JFKislanders.com

Two-year target for JFK completion proposed
Monday, 02 March 2009 00:27 by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff
www.mvarietynews.com

STRETCHING the timeline for the construction of a new John F. Kennedy High School building from nine months to about two years would save the government of Guam approximately $10 million. peaker Judi Won Pat and Sen. Frank Aguon Jr. agree on this projection.

Won Pat recently introduced Bill 52, which proposes to change the construction period to 18-24 months. The nine-month timeline is set by the current law.

“Although I believe that our JFK students should have access and use of their school facility at the earliest time possible, the cost variance scenario is a sufficient cause for our government to revisit the timelines provided by law,” Aguon stated in a letter to Gov. Felix Camacho.

Aguon said the issue must be addressed quickly since the selection of a contractor for the construction and maintenance of the new JFK campus has  already been chosen. Although the International Bridge Corporation has been selected, the negotiation of contract with the Department of Public Works has yet to be finalized.

Part of the negotiations is a performance bond that is expected to be included in the contract. A performance bond allows the local government to recover damages it may sustain as a result of the contractor's default up to a stipulated limit, often the estimated cost of construction.

According to a Variety source, recent discussion has centered on a proposed $5,000 a day in liquidated damages, if the contractor fails to perform as promised in the contract. Because the negotiation continues, the amount could change.

The Guam Education Financing Foundation was the selection committee's second choice, and the Guam Community Improvement Foundation ranked third on the list.

GEFF was the company that was given the contract to build the four new schools: Astumbo Middle, Liguan Elementary, and Okkodo High schools.

Adacao Elementary School is under construction and will be completed by September of this year. The school will open its doors to new students by school year 2010-2011.