SIGAR: Afghan Ministry of Defense Headquarters: $154.7 Million Building Appears Well Built, but Has Several Construction Issues

SIGAR found that the MOD headquarters was constructed as a five-story building in Kabul, which, with some exceptions, generally met contract requirements and appears well built. Originally, the cost of the headquarters building was $48.7 million, and it was to be completed in about 18 months. However, there were problems with the contract from the outset. Not only did the Afghan National Army refuse the contractor, ITSI, a U.S. company, access to the site for about a year, but other delays, such as weather, security, and funding issues, emerged.

As a result, the cost to complete the building rose to $154.7 million, or more than three times the original estimated cost. Similarly, although the headquarters building is now essentially complete, it took almost 5 years longer to complete than originally anticipated. The Combined Security Transition Command–Afghanistan (CSTC-A) transferred the building to the MOD on December 28, 2015. As of January 7, 2016 the building was not fully occupied.

On April 30, 2015, AFCEC transferred the MOD headquarters building to CSTC-A. The transfer document listed three deficiencies, including the need to install a firerated glass entry door. An AFCEC official told us that all three deficiencies have since been corrected. During our six inspection visits to the MOD headquarters building, we examined the roof drainage system, seismic separation joints, exterior walls and stairwells, plumbing fixtures and mechanical equipment, auditorium seats and platform stage, electrical and water systems, windows, doors, and ceiling panels, as well as fire suppression pumps, fire alarms, and communications lines. We found other deficiencies not identified by AFCEC that could affect the building’s structural integrity during an earthquake or prolonged periods of rain. These include issues with building separation joints needed for seismic activity, lateral bracing of equipment needed for seismic activity, inadequate roof drains to remove storm water, and stairway handrails that were installed below the required height.

READ FULL DOCUMENTS RELEASED BY: Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction ⇒