VOL. 61 ISSUE 12 DECEMBER2020 • GUAM CONTRACTORSʼ ASSOCIATION
RESPONSE PLAN
from your friends at GCA
YOUR CHOICE OF 0.9% FOR 60 MONTHS WITH ZERO DOWN + A CAT® CUSTOMER VALUE AGREEMENT* OR 0% FOR 60 MONTHS WITH ZERO DOWN** Apply on Cat Attachments too! Because your business never stops, we want owning new Cat® compact equipment to be simple and hassle-free. Right now, you can take advantage of low interest rates with unmatched support from Hawthorne Cat. Plus, with a Cat Customer Value Agreement, you get 3-year comprehensive coverage and up to 50% longer component life with the use of genuine Cat parts that are conveniently provided for planned maintenance. This finance rate can also be applied to attachment purchases, helping you get even more done for less. Just a few of the new ways we say, “Hello and welcome to Hawthorne Cat.”
Guam | 671.649.4228 Hawaii | 808.677.9111 San Diego | 858.674.7000 www.hawthornecat.com *Financing offer valid from July 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021. 0.9% interest for 60 months financing with zero down payment available only on the following new Cat machines manufactured by Caterpillar Inc.: Skid Steer Loaders, Mini Excavators, Compact Track Loaders, Compact Wheel Loaders, Backhoe Loaders, Small Dozers, Small Wheel Loaders, and Telehandlers and when purchased with a qualifying Cat Customer Value Agreement (CVA). A qualifying CVA includes the Maintenance Parts Kits for 3 years/1,500 hours (exception: the Small Wheel Loader includes a parts kit for 3 years/3,000 hours); TA1 Inspection; Product LinkTM; and a Powertrain, Hydraulics and Technology Equipment Protection Plan (EPP) for 3 years/3,000 hours on Skid Steer Loaders, Mini Excavators, Compact Track Loaders, Compact Wheel Loaders, Backhoe Loaders, Small Dozers, Small Wheel Loaders and Telehandlers. The maintenance parts included cover the first 1,500 hours (estimated 3 years) of machine utilization. The kit contains one set of parts for regular planned maintenance under normal operating conditions. In some severe applications where maintenance parts need to be replaced more frequently, the additional parts will be at the customer’s expense. Excludes dealer labor, wear parts, S•O•SSM and fluids (final drive oil is included for Compact Track Loaders, and Mini Excavators). The fluids not included are oils, grease, coolant, friction modifiers, additives, etc. All excluded items are available at participating dealers at an additional cost and should be negotiated with the dealer. For details on the exact parts list for your specific machine, please contact your local dealer. Financing, zero down, and published rate terms are only available through Cat Financial for customers meeting credit approval and subject to Cat Financial offered terms and conditions. Not all buyers will qualify. Higher rates may apply for buyers with lower credit rating and lesser qualifications. Offer available only at participating Cat dealers. Flexible payment terms available to those who qualify. Offer is available to customers in the USA only. Offer subject to machine availability. Offer may change without prior notice and additional terms and conditions may apply. Contact your Cat dealer for details. **Financing offers valid from July 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021. 0.0% interest for 60 months financing with zero down payment available only on the following new Cat machines manufactured by Caterpillar Inc.: Skid Steer Loaders, Mini Excavators, Compact Track Loaders, Compact Wheel Loaders, Backhoe Loaders, Small Dozers, Small Wheel Loaders, and Telehandlers. Financing, zero down, and published rate terms are only available through Cat Financial for customers meeting credit approval and subject to Cat Financial offered terms and conditions. Not all buyers will qualify. Higher rates may apply for buyers with lower credit rating or lesser qualifications. Offer available only at participating Cat dealers. Flexible payment terms available to those who qualify. Offer is available to customers in the USA only. Offer subject to machine availability. Offer may change without prior notice and additional terms and conditions may apply. Contact your Cat dealer for details. © 2020 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Corporate Yellow”, the “Power Edge” and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONSTRUCTION NEWS BULLETIN
