by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Believing there were irregularities with the procurement process, DFS Group officially filed a protest with the Guam International Airport Authority over the awarding of the highly lucrative specialty retail concessionaire bid. Earlier this month the airport board voted to award the concessions to Lotte DFS Guam. The decision came after a nearly six month long process.

DFS Group Chairman and CEO Philippe Schaus and COO Michael Schriver believe there were "unusual delays" with completing the award process and expressed concerns over the regularity and transparency associated with the process. In a press release, the two said the process took four months longer than anticipated due to several postponements acted by the GIAA on the grounds of procedural issues.

"We have reviewed all available information associated with the bid process and to this point remain greatly concerned over the regularity and transparency of the process," Michael Schriver stated. "Winning and losing concessions is the nature of the airport retail business and over the past 52 years, DFS has enjoyed its share of wins and losses, however the process that has been experienced in Guam is unprecedented." He said the protest
represents the continuation of requests and protest that DFS has undertaken since October of last year.

Shriver added, "We at DFS share the concern of the Guam business community that the reputation of Guam as a place to invest for business may be tarnished by these unusual proceedings, which have been largely publicized in the local press. Through this protest, we seek to ensure that the bid process be fair and transparent, and that all the rules and laws governing the process be strictly adhered to.

The value of transparency and an investment process that is free from undue influence is of paramount importance." DFS Group has been maintaining the contract at the airport for the last decade and have been on a month-to-month contract pending the award of the new ten year concessionaire contract.

As a result of the protest that was filed late Tuesday afternoon, the airport must immediately cease negotiations that were ongoing with Lotte DFS Guam. GIAA officials have not provided any comment on the filing of DFS Group's protest.