FAA concurs with CPA in awarding deal to Telesource

The Federal Aviation Administration has agreed with the recommendation of the Commonwealth Ports Authority to award the contract for the construction of the new West Tinian International Airport to Telesource Corporation, which tendered the lowest project cost at $16.9 million for the 8,600-linear-foot runway.

However, FAA-West Pacific Airports District acting manager Daniel S. Matsumoto said the project can only be authorized to proceed after the U.S. aviation agency has completed reviewing documents that are still yet to be submitted by CPA and Telesource Corp.

FAA is asking CPA to provide FAA a list of all subcontractors and the type and amount of equipment proposed to be used on the project, a copy of the executed contract, and labor, material and performance bonds for its review.

Mr. Matsumoto said FAA would also like to receive information that details the dollar amount of the contract, estimated starting and completion dates of the contract, contract number and geographical area in which the contract is to be performed.

“We remind you of the requirement for a preconstruction conference to include the contractor, construction management, airport management, interested parties including the airlines, and the FAA sector office,” he told CPA officials in a letter.

He pointed out that the low bidder is considered responsible in that his name does not appear in the latest list of debarred contractors issued by the U.S. Comptroller General.

Mr. Matsumoto said eligible work for the project is limited to available federal funds amounting to about $13.5 million.

Six companies have officially submitted their respective proposal to undertake the construction of the new West Tinian International Airport.

Of the six, Telesource proposed to carry out the construction of a 7,800-foot runway of the West Tinian International Airport, which is part of the Basic Bid, at $15.7 million, which is lower by just about $500,000 from second lowest bidder, Guandong Overseas Corporation.

Guandong Overseas offered to undertake the 7,800-foot runway at $16.2 million, while the company submitted a bid of $18.4 million for the alternative bid that involves the construction of a longer runway.

Nippon Hodo submitted $18.8 million and $19.4 million for basic and alternative bids respectively; Black Micro Corporation offered $18.9 and $20.7 million; MAEDA proposed $20 million and $22 million; while G/E submitted $26 million and $28 million for the Tinian airport project.

CPA solicited two separate invitations for the project; one encompassed the construction of a 7,800 linear-foot asphalt concrete runway and the other was for an 8,600 linear-foot runway, according to Mr. Palacios.

The ports authority has so far made about $17 million in total funds available for the West Tinian International Airport improvement project, almost half of which were sourced out of the Federal Aviation Administration grants.

FAA has provided about $13.5 million in financing for the West Tinian International Airport expansion project, while the balance has been pledged by members of the Tinian Legislative Delegation through the island’s Capital Improvement Project funds.

Under the basic bid, the $17-million project would be for the construction of a new 7,600-foot runway, two 600 linear-foot taxiways, one 200 linear-foot partial taxiway; and the conversion of the existing 6,000 linear-foot runway to a parallel taxiway.

It will also include the construction of 2,296 linear-foot parallel taxiway connecting to Runway 26 and rerouting 4,400 linear-foot of 8th Avenue, which will form part of the proposed 7,600 linear-foot runway.

The new runway will be constructed parallel north of the existing runway which will be transformed into a taxiway.

The construction of a new runway is part of the original West Tinian International Airport rehabilitation plan. CPA previously changed the plan by proposing to instead extend the existing runway which FAA opposed.

The 8,600 linear-foot runway is part of the second or alternative bid which the ports authority will solicit from companies interested to undertake the West Tinian International Airport project.

Also included in the basic and alternative bids are all drainage, guidance signage, taxiway and runway edge lighting, rotating beacon, beacon tower, approach and identifier lights, and other roadway works.