Congressman Mica blames VA for delay in Lake Nona VA Hospital

VA puts hospital contractor for Orlando project on notice
By Marni Jameson
Orlando Sentinel
February 5, 2013

"The contractor has a reputation of doing a professional job with no conflicts," said Mica, "and the opposite is true of the VA."

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has fired another volley in its ongoing showdown with the main contractor for the much-delayed Orlando VA Medical Center.

The VA has issued a "Show Cause" notice to hospital contractor Brasfield and Gorrie. The legal order basically asks the contractor why it should not be fired.

Brasfield and Gorrie has until Monday to respond to the VA's claims, brought last week.

"It's getting to where there may be some action by the VA to terminate the contractor," said U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, who met with both parties last month. "I would hope that's not the case. I hope they can continue the work, get the project done and settle the differences afterward."

If the contractor is fired, hospital completion would be delayed even further because of the time needed to hire a new builder and go through the contracting process, he said.

The $665 million hospital was initially scheduled to open last October, but thousands of plan changes, poor communication and disagreements have stalled construction, according to the 90-year-old construction firm.
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