DECEMBER PRESIDENT’S LETTER
6
S.A.M.E. update
8
FEATURE STORY
10
Military news
14
Small business notes
15
NAWIC NEWS
16
NEWSLINE
18
10
FEATURE STORY
16
2020
NAWIC NEWS
NOW ACCEPTING ONLINE PAYMENTS VIA PAYPAL
VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO 2 | DECEMBER2020
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your vision our reality At Hawaiian Rock Products, we are always ready to meet your construction needs. In Guam, we have a fleet of over 200 construction vehicles and a workforce of over 200 employees. We operate state of the art facilities, strategically located throughout the island with the capacity to fulfill any project size requirements. Our vast fleet of equipment continues to expand along with the growing needs of the industry. We are here to provide you with the quality products and services you need, when you need them. 2019 GCA Contractor of the Year
Building The Marianas Since 1958 2008 Business Laureate
READY MIX CONCRETE • ASPHALTIC CONCRETE • CONCRETE BLOCKS • CONCRETE PIPES AGGREGATES • PAVING CONTRACTOR 1402 Route 15, Mangilao, Guam 96913 • Tel: (671) 734-2971/8 • Fax: (671) 734-0990 • www.hawaiianrock.com
20-HRP-010 Your Vision GCA
EDITORIALS
CONSTRUCTION NEWS BULLETIN
THEDIRECTORS
THEEDITORIALS
THETEAM
PRESIDENT James Martinez Guam Contractors’ Association
Guam Contractor’s Association (GCA) in conjunction with Adztech and Public Relations, Inc. publishes the Construction News Bulletin (CNB) monthly. Reproduction of materials appearing in this publication is strictly forbidden without written permission by GCA.
PUBLISHER: James Martinez
CHAIRMAN Peter Errett Hawaiian Rock Products VICE CHAIRMAN Bill Beery Tutujan Hill Group
While we always strive for accuracy, we will from time to time overlook mistakes. In order to help us improve the quality and accuracy of this publication, we ask that you take the time to look at the information provided and notify GCA or Adztech of any corrections as needed. Opinions and editorial content of this publication may not necessarily be those of the publisher, production team, staff, GCA members, GCA Board of Directors and advertisers.
SECRETARY/TREASURER Grace Jacot SET Pacific PAST CHAIRMAN Jessica Barrett Barrett Plumbing CONTRACTOR DIRECTORS: Don McCann Black Construction Corporation
For more information about advertising in the GCA Construction News Bulletin contact the advertising department at (671) 477-1239/2239 or email at adztech@teleguam.net.
Shoja Rezvani Contrack Watts Contractors John Sage Pacific Rim Constructors Inc.
Distributed to GCA members or can be obtained by stopping by the Guam Contractors’ Association office located at 718 N. Marine Corps Drive, Suite 203, East West Business Center, Upper Tumon, Guam.
Dan Soriano Granite Construction Lucia Wood APTIM ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS: Jose Garcia First Hawaiian Bank
To find out more about how you can become a GCA member contact Guam Contractors’ Association at Tel: (671) 647-4840/41 Fax: (671) 647-4866 or Email: gca@teleguam.net. www.guamcontractors.org
Mark Cruz MidPac Far East Patty Lizama Pacific Isla Life
AD SALES: Jaceth Duenas PRODUCTION: Jason Davis Geri Leon Guerrero Christopher “Taco” Rowland EDITOR: Adztech CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Pete Diaz RD Gibson Al Sampson Joanne Messier Rebecca Gale GCA STAFF: Desiree Lizama Elaine Gogue Francine Taitague Trevor Cruz COVER: Planning together to better prepare our island.
Postmaster. Send address changes to Guam Contractors’ Association, located at 718 N. Marine Corps Drive Suite 203, East West Business Center, Upper Tumon, Guam.
