U.S. Air Force
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific has awarded a $78 million firm-fixed-price contract to Black Construction Corp. of Harmon, Guam, for the design and construction of a live-fire training range complex at Northwest Field, Andersen, Guam. This project directly supports the plan to relocate Marines to Guam which has been 12 years in the making. This is the second contract awarded since the Department of the Navy completed final regulatory requirements this past July.
This project is hotly contested by the local direct action Group Prutehi Litekyan - Save Ritidian, which has been demonstrating and circulating petitions against the range. A Navy news release addresses contentions by the Save Ritidian group that the range threatens the endangered species and important archaeological sites in the area. Shortly after release of the Navy contract award, members of Save Ritidian were formulating an official response and plans for further action.
"Following extensive work to meet the Department of Defense (DoD) mission, while focusing on responsible use of natural resources and protection of cultural resources, the Marine Corps is pleased to see this contract awarded," said Col. Brent Bien, Officer in Charge, Marine Corps Activity Guam. "We are committed to Guam, and our forward presence here will play an essential role in strengthening the military's ability to maintain regional security and protect the nation's interests in the Pacific." This project will provide training facilities and live fire ranges. The work to be performed provides for the design and construction of a complex of four live-fire training ranges and supporting structures. The supporting structures include a range maintenance building, administration building, area distribution node with radio frequency communication tower, two surface radar/camera sites, and a new entry gate facility into the complex. This project also provides for the rehabilitation and widening of Route 3A from Potts Junction to the Entry Control Point of the range complex. Work expected to be completed by November 2020. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 11 proposals received.
A B-29 bomber takes off from Northwest Field in 1945