DPW releases complete procurement record for $167M Sanchez rebuild project
BY SKYLER OBISPO
Journal Staff
The Guam Department of Public Works has released the full procurement record and evaluation documents used to select the highest-ranked proposer for the Simon Sanchez High School rebuild project.
DPW called the disclosure an “unprecedented step” and said it wants the public to see every score, document, and legal review for themselves.
DPW has released the full procurement record and evaluation documents for the SSHS rebuild project on Dec. 3. Photo by Skyler Obispo
DPW Director Vincent P. Arriola said the procurement followed all requirements of Guam law, with oversight from the Office of the Attorney General.
General Pacific Services filed a procurement protest, triggering an automatic stay on the project.
GPS said it filed the protest because DPW did not initially provide a complete procurement record required under Guam law.
DPW selected Core Tech International as the highest-ranked proposer.
According to the released documents, DPW formally accepted Core Tech’s proposal on Sept. 22.
Construction is capped at $143 million under Public Law 20-27 and is subject to a $166 million bond principal cap.
Core Tech said splitting the funding between 30-year bond financing and two years of direct payments during construction would maximize available funding while remaining within the $166 million cap.
Under the proposed 30-year bond structure, the amount borrowed would total $156.2 million, with $20.6 million in capitalized interest and $2.3 million in issuance fees.
Core Tech said the financing could be supplemented by two legislative appropriations in fiscal 2026 and 2027 totaling $32.8 million. This would bring total available financing to $166.1 million, Core Tech said.
Core Tech’s total proposal—including construction, furniture, fixtures and equipment, and the mandated 1% allocation for arts in public buildings—totals $167.66 million.
The company acknowledged a $1.56 million shortfall but said it “is committed to meeting the budget.”
GPS argues the documents it received were late, disorganized, and missing key items such as meeting notes and communication logs. The company says that without a complete record, the government cannot legally award the contract, and it is asking DPW to restart the procurement.
Joshua D. Walsh, attorney for GPS, said the company wants a “prompt and expeditious” review.
In a Dec. 3 statement, Arriola said, “We respect every proposer’s right to protest. Our responsibility is to review it thoroughly and lawfully. But we cannot ignore the fact that every day of delay directly impacts students, families, and teachers who have waited more than a decade for a modern school.”
About 3,000 students at Simon Sanchez and John F. Kennedy High School are attending double sessions. DPW said the delays exacerbate issues like overcrowded classrooms, lost instructional time, and strain on families' schedules.
The agency said it will resolve the protest “as quickly as lawfully possible,” but noted there is no set timeline under Guam law for how long the review may take.
“Our students deserve a safe, modern school,” Arriola said. “Once the protest is resolved, we are ready to proceed immediately.” mbj
According to President and CEO of the Guam Visitors Bureau Régine Biscoe Lee, visitors from Japan and Korea have rated Guam an eight out of ten on overall satisfaction.
The Salvation Army, in partnership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and community volunteers, hosted its 28th annual Thanksgiving Luncheon on Nov. 27 at the Chamorro Village in Hagåtña.
