Iraq Reconstruction Resources: Fact Sheet

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

CRS-2
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

CRS-3
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:

CRS-4
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

CRS-5
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.