VA averts construction shutdown at troubled Denver hospital - turning the corner yet?

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Fri, 22 May 2015 09:06:28 -0400

Congress also wants the VA to fire those responsible for the massive cost overruns in Denver and make major internal changes to avoid a repeat - perhaps turning over responsibility for major construction projects to the Army Corps of Engineers.

http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/va-averts-construction-shutdown-at-troubled-denver-hospital-1.347659

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2015 7:04 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 19:04:28 -0400

This does seem like a common sense measure, SPC Jeff Daley, PhD. I would recommend to lawmakers that they put a stop on the $360 million in VA bonuses until every veteran receives quality health care in a reasonable amount of time (30 days? even that seems long to me). Maybe that would motivate VA employees and change the culture. I believe a cultural change, a paradigm shift is what's needed.

While holding the bonuses until one particular facility is build is a step in the right direction, I think the goal (the destination) should be the veterans being served. I would stop the bonuses until they are being served in a timely and proper manner.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 28 at 2015 4:56 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 16:56:09 -0400

I'd like to know where the oversight is here!

We have a hospital that was supposed to built for $630,000,000 and be completed in in May 2015 but is 2 1/2 years away from completion at a cost of 1,730,000,000?

$360,000,000 in bonus money for one year, and we are facing sequestration? If the exec's didn't take more than their "fair share" all 300,000 employees could receive a $1,200 bonus...

Am I missing something here, where is the oversight?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2015 8:16 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 20:16:02 -0400

Why are they getting bonuses???? I mean it is a non profit correct? Just saying.... And as for it being over budget, I thought we went with the lowest bidder... So why is this an issue... Maybe they just need to audit everything... Find the mathematical anomalies... That is what they would do to the regular American if our taxes don't add up...

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 22 at 2015 9:14 AM

PO1 John Miller — Fri, 22 May 2015 09:14:39 -0400

So how much more is this going to cost us?

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Sep 3 at 2015 3:07 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 15:07:28 -0400

That would be a great idea!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 3:21 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 15:21:17 -0400

The Corp has been doing large construction projects for a lot longer.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Sep 3 at 2015 7:10 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 19:10:35 -0400

This isn't a new idea. Both the Navy and Army have been construction agents for other Agencies when it was apparent the Feds could save money by doing so. Both services do a lot of Air Force work, Navy has built stuff for NASA and DOE, etc. Mostly the reason was a local fully capable military design management and contracting office so other capability didn't have to be imported and then tossed 2-3 years later. I would caution any entity doing hospital work in that it's a very different breed of construction and not for amateurs. Contracting offices need their top people on it.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Sep 4 at 2015 10:03 AM

LTC John Shaw — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 10:03:56 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Great idea, shocking it has not been mandated before.