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4 | DECEMBER2020
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PRESIDENT’S LETTER
CONSTRUCTION NEWS BULLETIN
President’s Letter
Hafa Adai GCA Members: As 2020 comes to an end, I wanted to wish our GCA Members a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year in 2021! Yes, 2020 has been a little rough on and we are anxious to see it leave but let us all be thankful for what we have and not dwell on what we have lost. We are especially thankful for all our members who have endured the hard times with us this past year and I believe our resilience will bring us back to better times. Let us all be thankful for our health and our family, friends, and co-workers. From the GCA Board of Directors, Staff and Management we wish our Members a
Very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous and Healthy New Year! Dångkulu na si Yu’us ma’åse’ James A. Martinez President Guam Contractors Association
Guam Contractors Association
6 | DECEMBER2020
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S.A.M.E. UPDATE
CONSTRUCTION NEWS BULLETIN
Society of
NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2020
American Military Engineers
ANNOUNCMENTS 29 DEC 2020
Deadline for CAN-STRUCTION Food Drive Photo Submission. Design and build structures from canned foods, then drop off on 30 Dec to designate locations to be donated to the Ministry of the Homeless. Flyer - Click Here
NEW MEMBERS Welcome to the SAME Guam Post! •
Bill Grip Senior Program Manager MBP Sustaining Member Rep.
•
Roland DeGuzman Senior Project Manager MBP Sustaining Member Rep.
OPPORTUNITIES Education: Available free to members. Visit: www.same.org/education -opportunities to boost your knowledge! No Meeting in December!!!!
Meetings renew in January 2021!
NOVEMBER MAIN PRESENTATION RECAP:
EXPEDITIONARY MEDICAL FACILITY (EMF) BUILD AT SOUTH FINEGAYAN, GUAM CDR Brandon Casperson, provided the main presentation at our virtual November General Membership Meeting covering the EMF Build at South Finegayan, Guam. CDR Casperson is currently the Chief Staff Officer under Commander, Task Force 75 (CTF 75), Navy Expeditionary Forces Command Pacific (NEFCPAC). The purpose of the EMF’s construction in South Finegayan was to rapidly expand the military’s on-island medical capability and capacity to support the recovery of Sailors assigned to aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt impacted by an outbreak of the coronavirus. Nearly 5,000 sailors were moved ashore from the aircraft carrier and all of the crew were tested for the virus on Guam. The EMF will also enable forces to be postured to support Guam and the region if a Defense Support of Civil Authorities mission is requested. The EMF provides additional medical services similar to that of a community hospital, including operating rooms, an intensive care unit, an acute care ward, extended patient holding, equipment sterilization, a medical laboratory, a pharmacy, and a blood bank. Support facilities include staff housing, food services, bathrooms, showers, laundry, public works, storage containers, fuel storage, and hazardous material storage. EMF equipment was offloaded, sorted and organized into a staging yard on Naval Base Guam (NBG) to enable rapid transit to the construction site when the location was ready. Simultaneously, the Seabees prepared the ground for the construction of the facility, including grading and leveling of the five-acre site. Seabees assigned to 30th Naval Construction Regiment completed construction of the EMF in South Finegayan the week of May 11, achieving full operating capability and enabling the EMF to execute all of its designated medical tasks. The EMF was eventually relocated to NBG, which is a more consolidated site with durable structures and is better suited to support sustained medical capabilities and additional capacity in the military’s regional fight against COVID-19 throughout typhoon season.
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CONSTRUCTION NEWS BULLETIN
There was a meme floating around in the earlier days of the pandemic. We say ‘earlier days’ like it happened a long time ago; like the last nine months of our lives weren’t riddled in uncertainty, fear, and misery - that the exposition to this saga would never seem to find its climax. Anyway, back to the meme. It stated something along the lines of “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some precedented times.” Poking fun at the incessant, repetitive, and cliche use of the term “unprecedented”, seemingly making light of the situation at first; until the numbers would come every night at around the same time via social media. Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, wherever you get your news, always showcased the numbers of spikes and dips in community cases. However, moving forward, it is seriously and wholeheartedly going to take the collaborative planning from all industries to manifest some of the strictest safety measures across all of these industries. Sometimes the website data will not cut it. Especially in a community that thrives in interaction, has communal gatherings, where people live in multi-generational homes, and talks story at the supermarket. It is easy to look back and see just how this has affected our lives. Social distancing, mask wearing, limited capacity, temperature taking before entering a facility, floor markers reminding people about their physical distance, ‘safer at home’ orders, essential versus non-essential and so much more - have become part of our everyday lives in the gestation-like period of this pandemic. CISC and the Response and Mitigation Plan Yes. It has been nine months. And nine months ago, March 25, 2020 to be exact, in response to the pandemic, the Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC) went ahead and crafted a “Response and Mitigation Plan template for contractors, specialty contractors and subcontractors.” James Martinez, President of the Guam Contractors Association, continued, “the template is to be used as a guide and can be tailored to fit each individual company’s needs.” According to the Response Plan, the CISC was formed to give information to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and contractors on important safety and health issues. Martinez added how it’s a response and mitigation plan should there be a confirmed infection case at a workplace. “The plan describes how to prevent worker exposure…, protective measures to be taken on the jobsite, personal protective equipment and work practice to be used, cleaning and disinfecting procedures, and what to do if a worker becomes sick,” it states in the plans.
