Determining Recoupable Funds Using the Military Construction, Army Mobilization Program (MOBPRO).

During mobilization, resources may be diverted from lower priority construction projects to projects that directly support the mobilization. The use of the Corps-wide, automated Mobilization Program MOBPRO for the first time in Fiscal Year 1990 revealed the need for field guidance in estimating amounts of recoupable resources that might become available from early termination of construction projects. Such estimation is not always straightforward since a construction projects percent completion does not necessarily reflect the type or amount of resources recoupable at that point in time. This study analyzed the process of construction project termination to find out whether more reliable guidance could be developed. Personnel from Corps of Engineers District and Area Offices were interviewed to determine the factors influencing construction project termination, and the construction contract clauses that significantly affect the amount of recoupable resources. The study explored several concepts and developed a formula for estimating recoupable resources. It concluded that, while an expert system could be developed to assist in estimating recoupable resources, such a system would be costly to develop and would do little to speed the legal negotiating process that accompanies contract termination. MOBPRO, Military construction.