Several reasons were outlined in a 3 page documents from the Source Evaluation Board that reviewed bids for Phase 5 & 6 of the Airport Apron Rehabilitation Project as to why McConnell Dowell should get the job over Paramount Builders.
Paramount was the lowest bidder however the SEB recommended McConnell. Chief Procurement Officer Dr Oreta Crichton awarded the project to Paramount.
Among the reasons cited by the SEB is that the relocation of the fuel tanks at the airport which was completed last year by Paramount have still not been fully commissioned. There are apparently some faults with the underground piping.
Paramount was also late in starting the work on phase 2-4 of the airport reconstruction which was awarded early last year. It was only in January that the work actually began.
The contractor had cited shipping delays as he reason for the late start which the SEB did not accept because the shipping delays only happened in the early part of this year and the company had all of last year to mobilize.
Another reason that the SEB gave for their decision to go with McConnell Dowell rather than Paramount is because McConnell has a proven record in airport construction work.
The SEB pointed out that the work that Paramount did for Phase 2-4 mostly involved earthworks and that was not enough to prove their expertise in airport construction work.
In gathering information for this story, KHJ News learned that members of the SEB had all signed non disclosure forms.
Getting the names of the individuals on the SEB was not possible, but we do understand they included officials of Port Administration and Public Works.
The cost of Stage 5 & 6 of the Apron Rehabilitation is $8.3 million.