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However, like most things related to this pandemic, the plan template from the CISC is subject to change based on information and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and OSHA. A lot of this plan is clearly what the community has adapted to over the last few months - refer to aforementioned control and preventive guidance above. But, more than those, it is an intricate, multi-layer template that mirrors CDC, OSHA, and Department of Public Health and Social Services guidelines. According to Construction Safety Manager, Vincent Salas of LMS, the plan is there to assist and provide another resource to help and eliminate the spread of this disease. “The program is not designed to duplicate or do anything different than DPHSS,” which he credited as doing well considering the current situation. “It’s just another tool for mitigation and response.” Salas added this is also a way for industries to find a middle ground in developing effective ways for companies to keep people employed, stay open, and prevent and reduce the spread, as well. He said industries are trying to instill a sense of confidence in that they are working to prevent and mitigate the spread. He went on to discuss how all participating businesses would do a 100-percent test among their entire roster of employees. From there, anyone who contracted it would be isolated and quarantined. Then, every one to two weeks the employer would randomly test 10 to 15-percent of the staff from different departments. Any positive cases will be isolated and quarantined, the businesses will be inspected, and findings will be reported. This plan is meant to prevent the spread and protect employees and employers, according to Martinez. He elaborated, “When it comes to the health and safety of our employees, not just in the construction industry but other industries as well, the development of a response plan...is another tool to help protect our employees from eminent hazards such as a pandemic.” Martinez said, initially, a key component was not in the CISC plan: rapid testing, monitoring, and surveillance. This ultimately led to a partnership with the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association, which has created their own pandemic response plan specifically geared toward the tourism industry. Martinez stated the ‘testing mechanism for employees’ in GHRA’s plan was also added as the ‘missing component’ to the GCA Construction Pandemic Response and Mitigation Plan. Ta Na Hemlo i Isla-ta - Let’s Heal Our Island Martinez added the GCA’s teaming up with “GHRA, GVB, and the rest of the tourism industry” as part of the Ta Na Hemlo i Isla-ta (Let’s Heal Our Island) program. These
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organizations and others augment and add the missing component for the construction industry plan, and it’s “one that makes sense to prevent the further spread...by testing and monitoring employees who are asymptomatic and show no signs of infection.” As the community has discovered those who are asymptomatic have the potential to spread the virus throughout the community, especially since they do not have symptoms and might not know if they have it. As part of the GHRA 4th General Membership Meeting held on December 10, 2020, President Mary Rhodes and Dr. Hoa V. Nguyen presented the Ta Na Hemlo i Isla-ta program. They stated it’s a “comprehensive community based initiative” and it seeks to stop the spread, get Guam open, and bring together best practices and science. There are several partners involved according to the collaboration chart presented, which includes the aforementioned organizations, DPHSS, the University of Guam, the Guam Community College, the GCA Trades Academy for health and safety protocols, risk assessment, and containment management. Additionally, the American Medical Center, GCA, higher education institutions, and different industry officials are part of the rapid testing and surveillance contact tracing column. According to Rhodes, the training for this public-private partnership began around the beginning of December. It’s a pilot program, which “includes developing health and safety protocols, training and certification, as well as rapid testing and surveillance survey featuring digital contact tracing, which will be reported to DPHSS and the CDC,” as it states on the GHRA YouTube presentation. The program will identify participants - those businesses and companies who want to participate. GHRA and its partners will provide education and training, provide support through risk assessment and containment management, use medical expertise, rapid testing and surveillance, as well as develop and work on a universal process with DPHSS that can be used moving forward. The three-month pilot program will be considered fee-for-service, as the program is in its infancy. Rhodes stated the plan has been presented to Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero to see whether or not CARES Act funding could be used to expand the services to companies beyond those who can financially participate in the program, as well as various industries. These go beyond hotels and restaurants, but wholesalers, public safety, insurance, telecommunications, and government agencies. Rhodes started, “This really could be a plan, not just for the private sector, but for the public sector, to regularly test our employees who are working in the industry.” She continued how it is a way to improve public confidence throughout and maintain operations across industries “so that we don’t have to return to shutting down 12 | DECEMBER2020
