Guantanamo Gazette
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Guantanamo Gazette NO (q -- U.S. Navy's only shore-based daily newspaper -- p r , ROICC awards, supervises N and provides policy guidance W EBay News for all contract construction that takes place on base Editor's Note -- This article S takes a close look at the personnel and function of the office of the Guantanamo Bay history. Resident Officer In Charge of Construction. Twenty-six years ago, on Sept. 27, 1961, the Morin Center was By JOSN J.D. Parks dedicated. The center was named after BM2 William Morin, Many new construction projects are Congressional Medal of Honor underway on the base, and contract recipient who, while serving construction companies complete the aboard USS Marblehead, disabled work. 27 contact mines in Guantanamo But who decides what company gets Bay on July, 27, 1898. the contract, and administers the project once the contract is awarded? The office of the Resident Keys Officer In Charge of Construction lost (ROICC) is responsible for A set of keys on a silver key construction contracts on the base. chain was lost at McCalla Hangar "We award, supervise, and provide during quarters today. If found, policy guidance for contract call Robin at 4442 during working construction on the base," Lt. Ondr. hours, or 2217, GHT room 310, Mike Oakes, ROICC, said, adding, after working hours. "The work orders are submitted and the funding is provided by the individual groups or departments. Housing inspections "The biggest projects we have underway now are the senior bachelor Project Planning -- Jack Neill (left), chief engineer officers' at the office of Housing inspections will be quarters, chiefs' barracks the Resident Officer In Charge of Construction (ROICC) and Ensign Eric Dan- and Leeward barracks renovation conducted by the NAVSTA Fire feld, assistant ROICC, discuss a project with a contractor. (Photo by JOSN Department through Nov. 13, from project being completed by Turner J.D. Parks) 4:30 to 7 p.m. International," he explained. Other projects include The next scheduled inspections a new eliminate as much inconvenience as are: housing project being built by design oversight, a material supply ZuB- we can." problem or an employee problem." Sept. 28 - Oct. lin and pavement repairs to Sherman Neill has been 1 working in Denfeld said, "The customer may Tierra Kay Center Bargo Ave., by P and M Joint Venture. construction for 47 years, and "We has want something different from the Residents unable to comply with are fortunate here in having worked in Guantanamo Bay for the very efficient, hard-working con- way the contractor is building it, the above schedule for their last 30 years. "Construction work is so we housing tractors who seem to be dedicated to also make sure everyone area, should call the very interesting to me," he involved Fire Prevention making the Navy-contractor knows what is going on. Office at 3441 or explained. "The entire process gives "That way we 3442 for a construction team work," Oakes said, won't have as many scheduled appointment. me a great sense of accomplishment, communications problems." adding, "We see all types of seeing a project from start to Before any work can be done, contractors, and varying success on finish." a the job, but the contractors we are contractor must be found who is able Area off limits Charlie Barnes, ROICC construction to do the job. The task working with now are very representative, of finding a describes his job as contractor is a very complex The area north of the line from dedicated." that of a building inspector. process. buoy 7 to Granadillo Point will Jack Neill, chief engineer at "I familiarize ROICC, said, myself with the This process is handled by Theresa be off limits to small boating, "My responsibility is blueprints, and to review the oversee the actual Brown, ROICC contract specialist. swimming and diving from 4 p.m., proposed construction construction to make sure everything project, "When funding is received, the job Sept. 30, through 4 p.m., Oct. 2, and see that the plan is is satisfactory, and the materials feasible for the area is advertised locally and in the due to EOD demolition training. and to resolve are up to the standards outlined conflicts with the plans. by United States in the Commerce the plans," he said. Business taily. "Sometimes the architects BUC Robert Chapman, Little Theater tickets construction "Upon requests from contractors, designing the projects will representative, said, "We receive overlook special considerations bid packages are sent to allow for Tickets are available for The for daily reports from the job sites, submission of the bid." building in Guantanamo Bay," Neill Guantanamo Bay Little Theater's and act as a liaison between the According to Brown, the contract production of 'Harvey' from cast explained. Public Works Department and the is not automatically "For awarded to the members, the Public Affairs example; we have almost a contractors. lowest desert environment bidder. The bid must conform Office, or at the door. here, and we may Oakes added, "The people who work to get most the essential requirements of the Performances will be given Oct. of the annual rainfall in here are very hard-working and invitation the course of a few days." for bidding. 