by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - The Consolidated Commission on Utilities approved a resolution during its meeting Tuesday authorizing management of the Guam Power Authority to contract services for system integration and system engineering staff augmentation. The resolution is part of GPA's implementation of the over $33 million smart grid project.

GPA has since contracted with Black & Veatch to provide the smart grid Program Management Office services. Black & Veatch has an existing master services contract allowing work to be performed through a newly-created task order for system integration not to exceed $650,000.

According to GPA spokesperson Art Perez, the resolution ensures there's no glitches and allows GPA to bring in technical expertise in order to have the integration in place.

GPA meanwhile is set to address public concerns regarding the smart meters along with providing additional information on the project as Committee on Utilities chair Senator Tom Ada holds an information hearing next week. The information briefing is set for Monday, October 15 at 6pm at the Guam Legislature Public Hearing Room.