businesses.” In the presentation to the GHRA Members, Rhodes pointed out two solid pillars that are necessary before moving forward to the Rapid Testing and Surveillance section. It is important to note that these are vital for raising awareness and sharing the information, as well as training and deliberate planning within the workplace. She explained how Health and Safety Protocols and Education and Training begins with a Guam Safe Certification for basic requirements, best practices, and ‘comprehensive Guam universal health and safety protocols’. Additionally, when she discussed risk assessment and containment management, she pointed to businesses creating and/or updating pandemic plans, contact tracing protocols, engineering and admin controls, workplace modifications, cleaning and disinfecting protocols, crisis communication plan, re-opening and closure plan, and self-auditing and inspection. Rhodes emphasized it is “really self-policing so that we can help scale up businesses to create these mitigation strategies so that they can independently work on this so that should Public Health come on site they already have all their information and plans in place,” and that businesses are practicing their plans successfully. Though the plan is in its infancy, there is opportunity to grow it and with it. If it’s not in the cards right now, look into building your own response and mitigation plans based on the CISC template. Martinez stressed that the CISC response plan mentioned earlier is meant to promote a safer and protected workforce and can be tailored to fit any organization. What it means for us It takes a sense of not knowing and uncertainty to really spark a change. Salas stated, “To expect change, we have to change ourselves.” It is also a matter of making sure there is work for the people of Guam, and ensuring there is a way that businesses across industries can bounce back to stimulate the economy safely. Salas stated that it truly was unprecedented times, “watching the evolution of restrictions,...nobody knew what to expect with all the shutdowns and quarantines,” and there really was not a way to plan for how to work in a pandemic. “We need to get back to work and not interrupt the progress,” he began. “[The plan] is a guideline where we can do that and follow the government guidelines.” Martinez added, “The most important take-away for GCA members is the ability to self-police our industry and take a proactive approach to mitigating and monitoring the spread…” He added that the CISC template that is available for the membership is malleable for their individual business. “I think every company should have their own plans tailored to their specific operations,”
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he started. “The template is written, so that it can be tailored to each individual company.” He emphasized it is more important to execute and follow the plan. “It’s not just a written policy document, it’s a working document that requires action to ensure its effectiveness in protecting our employees from the spread of any disease.” He encouraged the GCA membership to adopt the CISC plan or develop their own plans, which he stated “is already a requirement of the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) in order for contractors to continue work on their projects.” Needless to say, this is a safety and health issue. But, it’s also a livelihood issue. Salas, who is also a Safety Committee Member of the Guam Contractors Association, pointed out how the plan was formulated to ensure preventive control, including basic requirements for companies to stay open, move forward after the pandemic, and protect employees and families. At its very core, the response and mitigation plan is focused on the safety of employees and their families. Families still need to put food on the table. They need to keep roofs over their heads. They need to keep the lights on. And unfortunately, the pandemic relief will be gone soon. Not everyone in a household has a paycheck. Salas stated that looking at the bigger picture, with tourism at a standstill, the future of the economy seems bleak. He added that we need to look at what industries we have now, so when we do come out of this pandemic, there is something sturdy on which we can rebuild. He went on to say that overall the plans give us a faster way to open up safely, while also drawing on the family dynamic of this island; that “we’re pulling together” for the future to help one another.
