Thompson and Rice Write CBP Questioning Border Wall Contract with Fisher
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations Subcommittee, sent a letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding its recent contract award for border wall construction to Fisher Sand & Gravel Company after it decided to begin awarding its own contracts for select border wall projects, rather than through the Army Corps of Engineers. The Chairs also demand CBP halt construction under its border wall contracts.
Fisher, whose initial contract award is currently under investigation by the Department of Defense Inspector General, does not have a proven track record, did not construct a relevant prototype during the selection process, and previously constructed fence for We Build the Wall that has quality and erosion issues. We Build the Wall leaders have also been indicted for fraud in connection to their project.
“Fisher’s selection raises questions about how CBP is soliciting and awarding border wall construction contracts,” wrote Chairs Thompson and Rice. “For example, it is unclear why CBP is restricting bids to those vendors that received contracts in 2017 to build barrier prototypes, especially since none of the prototype designs are being constructed. This approach is counter to acquisition best practices of promoting full and open competition and opportunities for small businesses. We also have concerns about CBP’s capacity to properly oversee contractor performance.”
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