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A new multi-million-dollar project to help Guam law enforcement solve crimes using DNA evidence has been stalled by a procurement protest filed with the Office of Public Accountability.
Guam Community College is handling the procurement for the $4 million DNA forensic laboratory, which will be built on the Mangilao campus, where the existing Guam Police Department Crime Lab is located.
In addition to helping Guam police catch criminals, the lab also will help students gain a better understanding of police forensics, the Guam Community College said in a 2014 statement, announcing it had received a $5 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to build the lab and to renovate college Building 100.
Losing bidder Phil-Gets (Guam) International Trading Corp., doing business as J&B Modern Tech, is protesting GCCs intent to award the $4 million contract to ProPacific Builder Corp.
J&B Modern Tech alleges the winning bid was flawed and failed to provide required documents.
ProPacific Builder President Jean Yu on Monday said it has the lowest bid and submitted all of the documents required by GCC. Yu said the contract price is about $4.1 million.
"We have the low price, and I dont see any mistake in our submission. But well wait for the public auditors decision," she said.
J&B Modern Tech President Generoso Bangayan has asked the public auditor to overrule GCC President Mary Okadas denial of J&B Moderns protest. Okada said the protest was untimely.
Bangayan said ProPacifics bid is not the low bid and also is "not responsive," allegedly because of several mathematical errors in coming up with the bid price, as well as failing to present key documents, such as a verified contractors license and proof of insurance.
"J&B should have been awarded this project because it was actually the low bidder. PBCs bid should have been rejected as unresponsive due to omissions noted above," Bangayan stated in J&B Moderns Oct. 30 appeal with the public auditor.
Public Auditor Doris Brooks on Nov. 1 appointed attorney Delia Lujan Wolff as the hearing officer for the procurement appeal.
GCC, meanwhile, has hired the law firm of Cabot Mantanona to represent the college in the matter.
GCC, in its 2016 master plan, included the construction of a DNA forensic laboratory facility and generator on 12,000 square feet of property.
Reporter Haidee Eugenio covers Guams Catholic church issues, education, business and more. Follow her on Twitter @haidee_eugenio. Follow Pacific Daily News on Facebook/GuamPDN and Instagram @guampdn. |