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Salas began, “I think we’re at the point where we’ve become a little complacent and desensitized by the numbers we keep seeing.” To date there have been 7,052 officially reported cases, according to the Joint Information Center release on December 10, 2020. As of press time, there were 115 deaths related to this virus. Those 115 families who won’t be able to celebrate the holidays with their loved one who passed away. He added, “We started this pandemic with one person, and it was a span of weeks until the 2nd...now we have 115 deaths.” Salas stated, “These aren’t just people, they represent families.” Maybe we have to face the reality our community will never go back to what was considered ‘normal’. That in the grand scheme of things, for all of us to live, work, and share as closely to what he had before, it takes reexamining the way we interact with one another now, how we share, what we share, and we begin to realize that ‘living in unprecedented times’ is no longer an excuse to not plan ahead, see the ripple effect of our actions or inactions, or take for granted the people and time we have with them. Sometimes instead of experiencing the unprecedented, we have to set the precedent - we are living in those times now.
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DECEMBER2020 | 13
MILITARY NEWS
CONSTRUCTION NEWS BULLETIN
SMALL BIZ NOTES NAVFAC Marianas awarded about $17.9M in contracts through November on which Small Business (SB) concerns may participate as prime or subcontractors. Of that amount, about $11.7M was awarded to SB concerns to provide a variety of products and services on Guam. Socio-economic breakdown of the SB awards are: - $8.1M - Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) - $6.9M - HUBZone Small Business (HZSB) - $343K - Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) - $1.3M - Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) The sum of the figures above exceed the overall SB awards of $11.7M because some SB concerns qualify for multiple socio-economic categories. Significant SB awards in November:
• Pacific Federal Management, Inc. was awarded about $3.2M to provide grounds maintenance and tree trimming services on Naval Base Guam. • Modern International, Inc. was awarded about $801K to perform HVAC repairs on Naval Base Guam.
• Landscape Management Systems, Inc. was awarded about $2M for the lease of vehicles and equipment on Naval Base Guam. • Guahan Waste Control Inc. was awarded about $749K for solid waste management services at Andersen Air Force Base.
Source: Federal Procurement Data System – Next Generation (FPDS-NG)
5 WAYS TO INCREASE CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES The current pandemic has been a challenge for the business community and we must adjust to the “new normal.” Face-to-face communication has been replaced by virtual meetings, email, and other electronic means. Despite the challenges, construction contractors, suppliers, and service providers are always looking for potential contract opportunities. How often have you heard, “Company X is so lucky to get that contract” or “Company X has so much work, they can afford to choose what work they’ll keep and what they can subcontract out.” Chances are, Company X does not sit around in an office waiting for contracts to magically appear, they: 1. Keep their profiles updated in the SBA’s Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) site. - Contracting personnel typically go to the DSBS site first when conducting market research for new requirements. - Prime contractors also utilize the site to find potential subcontractors. - List all work (as a prime/sub, on/off base, government/private sector); it’s all experience. Suppliers and service providers list their customers/clients.
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2. Consider subcontracting if they do not have past performance. - Subcontracts build experience and past performance. - It’s very difficult to win a prime contract without past performance. 3. Develop a website if they don't have one. - A simple site is all that is necessary. - Insert a Capabilities Statement that can be downloaded/printed out. 4. Attend PTAC workshops and become a client. - PTAC workshops are geared towards getting a better shot at government contracts; e.g. where to find federal opportunities (FBO, NECO, VetBiz, etc.), responding to RFPs/RFQs and sources sought notices, marketing to the federal government, how to create a great capabilities statement. 5. Market themselves. - Join trade organizations; e.g. Guam Contractors Association (GCA), Guam Chamber of Commerce (GCoC), Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), Guam Society of Professional Engineers (GSPE). - Attend membership meetings and networking events, mixers, etc. when pandemic restrictions ease up.
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SMALL BUSINESS NOTES
join our SB Community! • The GCA Small Business Committee supports small business members of the association to ensure their voices are heard and needs are met within GCA capabilities.
L-R: James Martinez, Joe Roberto, Adam Baron, Bill Bernardo, Theresa Crisostomo, Tom Roberto, Jaylene Kent, Gerardine Mendiola, Jane Ray, Philip Leddy, Ken Lujan.
