GPS is ‘ready to build,’ criticizes Public Works' procurement decision

Although General Pacific Services alleges that the Department of Public Works intentionally delayed the Simon Sanchez High School procurement, the contractor said it "remains ready to start building" as the department prepares to issue a new request for proposals.

DPW canceled the procurement after denying GPS's three protests filed in 2025. According to GPS, the decision came 271 days after the contractor said it alerted DPW to what it described as critical flaws in the procurement process and the planned selection of Core Tech International.

The first protest, filed Nov. 19, 2025, challenged the maintenance of the procurement record. Two additional protests filed Dec. 12, 2025, questioned the issuance of a notice to proceed for demolition work and the responsiveness of a competing bidder's proposal.

DPW said the three protests triggered an automatic stay under Guam procurement law but were ultimately denied after officials found no violations of procurement statutes.

Though in a letter addressed to GPS attorneys, DPW acknowledged that the project had advanced through evaluations, negotiations and the issuance of a notice to proceed for the highest-ranked proposer. But stressed that no final agreement was executed between the government and Core Tech International.

"It is in Guam's best interest to reject all proposals and cancel the procurement," DPW Director Vincent Arriola said.

GPS argued that the cancellation contradicted DPW's earlier position.

"DPW’s August 17, 2026, cancellation decision comes 193 days after DPW previously concluded that cancelling was not appropriate, and that setting aside the stay of procurement and pressing forward with performance by CTI was at that time “necessary to protect the substantial interests of Guam.” The OPA ultimately rejected the DPW view after 82 days of litigation," GPS said.

GPS said DPW took 61 days after the Office of Public Accountability returned the matter to the agency before the decision to deny GPS's protest.

It's a decision that GPS characterized as an inaccurate interpretation of the factual record.

"DPW’s reasons for denying GPS’s protest are rooted in illusory visions of the factual record and knowing indifference of procurement law. DPW’s justification for finally denying the GPS protests rings hollow, and the prolonged 271-day delay in obtaining a protest denial casts serious doubt on the veracity of DPW’s cited grounds. Had these justifications been a real reason for protest rejection, they would have been identified promptly rather than taking nearly nine months to materialize," GPS said.

GPS said it is weighing whether to pursue further litigation.

Regarding the rebidding of the procurement, GPS believes it should be fast and straightforward.

"The school’s design is already complete, and at the same time, DPW now clearly understands its record-keeping requirements and is unlikely to enter into extended secret negotiations again with a bidder. Most importantly, the entire process must be completely transparent: the people of Guam will not tolerate secret, closed-door deals designed to save bids from those in political favor that violate the law," GPS said.

Guam News Network has reached out to the DPW Director Vincent Arriola, no response was received as of print of this article.

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