1, 2 and 3. mission oriented. I haven't worked The bids are then evaluated to Oakes added, "In cases like the with a better group anywhere." determine the successful bidder is repaving project on Sherman Avenue, are There normally five construc- responsible. The firm must have the NBCPO closed we also have to plan carefully to tion representatives at ROICC; three capacity and the financial ability structural specialists, Due to required training in the one to performs, as well as possess the mechanical and one electrical Naval Civilian integrity, perseverance and tenacity Personnel Bata Flight schedule specialist. System, the Staffing Division of to properly complete the project in Barnes said, "We are NBCPO will be closed during the Provided by all familiar a timely manner. with the parts of the construction, week of Sept. 28. Base Personnel Once this is established, and the and are familiar with all aspects of contract is awarded, much remains to Transportation Office building inspection. Our training in be done. Insurance due the other areas is not as current or The next steps include: Saturday, Sept. 26 detailed as that of the other inspections, processing of invoices, Insurance on POVs is now due C-9 3:35 p.m. Cherry Point specialists." for the month possible change orders, final of September. Check (10 seats) Neill added, "Right now we are the policy for the due date. Sunday, payment, contractor's release, and Sept. 27 short-handed, but we have two new finally, close-out. Remember, the date on the policy MEDIVAC 1:15 p.m. Norfolk, Va. construction representatives is coming, Close-out includes an evaluation the date the insurance Tuesday, Sept. 29 and their credentials expires. 727 noon are of the contractor's performance. Kingston excellent." Oakes explained, For more information, call 727 3:45 p.m. Norfolk, Va. "Finding a good Barnes continued, "We have good contractor is very important, as the 4266, Monday, Wednesday and C-141 9 a.m. Roosevelt Roads/ contractors here right now, but Civil Engineering Corps and the Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Charleston every once in a while, a contractor contractors have to work as a team Thursday, Oct. 1 will try to cut corners, and the to get the job done." C-141 11:30 a.m. Roosevelt Roads/ construction School safety representative's job is Brown added, "It is a Norfolk to see that very it doesn't continue." challenging and rewarding Friday, Oct. 2 job. I get Children are reminded to cross Ensign Brad Campbell and Ensign to see everything 727 noon Kingston from the planning Sherman Ave. only at designated Eric Denfeld are assistants to the to the completion crosswalks. 727 3:45 p.m. Norfolk, Va. of the project, Bicycle riders are ROICC, and are responsible for and it gives me a Saturday, Oct. sense of urged to follow bicycle safety 3 overseeing construction once it is accomplishment." regulations, walk their MEDIVAC 12:50 p.m. Roosevelt Roads awarded. bikes An important element in any office across the street and remain on Campbell said, "We administer the is the receptionist. bike trails until they get to Note: All personnel are reminded to contracts when the construction is ROICC receptionist Susan school. use only Travel Request 4650/32 underway. The construction Towery said, "In addition to (Rev.6/86). For more information, representatives typing, do the actual in- answering phones and making please call BPTO 4901. spections, guard Daily safety tip and when conflicts come mail runs, it is my job to meet and up, we talk to the contractor and All personnel talk to the contractors, and answer Avoid toe-tal loss, wear planning on taking R the others involved foot and try to get any questions. If they protection. and R trips (on station C-12) are it resolved." have any reminded that the questions I can't answer, then I maximum baggage He added, "It is not always the allowed is 20 pounds. contractor's fault, it may be a CONTINUED on page 4 trolling notor, oars anchor and trailer, $500. Call X971 AWH. 14 ft. Tri-hull with '84 35 hp. Mercury, 5 hp. Eska kicker, Ranger 3000 VHF radio all afe ty equip, and readyfor out-of-bounds certification $2,000. Call 2971 AWH. the the Boat engine prop, 10 inch by 13 Scoop pitch for 35 hp.