• Do you have an issue or concern that we might be able to assist with? • Do you have an idea or suggestion that may benefit our small business community?
HELP US HELP YOU BY JOINING US AT OUR MONTHLY MEETINGS OR CONTACT: Lucia Wood (Chair) Theresa Crisostomo (Vice-Chair)
(671) 777-8425 lucia.wood@aptim.com (671) 588-5972 theresac@jwsguam.com
GUAM PTAC FREE Live Webinars 12/23 2020
12/30 2020
Service Contract Act The Service Contract Act (SCA) requires contractors and subcontractors performing services on prime contracts in excess of $2,500 to pay service employees prevailing wages. We will discuss the details of the SCA and how contractors can stay in compliance.
Buy American Act The Buy American Act can be frustrating for government contractors. The Guam PTAC will discuss the BAA and offer some guidance on how to stay in compliance.
The Guam Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is offering FREE webinars to the public for December 2020. Webinars run from 10am-11:30am and will be conducted via Zoom. Links to the live webinar and the webinar evaluation will be emailed to all registered attendees 15 minutes before the start of the webinar. Register at: guamptac.ecenterdirect.com
FREE Live Webinars for December 2020 For more information, contact the Guam PTAC at (671) 735-2552 or visit Every Thursday in December! www.guamptac.com
Guam SBDC Training Schedule GUAM: SHRM - Managing HR from a Small Business Perspective Friday, December 18, 2020 8:30am – 11:30am Register at: pisbdcn.ecenterdirect.com/events/ For more information, contact: (671) 735-2590 Like Us On Facebook
This seminar will offer insights on managing the human element of owning a small business. It will cover a range of HR related topics from conducting employee performance evaluation to handling complains and addressing issues dealing with employees. It will also offer tools and resources for small business to deal with HR in a more manageable manner to avoid issues. Other compliance topics to include Record Keeping, Disciplinary Actions, and Terminations.
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DECEMBER2020 | 15
NAWIC NEWS
CONSTRUCTION NEWS BULLETIN
NAWIC Guam Chapter 381, a non-profit organization chartered in March 2012 core purpose is to enhance the success of women in the construction industry by providing support and to serve as a valuable resource to help advance or start their careers in construction, by building their technical skills, growing networks and inspiring leadership. The 2020 year has been challenging year, to say the least, but the year’s trials and tribulations has reinforced our appreciation and gratitude to the women who started this organization. This month we are featuring four of our key and founding members who started our Chapter, a professional organization dedicated to our island’s women in construction, our very on “NAWIC Angels”. Ms. Jaylene Kent, the Founder and Chartering President of NAWIC Guam Chapter #381, is a tall, slender, fair-haired woman who is a force to be reckoned with. She is no “dumb blonde.” Jaylene has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, a flooring contractor’s license in the state of California, and has obtained the NAWIC NEF Construction Industry Technician (CIT) certification. She is the owner and President of Isla Coatings & Roofing Supply, a company established in 1999 which specializes in corrosion control and waterproofing. Their mission statement, “To be the Best Coatings Company on the Planet,” reflects the degree of dedication and commitment that Jaylene embodies.
