Bechtel take 4 (let's stop counting after this)....

This is really no surprise...but I am nonetheless outraged.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government awarded Bechtel Corp. a contract on Thursday that could reach $680 million to help rebuild Iraq, including the nation's power, water and sewage systems.

The U.S. Agency for International Development said the initial contract was for $34.6 million but it could be worth the larger figure over 18 months, subject to congressional approval.

Several Democratic lawmakers have complained the Bush administration did not allow open competitive bidding, but rather invited a small number of firms to submit proposals....

Whole story here.