- Target:
- CONGRESS
- Region:
- United States of America
There are 9/11 ground-zero survivors (DC) never mentioned in the September 11th narrative. These forgotten ground zero “survivors” were assigned to work at the DoD as analysts from federally funded research centers (FFRDC).
These survivors were not classified as either federal employees, members of the military, or traditional contractors. Such survivors might be thought of as “quasi-government” analysts who worked for “…a special type of government-owned, contractor-operated research centers (GOCOs) that conducted research and development and related activities in support of a federal agency’s mission…” (CRS R44629 2021) As “quasi-government” analysts, these forgotten 9/11 survivors did not receive any assistance from their employers, the federal government, or non-profits (charities). They were left to fend for themselves during a national emergency.
THE TWO FACES of RAND
Create A Watchdog Agency for ALL Federally Funded Research & Development Centers
I am requesting that Congress withhold all federal funding to The RAND Corporation (FFRDC) until: RAND settles with its only 9/11/2001 survivor and creates a workforce reflecting the nation’s demographics; and Congress stands up a special watchdog agency to monitor and investigate all FFRDCs’ internal management practices. Some FFRDCs do not practice with what they advise the federal government to do. What is good for the federal government is NOT good for RAND.
Several FFRDCs act with impunity because of their unique relationship with the federal government. Internally, these FFRDCs do not act in the best interests of certain employees.
Since September 11, 2001, RAND still treats its only 9/11 survivor-victim like a pariah by disseminating false information about her 9/11 location, injuries, and providers; and refusing to negotiate a settlement in spite of its public declarations to the contrary. It was not until 2004 that the “system” awarded this 9/11 survivor lifetime medical benefits. Yet, since 2001 she continues to pay out of pocket for her 9/11 healthcare.
On the morning of 9/11, she was attending a Top Secret SO/LIC TS meeting in a conference room on the E-Ring between Corridors 4 and 5 at the DoD. With her colleagues, she escaped from the collapsing and fire engulfed conference room and corridor. Out of the three attack sites (NY, PA, DC), this survivor was the lone RAND employee positioned in any 9/11 ground zero location and the only RAND DoD IPA whose FY 2002 appointment, RAND claimed on September 26, 2001, was not renewed.
RAND has never explained why other RAND DoD IPAs (majority white and male) continued with their FY 2002 IPA assignments beginning October 1, 2002, the new fiscal year. None of those IPAs were located in ground-zero during the DoD attack and were neither black nor female. Neither the federal agency nor RAND will share with the survivor what was communicated about her sudden departure.
Neither the DoD nor RAND has an independent agency for reporting such workplace improprieties. As quasi-governmental representatives operated by contractors, FFRDCs are obligated to “(1) to operate in the public interest with objectivity, (2) be free from organization conflicts of interest, and (3) fully disclose their activities to their sponsoring agency.” (CRS August 2021 R44629)
Due to FFRDCs’ strategic and long-term relationships with the federal government, the EEOC may not have the objectivity and institutional knowledge to monitor and investigate any FFRDC.
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The The Forgotten 9/11 Survivors of DoD petition to CONGRESS was written by Traci Williams and is in the category Government at GoPetition.