fp Turks and Caicos

Monday marked the countdown to the bid award for the airport expansion project, one of the largest development projects to be seen in the country in months.

The seal on the box containing the bids was ceremoniously cut by Justice of the Peace and pilot Harold Williams. The box contained seven bids ranging from $46.5 million to the lowest bid of $33.8 million.

The bids are for what is being called Phase 1 were called out at the end of December by the Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority. They were to include the airside works, which includes an extension of the current runway to accommodate larger aircraft up to a Boeing 777.

Bids were opened one by one in front of several dozen anxious construction company representatives and the media. The final bids read aloud by Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer John Smith differed by as much as $13 million.

Smith said the bid will not necessarily be awarded to the lowest bidder, but that many factors will be considered during the decision process.
Smith said there are many criteria for tender evaluation, which includes company experience, quality of past work, the proposed schedule and phasing of the project, with bonus points given for local involvement. Smith explained local involvement will be given especially significant weight, as the project is “needed and designed to stimulate the local economy.”

Bids came in from seven companies headquartered in several countries, including the United States, Canada and the U.K. However, most either have a local office or links with a local construction firm. “This is not a job of work we do everyday,” Smith said, explaining that an experienced international partner will be important.

Herzog construction, which originates in St. Joseph, Mo., has both airport experience as well as experience in the Turks and Caicos. The company was founded in 1969, primarily for asphalt paving and airport construction in the midwest United States. Today the Herzog companies specialize in railroad construction, transit services, civil construction and railroad services across the United States.

Malphrus Ltd., headquartered in South Carolina, also has an operation in the Turks and Caicos Islands, responsible for marina excavation, airport construction, underground utility installation and road construction for The Turks and Caicos Sporting Club on Ambergris Cay.

Dexter Construction Company Ltd. is a New Brunswick registered company focusing on all aspects of construction and civil contracting. Asphalt supply is a core business for Dexter Construction, which was involved in the construction of both the Grand Turk Airport and Bermuda International Airports.

IDL Projects Inc. is another Canadian company with an office on Providenciales in the TCI. IDL is a general contracting firm servicing the Western Canadian and Caribbean construction markets.

Turquoise Construction Co. Ltd./Ashtrom International Ltd. has built a number of resort projects in the TCI. Ashtrom has built highways, marinas, harbors, hospitals, power stations, bridges and airports, including the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Kier Group is a U.K. company that has worked in more than 50 countries — with regional offices in Jamaica — that has built rail, ports, highways and airports, including the terminal building at Jamaica’s Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica.

MCM (Munilla Construction Management) is a Miami based company that has worked on several Interstate highway projects in South Florida and on the North Terminal at the Miami International Airport.

An assessment panel comprised of seven individuals is to commence immediately with the evaluation of the bids. A decision is expected to be announced by the middle to end of next week. Smith promised they will remain “as always” open and transparent and live up to their commitment to announce the winner within 10 to 14 working days.

Once the bid is awarded, Smith committed to construction works beginning sometime this year.