Panama Canal looks for lock builders

THE Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the construction of the new set of locks to be built under the Canal's Expansion Program. The release of the RFQ is part one of a two-phase process to determine the firm that will ultimately design and build the new locks. During this first prequalification stage, the ACP will evaluate responses from prospective firms based on a combination of pass/fail criteria and capabilities. The four firms that meet the ACP's needs with the highest number of points will move to the second and final round. The short-list-selection is expected to be announced by the end of November 2007.
"We expect firms from all around the globe to respond; this is the most important contract within the Expansion Program. Over the last several months we have seen a number of international consortia being formed to participate in our contracting process, all with a keen interest to undertake the design and construction of this project of global significance. There are many talented and creative firms out there that have the technical and financial strength to carry out this work successfully. We look forward to selecting, towards the end of next year, the consortium that submits the best proposal," ACP Executive Vice President of Engineering and Program Management Jorge L. Quijano said.