Quality of Work Performed in Installing an Electrical Distribution System at the Desire Housing Project, New Orleans, LA

The Department of Housing and Urban Development, under its public housing program, subsidizes the operations of the Housing Authority of New Orleans. GAO investigated the performance of certain contracts awarded by the Authority for the modernization of the electrical distribution systems at the Desire Housing Project. The investigation disclosed evidence that the contractor used aluminum cable rather than copper cable as specified in the contract and that it did not use a conduit under the buildings. There was also evidence of poor workmanship and a lack of quality assurance inspections during construction. The few inspection reports available disclosed that the contractor had reused old electrical outlets when new outlets were specified and that the cable under the buildings generally was not properly supported.