until June of of '08.

Now it's a big deal.

Ms Sparky

You dang right it's a big deal, if it has occurred. Now... please.. I am not accusing anyone of fabricating anything. I would just like to see something from a reasonably rigorous news source (not a blog or someone's web site) citing the accidents, and more importantly, how they occurred.

Not exactly sure how to use the multi-quote function. So Bear with me. My answers will be in RED.

And I for one, appreciate you working to keep the politics out of this. This needs to be a discussion regarding actual evidence of a deficiency, and the organization's response/ lack of response to that deficiency.



I'm confused here. As a Journeyman Electrician, you pretty much know how to perform basic installation, install raceways, proper gauge wire, etc. Please don't take as an attack or anything; just don't understand when you say "I assumed my work would be done....".

Now... I can do work to NEC code with a Leatherman. But was the wire not rated cable? Was the gauge wire not appropriate?

You can't do EVERYTHING with a leatherman. Electricians need the basic set of tools, screwdrivers, voltage testers, etc. Those were not always available. I didn't have a voltage tester for the first 4-6 weeks that I was there. Not have the right tools was a major problem. Keep in mind this was more industrial/commercial not residential.

Now... you have a good point about European voltage and such. But... the wiring methods done according to NEC should be appropriate. Saying, the voltage may be higher so wire size will probably change, but methods should not change.

What did you work off of? Procedures, drawings (were they approved?) nothing? I mean, how did you (and the others working with you) know what to do?

Unless it was a brand new building being built there were no drawing or prints. The Palace I worked in had NO prints for maintenance.

I would like to know factually exactly why the work was not done according to Code, if indeed that is the case.

We couldn't get the right material and tools. There for awhile we couldn't even get Scotch 33 tape or wirenuts. I traded a six pack of beer for three rolls of Scotch 33 from another contractor. We did the best we could with what we had.



Ok... that's a huge matter. You mean to tell me that representatives signed off without checking the work? There is no Authority Having Jurisdiction for this work?

KBR QA/QC might check some of the new stuff. But our QA/QC at our camp didn't have an electrical inspector. And in the two years I was there no one ever ispected my work.

Grounding is one of the single biggest (and most often updated) sections of the Code. Again, any supervisors with field experience (preferably licensed electricians) would have known to do this.

My Foreman was not even an electrican. Trying to convince him something needed to be done was like trying to teach a pig to sing!



You dang right it's a big deal, if it has occurred. Now... please.. I am not accusing anyone of fabricating anything. I would just like to see something from a reasonably rigorous news source (not a blog or someone's web site) citing the accidents, and more importantly, how they occurred.

I have links to news aricles in my blog. The NY times just came out with another article and there will be more. The DoD is not releasing anything. Here's a link to some of the Senate hearings testimony. It's a video 4 1/2 minutes long. I don't know if the moderators will let this stay or not.

http://newsproject.org/node/91

The biggest problem is information is not forthcoming from DoD or KBR. We get it in bits and pieces from the people involved and the Senate and Congressional Hearings. I am just trying to find out more about the CAR process.

I have learned so much on this thread. THANKYOU!!

Another bunch of reasons why I turned down a $180+K offer back in 2004