by Nick Delgado

Guam - This Thursday is the deadline for interested parties to submit proposals to the Navy's request for proposal for the lease of the former Naval Ship Repair Facility on Big Navy. 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.

GEDA officials have confirmed that they are working 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 in Maite, the Arizona-based Asia Pacific Solutions, Gulf Copper Ship Repair based out of Texas, Port Madison Enterprises out of Washington and Salt Creek Boat Works out of Florida.

The Navy is hoping to start the new lease in October of this year. The deadline for proposals is this Thursday.