Tuesday, December 8, 2009

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Millions still up for grabs at airport By Scott Armstrong ~ Guardian Business Editor ~ scott@nasguard.com: Millions more dollars of work is still up for grabs for Bahamian companies on Lynden Pindling International Airport's development as it enters its final round of contracts for stage one construction of the new U.S. Terminal and pier. So far about 85 percent of the contracts for stage one of the project have been handed out with some 23 Bahamian companies sharing in around $44 million - around 33 percent. Now, the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) has begun advertising for more potential bidders to come forward as it enters the final phase of contractors with some 15 percent of work left to hand out. That could be worth around $20 million, which if the same ratio of work holds true, that is around $6 million more for Bahamian contractors - in areas such as interior finishes and furnishings for the new terminal and IT packages. Some stats on construction contract awards to date include: ·$44 million - or 33 percent of work awarded to Bahamian contractors (so far) ·85 percent of construction contracts (by value) awarded for stage one. ·Remaining contracts should be fully awarded by the spring of 2010. ·23 Bahamian contractors have been awarded work for stage one. ·8,900 person-days of employments on the construction so far - 80 percent Bahamian ·Approximately 150 workers on site today – 400 expected at the peak of construction. The above statistics only include construction-related activity and not design or engineering that also included several Bahamian firms. Stewart Steeves, Vice President of Airport Development for NAD said: "We officially began construction on the new U.S. Departures Terminal in July with significant work getting underway in August and since then the project has been progressing on budget and schedule. "Some 23 Bahamian contractors are working on the LPIA expansion site through contracts with NAD, Ledcor and Ranger Construction (our principal general contractors), with further Bahamian companies acting as suppliers of equipment, material and services to the project. "Bahamian companies are benefiting from the entire project. So far, approximately $44 million of work has been contracted to Bahamian firms, with further awards anticipated. Approximately 85 percent of the stage one work has now been awarded. "As far as additional work to be tendered, we have yet to award the contracts for the interior finishes and furnishings for the new terminal, and the IT packages. We anticipate all work will be awarded by the first quarter of 2010." Tuesday December 08, 2009