Washington Consulting Firm Secures Bolivian Justice Project Contract

Despite implementing a new Code of Criminal Procedures and replacing the nation’s inquisitorial system for “a modern accusatorial, oral one,” USAID says that more work is necessary over the next five years “to strengthen and sustain accomplishments.” Consequently, the agency awarded the contract to Checchi & Company Consulting, Inc., a firm known for its worldwide efforts in assisting countries in the modernization of their criminal justice systems. Checchi & Co. must address “new problems with respect to social conflicts (nationwide, but particularly in the western highlands and coca growing regions).” It also will assist in drafting legislation and regulations that will complement the criminal procedural code.

The BAOJ project seeks to create conditions that sustain the capacity of Bolivia’s justice system and the capabilities of the system’s key players. The contract also requires Checchi to “promote and implement commercial and administrative law reform.” The goal of this reform is to enhance “judicial decision-making and governmental action in the commercial arena.”

Checchi, which has been involved in such endeavors for the past half-century, also has undertaken – and continues to lead – similar USAID programs across Central and South America. It's carrying out the Administration of Justice Project in Colombia (2001-2006), the Rule of Law Project in Guatemala (2004-2009), the Strengthening Rule of Law Project in Mexico (2004-2007), and the Institutional Strengthening Project in Nicaragua (1999-2005).

Also in recent, unrelated U.S. government contracting activity in the Americas:

The U.S. State Department’s Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS) said it intends to award a sole-source, noncompetitive contract to the Miami-based Robertson Forwarding, also known as Robertson Freight Forwarding, to “receive various shipments to and from Colombia.” The shipments will include “aircraft parts and components, hazardous materials, ammunition, vehicles and vehicle parts, building and facilities equipment and general commodities.” The contract document didn’t disclose financial terms, nor did it specify what is meant by the term “general commodities.” The NAS has awarded contracts to Robertson previously, including two separate contracts in August 2003 to deliver 20,000 30-round M-16 ammunition clips and 24 bomb-destroying, high-powered water-cannons, respectively.

The U.S. Trade & Development Agency (USTDA) issued a call to industry Jan. 26 seeking bids to provide technical assistance for the Global Navigation Satellite Surveillance (GNSS) Implementation Project. The aim of the overall GNSS project is to modernize the “approach and departure” monitoring and coordination capabilities for 13 airports in six participating countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. The program is “sponsored by” the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and is being carried out by the Latin American Civil Aviation Commission. The technical assistance segment of the project  is valued at $548,600. USTDA only will accept bids from U.S. firms and individuals.