SSHS Construction Delayed Again After Core Tech Files Second Appeal

August 11, 2016

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The appeal was filed with the OPA yesterday.

Guam – Core Tech International has filed yet another appeal with the Office of Public Accountability after it’s protest was denied last week…causing further delay in the construction of a new Simon Sanchez High School.

Core Tech filed the appeal with the OPA yesterday afternoon. This follows The Department of Public Works denial of Core Tech’s third protest last week stating that Core Tech’s claims are without merit. Core Tech’s most recent claims include an alleged violation of the $100 million RFP cap and DPW’s failure to maintain proper procurement records. During a motion hearing this morning at an OPA hearing, Core Tech’s legal counsel Joyce Tang requested that the second appeal be consolidated with Core Tech’s first appeal since the first appeal is currently awaiting the OPA’s opinion. However, Assistant Attorney General Shannon Taitano says they need at least 10 days to review the appeal because they just received the appeal this morning.

Tang says, “Yesterday, Core Tech filed an appeal with the denial of the protest regarding two issues: the issue relating to the $100 million cap and the other where we allege that DPW failed to maintain a proper procurement record. We just recently received the denial from the agency and filed our protest appeal yesterday. We ask that it be consolidated with the first appeal, same issues, same procurement record, same parties.”

Assistant Attorney General Shannon Taitaino requested, “We were going to ask for more time because we haven’t reviewed or been served the notice of appeal. I just received it this morning from Core Tech’s counsel.”

OPA says although they want to expedite the process because they want the matter resolved, they want to preserve the right of the parties in the procedure by providing sufficient time for the government to review the appeal. The hearing that was initially set for Monday, August 22nd has been pushed back to September 7th.