DPW issues long-awaited construction management RFP for Simon Sanchez High School

Nearly a decade in the works a request for proposal for the construction of a new Simon Sanchez High School was issued on Jan. 8.

The construction RFP follows the completed design phase, which was led by the school community. The Department of Public Works (DPW) Division of Capital Improvement Projects Contracts Administration Section issued the RFP for a professional construction management services. Bids are due to DPW by 4 p.m. Feb. 5. RFP information is available at dpw.guam.gov. 

Acting Gov. Joshua Tenorio said this next phase will “secure the services of a professional construction management team that will act as our agent and guide the procurement and award for construction to ensure the highest standards of construction quality, adherence to timelines, and the overall success of the project.” 

The decision to divide the project into phases follows years of procurement troubles after a $100 million design and build RFP was issued and awarded in 2015 to Guam Education Financing Foundation. According to Journal files, in 2016, the Department of Public Works denied protests filed by Core Tech International Corp., which were later filed with the Office of Public Accountability. In an effort to get a new school constructed, senators passed a law that made the passed the responsibility of the school to the Department of Education in 2018. Taniguchi Ruth Makio Architects won the $5.7 million contract to design the school. 

The Yigo school has been shut down several times over the last several years for failing to meet health and safety requirements. Currently, the school’s students are sharing John F. Kennedy High School’s campus in Upper Tumon because of extensive damage caused by Typhoon Mawar, according to education officials. mbj