This is what you call an egregious case of war-profiteering after the bloody war is over. I'd also call it chutzpa.
The lone recipient of the largest government services contract in U.S. history has told U.S. military officials that it will take another 13 years and half a billion dollars to finish off its work leftover from the Iraq war.
This assessment from KBR Inc., which won the $38 billion deal from the U.S. Army way back in 2001, is at the heart of a legal battle between the two sides.
KBR was responsible for aiding virtually all American military support operations as part of the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP) III (pdf) in Iraq.
The claim comes after the Pentagon recently sought to change the terms of payment for what's left of KBR's contract. With the war officially over and combat troops coming home, the Defense Department is trying to save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars by paying KBR a fixed amount for whatever is remaining of the work in the war-torn country. But KBR is resisting the change, instead demanding full reimbursement for its efforts, as enumerated in their original contract signed before the Iraqi invasion.
The website ALLGov.com has the story:
The Army’s move to implement the change prompted KBR to sue in court, where its lawyers argued that the remaining duties will cost $500 million and take 13 years to complete.
Apparently, exchanged emails between the two parties were presented as part of the litigation. Charged to review them is
Charles Tiefer, a professor of government contracting at the university of Baltimore, and a member of the
Commission on Wartime Contracting.
“The emails show things have gotten very nasty between KBR and the Defense Department,” Tiefer told the Federal Times.
“The emails show that the Defense Department, in its dealings with KBR, feels like it’s wrestling with a giant python,” he added. “The kind of willingness to work with KBR that you saw for a number of years during the Iraq War has completely gone.”
I don't think it should be a surprise to anyone that after all the
shoddy work KBR did in Iraq, all the tainted food and water they served our troops, the lack of basic safety standards, and the vast, dubious overcharging on projects and services, the Pentagon would be trying their level best to sever ties with the greedy, opportunistic corporation.
I think the Pentagon should spare nothing in fighting these people in court. As a corporation, KBR should be brought down and treated like the stinkin' mangy cur they really are.
With no offense intended to stinkin' mangy curs.
Here's some more informative links on the misadventures of KBR in Iraq
KBR vs. Army: On Largest Services Contract, 'Things Have Gotten Very Nasty' (by Jim McElhatton, Federal Times)
Army Gives KBR No-Bid Contract in Iraq Hours after Justice Dept. Joins Anti-KBR Kickback Suit (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)
Pentagon Fines KBR…Then Gives it a $2.8 Billion Contract (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)
Pentagon Lets $100 Million in Overcharges by KBR Go Uncollected (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)
And, last but not least; here's an illuminating diary from Tuesday written by TomDispatch:
David Vine: Baseworld Profiteering