From Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas Public Affairs Office
TUMON, Guam (NNS) -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Marianas Commanding Officer Capt. Daniel Turner updated the Guam construction community on the Navy’s military construction program during the 2019 Guam Industry Forum, Aug. 9.
Turner began by emphasizing the Navy’s unwavering commitment to safety. “Safety is a journey that we must always be on,” he said. “Our goal is zero preventable mishaps - and we say that all mishaps are preventable.” He emphasized operational risk management and aggressive Good Catch self-reporting as key strategies for an effective safety program.
The commanding officer also provided an update on the $8.7 billion program for the realignment of Marine Corps forces to Guam with a list of projects underway and planned throughout Guam. The extensive list included the main cantonment of the future Marine Corps Base in the Finegayan area of Dededo; and the multiphase, housing replacement on Andersen Air Force Base.
Turner further noted the Navy’s support for small businesses. “More than half of all NAVFAC Marianas obligations during the past five years, more than $180 million, has been awarded to small businesses,” Turner said.
The forum also featured discussions by panels that included NAVFAC personnel and contractors. Each panel focused on a segment of steps in the construction process – concept through design, bid through award, award to work in place and a summary of military work as compared to civilian work.
“In the past, these forums were focused on government speaking to industry,” said Scott Thompson, newly installed president of the SAME Guam Post. “With this large amount of work that’s coming into Guam, we wanted to address some of the challenges that contractors have. We want NAVFAC to hear what the industry has to say regarding executing work on time and within budget. We want the conversation to continue, not just stop at this forum.”
The forum format facilitated better communication among stakeholders that will likely produce favorable results, according to participants. “Government and industry each walked away with a better understanding of different perspectives in the government procurement process,” said NAVFAC Marianas Small Business Advisor Al Sampson, who was a member of the ‘Bid through Award’ panel. “Recommendations were made that would expedite future projects.”
NAVFAC Pacific Operations Officer Capt. Tres Meek made remarks to close the forum. “The clear theme here is the earlier we engage our (architect/engineers) the better; the earlier we engage the general contractor the better; the earlier we engage the sustainers - the public works people- into constructability or even planning, the better,” he said. “We are listening and we are incorporating your lessons to us.”
The Guam Industry Forum was hosted by the Guam Post of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) and held at the Hyatt Regency Guam in Tumon.