US Army Corps of Engineers
Presidential Palace Complex
Kabul, Afghanistan

Prime: Shearer & Associates, inc. (Huntsville, AL)
Sub: Integrated Security Solutions, Inc. (Kalispell, MT)

ISS worked with Shearer and associates as a sub-contractor responsible for a design to install Electronic Security System (ESS) at the Presidential Palace Complex in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan, is located in the east central Province of Kabul. The nation’s chief economic and cultural center, it has long been of strategic importance because of its proximity to the Khyber Pass, a critical trade route through the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The site in the north-eastern part of Kabul was allocated to accomodate the construction of a majestic, fortified castle to serve as the headquarters and home of the monarchy in Afghanistan. The project, to be called Arg-e-Shahi (Citadel of the King), was borne of the wishes of Amir (King) Abdul Rahman Khan when he assumed the throne in 1880.

Over time, naturally, the Arg has undergone modifications and revitalization under different rulers. One of the most impressive buildings in the Arg is the Dilkoshah Palace, located in the Arg. All of the Kings of Afghanistan, from Amir Habibullah Khan onward, used this Palace as their workplace – if not their residence. The interior of the Palace was richly decorated with carpets, artwork and materials from across Afghanistan.

The Arg presently consists of:

In addition, there are various buildings used for receiving delegations or hosting large meetings. The Afghan National Army and various Afghan security institutions also have offices within the Arg.

The Solution:
ISS served as ESS Designer under Prime Contractor Shearer and Associates. Shearer and Associates orchestrated strict coordination with the USACE for electrical engineering, security engineering, low voltage electronics engineering, communications engineering, and lighting engineering disciplines to provide the following services:

• Prepare site investigation/design charrette, adherence to site safety requirements, conduct site investigations and reports with site description/information
• Prepare preliminary studies, budgetary cost estimates, design preparation, design phasing, design drawings, specifications, bid schedules, review installation contractor submittal requirements
• Prepare quantity and cost estimates, installation schedule, Design Analysis (DA), Quality Control Plan (QCP), Independent Technical Reviews (ITR), Design Documentation Reports (DDR), Engineering Considerations and Instructions (ECI) Reports, Installation Services, Installation Site Visits, and reviews of shop and working drawings
  

Challenges Faced:
This project was particularly challenging in that it needed to be done on a “fast track” due to the sensitivity of the political environment.