by Mindy Aguon

Guam - The Guam Economic Development Authority and the Guam Shipyard intend to respond to the Navy's request for proposal for the lease of the former Naval Ship Repair Facility on the naval base. GEDA's lease with the Navy expires in September, the same time the Guam Shipyard's lease expires with the Government of Guam.

The RFP intends to competitively select a lessee who will finance, plan, renovate, construct and maintain the facilities to ensure its viability to be operated and managed as a ship repair facility to overhaul Military Sealift Command ships and voyage repairs for naval ships transiting through Guam. The lease would not exceed 40 years.

An industry forum and site visit has been planned for February 3 for those interested offerors or industry representatives.

While GEDA begins to read through the RFP and determine the scope of work, administrator Karl Pangelinan confirms the agency will work with the Guam Shipyard to get the long-term lease of the ship repair facility. Other interested companies that have expressed an interest in the RFP include Kwikspace Guam, Pacific Rim Management, Inc. in Maite, the Arizona-based Asia Pacific Solutions, Gulf Copper Ship Repair based out of Texas, Port Madison Enterprises from Washington and Salt Creek Boat Works out of Florida.

The Navy is hoping to start the new lease in October of this year.