THE bidding for the construction of the Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council building officially opened Wednesday with a pre-bid conference at the Chalan Kanoa Leadership Memorial Kiosku.
Herman B. Cabrera, project manager, talked about the specifics of the project to more than 10 contractors who were present during the conference.
He said the 37ft by 95ft building will have a conference room, office space and storage room, among other features.
It will be located across from the CK Leadership Memorial Kiosku, near the U.S. Post Office and beside the ruins of the former municipal council building.
The old building will no longer be demolished and its ruins will remain in place, Cabrera said.
“It is a very important building. It was part of the history of the CNMI so we decided to not demolish the place,” he added.
Cabrera said the contract for the new building is a full package that will be given to the chosen contractor.
“We hope that we’ll be able to get the best contractor. Good luck to everyone,” he added.
Other topics discussed during the bid conference include the federal minimum wage guidelines for workers, the sewer line. and materials that should be used in the construction project.
For the past eight years, the municipal council rented an office, but recently its members have been meeting under a tree at the memorial kiosku, said Marian Tudela, the municipal council chairwoman.
The construction project is expected to be completed in less than one year.
It is estimated to cost at least $600,000 but not more than $1 million. Variety was also informed that the project is federally funded but about 10% of the amount will come from local funds.
In an interview, Five Star Builders Project Engineer Alan Almero said they may submit a bid proposal.
“This project is a complete package with all the civil works and building construction — that’s what makes it different from all other projects,” he said.
But with only 270 days to construct the building, Almero said he hopes that the permitting will be smooth and swift.
“It is usually the permit application phase that takes time. But construction-wise, the deadline’s feasible,” he added.
Another interested contractor echoed Almero’s sentiments.
“We will do our best to complete the project, maybe even before the target date, should we win the bid,” said the contractor who declined to be identified.
Herman Cabrera, project manager for the new municipal council building, speaks during a pre-bid conference at the Leadership Memorial Kiosku in Chalan Kanoa on Wednesday, May 31.
