SIMON SANCHEZ HIGH SCHOOL DEVELOPER SELECTION PROCESS REACHES FINAL PHASE

Tamuning, Guam - The Department of Public Works (DPW) announced today that the evaluation phase for the new Simon Sanchez High School project is now complete, marking a major milestone toward delivering a long-awaited, state-of-the-art campus for the students and educators of northern Guam.

The selection process was conducted under the guidelines of Public Law 37-22 and the MA KÅHAT Act. A multi-agency Evaluation Committee-chaired by Guam Department of Education Superintendent Dr. Erik K. Swanson and comprised of representatives from the Guam Department of Education (GDOE), Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA), Department of Public Works (DPW), and Department of Land Management (DLM)-carried out the review with transparency, rigor, and integrity.

"I want to personally thank each member of the Evaluation Committee for their diligence and professionalism throughout this process," said DPW Director Vincent P. Arriola. "The work they've done reflects a shared commitment to our youth and the future of Guam."

Three highly experienced firms submitted full proposals for the Finance, Demolition, Design, Build, Lease/Leaseback, and Insure/Capital Maintenance (FDDBLM) delivery of the new campus:

• Core Tech International
• General Pacific Services (GPS)
• Guam Education Financing Foundation (GEFF)

All three proposers demonstrated significant capacity and experience in school construction, along with a clear desire to serve as long-term partners to the Yigo community. Each firm articulated its commitment to deliver a project that meets technical, financial, operations, and maintenance expectations.

The firm recommended for negotiations is: CORE-TECH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.

With this selection, DPW and government stakeholders will move into the contract negotiation phase. If terms cannot be finalized with the top-ranked proposer, the government will initiate discussions with the next most qualified firm as provided by law.

"This process has never been just about construction," Arriola noted. "It's about restoring trust in public institutions and providing our youth with the facilities they deserve. This was a long, carefully structured RFP, developed with input from GDOE, the principal of Simon Sanchez High School, GEDA, DPW, the Attorney General's Office, and our consultants, all of whom are committed to getting this right."

Arriola also emphasized the importance of maintaining forward momentum, urging all stakeholders to uphold the integrity of the process and address the community's urgent needs.

"The students of Simon Sanchez and their families have waited too long. Every proposer has claimed to be a committed community partner, and we are taking them at their word. A protest at this stage would not only be contrary to that commitment-it would delay a project that thousands of students, parents, and educators have been depending on for over a decade."

DPW is committed to transparency and partnership as it enters this next phase and looks forward to announcing the final contract details in the coming weeks.

"We are not just building a school," Arriola said. "We are building a future for future generations of our island's children."

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