146 RADIOLOGICAL CLEANUP OF ENEWETAK ATOLL the repair project began. The centersection of the 3,000 feet of runway wag replaced, depressed areas werefilled, a seal coat was applied, and airfield markings were painted on the new surfaces. The repairs were highly satisfactory with the exception of the markings. Within 4 months,thepaint was peeling in large flakes. This condition caused growing concern until DNA, in October 1976, had the markings repainted by its base suppor contractor.!3.!4 After these rehabilitation and repair efforts, the runway handled heavytraffic, including C-5 cargoaircraft, for the durationofthe cleanup project. Other Enewetak Camp rehabilitation work which was accomplished by POD contractors in 1975 and 1976 included: rehabilitation of the electrical distribution system; repair of water storage tanks; and repair ofthe salt water pumpstation.!5 These projects were beyond the capability of the MATSCO base support work force. It appeared that, although POD charged an overheadfee for its services, it would cost less to use POD’s contractors to design and execute the work than to augment MATSCO’s capability. These projects took more time and money than the Commander, Field Command had anticipated; however, they vastly improved the essential support systems that would be needed throughout the entire project, and they provided Field Commandvaluable experience regarding the engineering problems, the logistical difficulties, and the high cost of working on the remote atoll of Enewetak. CHANGE OF CONCEPTS AND CONTRACTORS: 1975 - 1977 The original concept was for the Corps of Engineers to include base camp rehabilitation, maintenance and operation in the contract for cleanup of the atoll. This concept had to be changed, however, based upon the | Congressional decision to make maximum use of military manpowerto accomplish and support the cleanup project. While much of the rehabilitation, operations, and maintenance work could be performed by military personnel, a number of jobs remained for which the military services were not manned, since they were normally performed bycivil service or contract labor. These would have to be performed by a base support contractor at Enewetak Atoll. The existing MATSCOcontract was suitable only for caretaker operations. A new contract was required to upgrade the Enewetak Camp from caretaker status and to provide base support during the cleanup project. Field Command attempted to develop a new contract with sufficiently detailed specifications for competitive bid, but which also was broad enoughto allow for the unidentifiable exigencies which were sure to occur during the project.!§ It was a very difficult task, and there was considerable doubt that a satisfactory contract could be developed and awarded in time to support the project. a a.