More MilCon awards announced, DoD eyes improvements in Peleliu

Two awards have been made from Government of Japan funding or mamizu money as part of the effort to speed up construction at Marine Corps Camp Blaz and other military locations in Guam and the region.

Hensel Phelps Shimizu JV was awarded a $78.43 million contract for the construction of a corrosion repair facility at Camp Blaz.

The facility will feature reinforced concrete in its building “and will include comprehensive fire protection, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and telecom systems designed to withstand Guam’s earthquake and environmental conditions. The construction will also meet the unified facilities criteria, incorporating anti-terrorism/force protection requirements, according to Naval Facilities Engineering and Systems Command Pacific, which made the award on April 10. The expected completion date is October 2026.

Caddell-Nan Joint Venture was awarded a $44.27 million contract “for the construction of a two-story education center” at Camp Blaz. “The work is aimed at providing primary education and family services to active-duty Marines and their families stationed in Guam,” according to NAVFAC Pacific, which made that award also, on May 2. “The facility's design includes an academic instruction facility, a family service center, library, and an education services office. The expected completion date is May 2026.

NAVFAC announced the awards in a May 22 release, CHamoru Standard Time.

In related news, Judith Sanchez, deputy political-military advisor for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Senior Military Official to Palau, and Harry W. Elliott, counsel for the INDOPACOM’s Senior Military Official to Palau, led “community engagements” in Peleliu to discuss a proposed defense site, which includes repairs and expansion to the Peleliu airstrip and Peleliu’s South Dock.

State officials from Peleliu were present at the meetings. The pair were accompanied by engineers from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Marine Corps, according to a May 17 release from Joint Region Marianas.

The U.S. Department of Defense will also be conducting upgrades to the Palau port in Malakal, according to Journal files.

Elliot was previously involved in last-minute discussions with the Commonwealth Port Authority on amendments to the Tinian Divert Airfield lease and the 1983 Tinian land lease, according to Journal files.

DoD has also made awards for radar facilities in Palau, according to Journal files. Representatives of the Pacific Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center of the Tactical Multi-Mission Over-The Horizon Radar or TACMOR to be built in Palau held a public hearing in Ngaraard in Babeldaob on Oct. 26, 2023.

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