8 Takeaways on Delivering Recovery Support

By Stephen O’Brien, Director of INDOPACOM Operations 

The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Guam Industry Forum has wound up.

It was an important opportunity to connect with global experts, U.S. military decision-makers, the Government of Guam, and key local businesses, particularly given construction opportunities in the Western Pacific are estimated to exceed $US2 billion a year over the next decade.

We at Austability have been assisting in reconstruction efforts on Guam, in the wake of Typhoon Marwar which hit the island last year.  As a critical contractor, we have learnt lessons and gained important insights on contingency contracting, which I was able to share in a panel discussion at the Guam Forum.

Since commencing operations in Guam, there have been eight elements that have proved critical to the success of our reconstruction efforts: 

1. Developing a fast-paced environment: Speed is critical to minimizing damage and confidently kickstarting recovery efforts. Contractors need to demonstrate exceptional agility and rapid response protocols.
2. A clearly defined Statement of Work (SOW): Well-defined SOWs to align expectations and responsibility, reduce ambiguities and prevent delays. Investing more time in refining SOWs upfront leads to easier delivery.
3. Creating partnerships and vetting vendors: Build strong partnerships and leverage existing relationships with governments, S.A.M.E, and the Local Subcontractors Association framework. This leads to greater trust between teams and better coordination. These relationships need to be nurtured and the network of pre-qualified vendors expanded.
4. Knowing the lay of the land: Familiarity leads to faster responses from teams. Contractors should understand local logistics, given pre-existing knowledge of infrastructure will expedite recovery. Local expertise needs to be incorporated.
5. Avoiding bottlenecks and having contingency plans: Delays can occur where bottlenecks form and there is a high demand for permits, inspections, and approvals. Processes need to be streamlined but contingency plans must also be in place.
6. Maintaining consistent communication: Clear, frequent communication with all stakeholders is essential to align efforts, ensure transparency, and build long-term trust.
7. Effective workforce management: Rapid recruitment drives and tapping into local labor pools are critical, though this must be balanced with maintaining quality standards.
8. Recognizing circles of influence: Identify what is in your control and can be influenced and what can’t be. Contractors should anticipate changes in local infrastructure, weather, and government capacity and adjust strategies in real time to meet shifting demands.

At Austability, we consistently focus on delivering high-quality, robust and sustainable outcomes wherever we work, including Guam.  Collaboration between all our stakeholders is crucial for success.  It’s all part of our mission to help foster peace and security around the world.