Decision on housing project bids due

The construction management firm on the Koblerville expansion project will report its evaluation on the three prospective contractors bidding for the 45-unit housing development at a board meeting tomorrow of the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation.

Board members are likely to select a sole contractor within the next few days, ending years of planning on the project considered by local officials as part of the efforts to stir the local economy through increased construction activities on the island.

The comprehensive, but “highly sensitive” report, which is to be presented at the closed-door meeting, involves analysis of each proposal handed in by the three finalists conducted in the last few months by SSFM, the construction management firm hired for the project.

NMHC Corporate Director Marylou S. Ada said a final choice of the contractor by the board is not likely to be made immediately after the meeting, noting that members are aware they will have to make their “most critical and hardest” decision.

“It’s too much for the board to decide quickly (on the report),” she explained. “It will take several days for them to make up their mind.”

Three construction companies — Pac United, North Pacific Builders and Telesource — are vying to forge an agreement with the government-owned housing corporation, estimated to cost about $7 million.

At least 45 families, selected from applications received by NMHC since last October, will receive their respective housing units when the project is completed within the next 10 months.

More than 10 construction firms on the island offered proposals to the Koblerville expansion plan, but the list was whittled down to six and later to three that made the final evaluation process.

The project is intended to provide housing units to first time homeowners who will pick among the 19 models designed by a Honolulu-based architectural firm.

More than 100 applications were received by NMHC. Out of the 45 eligible families, five will qualify for the two-bedroom house, 25 for the three-bedroom house and 15 for the four-bedroom units.

Local officials have been looking at the construction industry to help alleviate the current economic slump since the project is expected to benefit small contractors who are bearing the brunt of the two-year crisis.