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CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo — Members of the 1902nd Contingency Contracting Team used the ABCs of contracting as part of a humanitarian project enabling more than 1,400 students in Zhur, Kosovo, to enjoy simple comforts in their school for the first time in many years.
The 1902nd CTT is a National Guard unit from Pennsylvania and falls under the operational control of the 409th Contracting Support Brigade, stationed in Kaiserslautern.
The school recently underwent major repairs with the assistance of Army Kosovo Peacekeeping Force teams from Camp Bondsteel and the U.S. embassy office in Pristina, Kosovo. The school, offering first through ninth grades, is located in a more than 50-year-old building. When the project was first reviewed for consideration, reports showed the school was in severe need of repair.
“The building itself was a rundown facility with holes in the walls and few working lights,” said contracting officer Capt. Travis Dennis, a member of the 1902nd Contingency Contracting Team.
Last year, the school was one of the several projects nominated for the humanitarian assistance program. After the project received approval, a contract was awarded to renovate the school. Renovation included repairing eight classrooms, fixing the damaged portion of the roof and installing tiles in the hallways.
“After the final site visit, we realized there was so much more to be done to bring this school to a condition that promoted a safe and secure environment where the students would be able to learn,” Captain Dennis said.
The engineer working as the contracting officer’s representative on the project, 1st Lt. Felix Reyes, 92nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, identified several additional areas that could be renovated quickly before the students returned for the fall semester.
“I can’t promise anything additional will be approved, but if the legal office says we can only do one thing, what would you chose? The principal said lights. The kids can’t learn if they can’t see,” said Captain Dennis after talking to the principal about additional renovations.
The contracting team was able to utilize the remaining balance of the funds to further improve the school.
So far, repairs to the school include a new roof, new floors, painted walls, 13 new doors, 300 new overhead lights, 120 electric outlets and switches, eight chalkboards and construction of a retaining wall.
The school renovation has had great impact on the community.
“This restoration has supplied many jobs to the local small businesses, as well as (contributed) to the local social economic development,” said Lt. Col. Pete Reynierse, 1902nd Contingency Contracting Team chief, Balkans Regional Contracting Office
The Balkans Regional Contracting Office also supports many other projects that cover the Balkans region. The territory includes Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Macedonia and Serbia, among others.
“This is a great start for this school, and I am looking forward to seeing this project to completion.” Captain Dennis said.
