Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, December 14, 1999

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 2 1 093 3 1 5 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Jill Homan December 1 4, 1 999 202/225-306 1 ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND UNION HONORS CONGRESSMAN EHRLICH WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. was honored today by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (I.A.M. & A.W.) Local 2424 located at Aberdeen Proving Ground, for his support and work on their behalf to secure contracts. Congressman Ehrlich stated, “I am honored that the I.A.M. & A.W. presented me with this special award and an honorary membership in their union.” This year, APG underwent Department of Defense (DOD) ordered workforce efficiency studies. These studies, officially named Commercial Activity (CA) studies, gauge how work can be performed most efficiently and effectively - by either DOD employees or a qualified outside contractor. In May, the Army announced a private contractor submitted the successful bid on a CA Study focusing on the APG Garrison. The I.A.M. & A.W. appealed a decision, which awarded a contract to a private company, on the grounds of impropriety and unfairness in the bidding process. Congressman Ehrlich, subsequently, requested the Garrison Commander investigate these charges. He met with Generals Eric Shinseki and John Cobum and wrote the Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera regarding the questions of fairness and impropriety. In September, the Army announced its decision to award the contract to a private contractor had been reversed which means hundreds of jobs at APG will likely be saved. Congressman Ehrlich summarized, “I will continue to monitor this situation very closely and offer my assistance to the employees at APG. I am very pleased to have worked with I.A.M. & A.W. on this matter and appreciate their recognition of my work with the Garrison CA Study.” ###