COLLAPSE OF TEXAS TOWER NO. 4 163 



4. It was discussed and made clear that except for transportation from Otis 

 Air Force Base to the towers, all contacts, negotiations, and other matters re- 

 garding this work would be between the A. & E. contractor and the DPWO. 

 Also, it was agreed that all negotiations and administration of the contract for 

 this work would be handled by the DPWO without the need for consultation, 

 reference to further clearance or approval by Air Force representatives. That 

 the point of contact for the DPWO, IND with the U.S. Air Force would be with 

 the commander, Otis Air Force Base, and all distribution of information or re- 

 ports regarding this matter within the Air Force shall be made by the com- 

 mander, Otis Air Force Base. 



5. The urgency and importance of getting inspection work at the site underway 

 was repeatedly stressed. It was therefore recognized that some premium costs 

 probably would be encountered and that such costs in this instance were justi- 

 fied. Due to the many unknown factors involved, a firm estimate of the total 

 probable cost of this work M^as not available at this time. It was arranged 

 that Dr. Rutledge would submit a proposal to the DPWO and advice as appro- 

 priate would in turn be forwarded to the commander, Otis Air Force Base, at the 

 earliest date practicable. In the meantime, it was considered necessary that a 

 preliminary allocation of $25,000 be made available by the Air Force to enable 

 an early and orderly start of this work. 



6. Dr. Rutledge was instructed by Captain White to proceed immediately to 

 incur such obligations as were necessary to get the work underway at the earliest 

 date practicable and was assured that a formal letter of intent or notice to pro- 

 ceed would be issued at the earliest date possible. Also, that any obligations 

 incurred to carry out this request would, in the event of cancellation of this work 

 in the meantime, be reimbursed. It was indicated that inspection engineers and 

 magnafluxing equipment was desired at the site at the earliest possible time, 

 preferably on January 23, to which Dr. Rutledge agreed to make every reason- 

 able effort to meet the desire. As requested by Captain White, Dr. Rutledge 

 agreed that he would submit his proposal as quickly as the necessary informa- 

 tion, prices, and other matters could be resolved and that in the meantime work 

 would proceed as expeditiously as practicable. 



W. R. BOTEE. 



Copy to: Dr. Rutledge (1), Major Mix (2), BuDocks (2), Code 21 (1). 



Mr. Keistdall. One final question, Captain. How much money was 

 involved in this contract? 



Captain White. It is going to amount to about a total of between 

 $225,000 and $250,000. 



Mr. Kendall. Does that include the entire inspection of the towers ? 



Captain White. That includes everything that we are going to do 

 with respect to this study. 



Mr. Kendall. Why does the copy of the contract show only $83,000 ? 



Captain White. For the reason that in order to get this contract 

 started, we had to get authorized the work in increments, because other 

 items of work to be accomplished, such as oceanographic studies, such 

 as underwater scour determinations, such as corrosion surveys — wet 

 were not able to get a price on them in such time, nor were we able to 

 sufficiently define the scope of the work that was to be done under 

 these particular things to write them into the contract at the time the 

 original document was drawn. We have since added those items of 

 work by change order. 



Mr. Kendall. But you honestly feel that by employing Moran, 

 Proctor, the original design engineers, you are going to receive a com- 

 pletely objective report of the structural stability of towers No. 2 and 

 No. 3? 



Captain White. I have no question of it, sir. If I had any ques- 

 tion of it, I would not have given them the contract. 



Mr. Kendall. I have no further questions. 



Captain White. I would like to ask one question. We are clear 

 now, are we not, that the original design that was in my letter to Col- 



