by Clynt Ridgell, KUAM News Friday, December 28, 2007 Subscribe to Clynt's newsfeed   E-mail this article Printable version KUAM Toolbar Web Widgets Get RSS headlines

The procurement of three used gantry cranes for the Port Authority of Guam has been put on hold. At yesterday's PAG board of directors meeting chairman Monte Mesa said the agency had received a letter from Attorney John Unpingco, who represents Far-East Equipment. Mesa says Unpingco's letter was addressed to the General Services Agency regarding bid invitation for a new dockside container handling gantry crane, which was rejected because of the cost and the company's bid did not meet bid specifications.

The sole bidder filed a protest on the bid rejection notice was dated November 29.

Matson and Horizon Lines, responsible for about 80% of Guam's cargo, offered to bid for the cranes from the Port of Los Angeles, provided port employees would handle the operations of the crane, while thw two shippers would handle the purchase, installation and maintenance of cranes. According to PAG public information officer Josette Javalosa, GSA is handling this issue as the port does not have any delegation of procurement authority and the letter has been forwarded to the agency's legal counsel for review and disposition.