Jaylene Kent, Ph.D. C.I.T. President, Isla Coating & Roofing Supply Written by: Peggy Denney, Program Coordinator at i*Recycle Guam
After working with a small group of women in the construction field and devoting innumerable hours soliciting the support of a wide variety of organizations on Guam, NAWIC Guam Chapter #381 was chartered in March 2012 with 82 members. Jaylene’s desire to establish NAWIC on Guam stemmed from her membership in NAWIC #99 in Santa Clara, California, which as a professional organization provided her with opportunities to enhance
Ms. Jessica M. Barrett is a Chartering member of NAWIC Guam, who joined the organization “to learn from and foster relationships with women in the construction industry, to work together on issues that we encounter, to lend [her] experience and work alongside some of the smartest and strongest women [ ], who know how to get things done!”. She also served as a Board member and was our President back in 2015-2016. Notably, in 2014 she earned the distinction of being the first Chamorro Woman Certified Plumber on Guam and is the President and RME of Barrett Ent. Inc. DBA Barrett Plumbing & Pumping, her family’s business where she was first introduced to her trade. Jessica M. Barrett President, Barrett Ent Inc. DBA Barrett Plumbing & Pumping Written by: Selina Ashland, General Manager at Island Equipment Company
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Inspired by her paternal grandma, former Senator Concepcion Barrett and guided by a deep-rooted sense of integrity instilled by her parents, Maxine and Jack, Jessica finds “the greatest satisfaction [in] seeing the results and fruits of our, our as in [her] team, efforts. The newness
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her own career in construction, create her own construction business, and network with other women in construction to enhance their own success in the industry. And this was precisely what Jaylene wished to create on Guam, a professional organization for women in construction, which up to this point did not exist, that would promote women coming into the construction field and assist in the professional development of those women already in the industry. Over the years, NAWIC Guam has had its challenges and growing pains, but thanks to the amazing leadership of Jaylene Kent and the early founding members, the organization still continues to strive to provide the professional development opportunities and networking that is the heart of this organization. Jaylene, who loves to dive, hike and travel, has made her mark on Guam and continues to foster and promote NAWIC Guam #381 to positively impact women in the construction industry, the construction industry in general, and ultimately the island of Guam.
that each day brings, the collaboration and brain storming to find workable, sensible solutions to challenging issues.” Driven by her passion for her trade and hopes her sons freely choose a like path, as well as other women because “plumbing is a trade whose services are needed everywhere and every day.” Something you may not know about Jessica is her work with the circus! To clarify, not a literal circus but when asked, ‘What is something about [herself] that not many people know about?’ she jokes that she feels like a “ringmaster” as she’s “trying to get a handle on life”, which let’s be honest can feel like a circus sometimes. Metaphorical joke aside like a modern-day ringmaster guiding and directing the show’s acts all the while being an integral and involved part of it, Jessica, too, actively guides and has directed our organization and continues to be an integral and involved part of it and the construction industry on our island.
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dent-Elect for NAWIC Guam Chapter #381 in 2012. She had served several years as part of the organization’s Board of Directors since then. Her contribution and dedication to the organization had since become a beacon to the women in construction.
Ann Marie Pelobello, CHST President, OSH Solutions Guam Written by Maiko Nakamura, Project Coordinator at Pacific Federal Management, Inc. Ann Marie Pelobello is one of NAWIC Guam’s chartering member back in 2011. Shortly after joining NAWIC, she was elected as the Chartering Presi-
Ann Marie has over 20 years of professional accomplishment in the construction industry. She is an authorized OSHA trainer for both the general and construction industry and is a certified Construction, Health and Safety Technician (CHST). When asked where she drew her inspiration from that sparked her interest to be part of this industry, she mentioned that her father was a big influence on her while growing up. At a young age, she was exposed to her father conducting electrical works, carpentry, welding, and painting and was always by his side. Having a family of her own, alongside her husband, she knows that nothing is more important than being able to come back home safely to the people that you love after a long day’s work. With this in mind, Ann Marie had always
Ms. Peggy Denney is one of NAWIC’s chartering members. I first met Peggy in 2017 at a Black Construction Supervisor meeting when she spoke to our group about recycling and waste diversion. I remember thinking at the time, wow, this lady is passionate about recycling.
Margaret “Peggy” J. Denney Denney Environmental Consulting Program Administrator, i*Recycle Guam Written by Christen Clark, C.I.T. Project Controls Engineer at Black Construction
Originally from Phoenix, Peggy came to Guam in 1979 and worked as a court reporter before going back to school at University of Guam to major in Agriculture and minor in Biology. It was here that her passion developed as she helped create a club to promote recycling and delved into the benefits of healthy soils and composting. Having worked in a variety of roles from landscaping to the EPA, she has truly dedicated herself to the betterment of the island by continually seeking new ways to deconstruct, recycle, re-use, and re-purpose materials. It was this eye for minimizing waste that really brought her to NAWIC, as she realized the amount of usable materials from construction sites that are lost to the landfill.
NAWIC NEWS
held a strong advocacy for safety. This has led her to found her own business and is the President of OSH Solutions Guam. She spends most of her time dedicated towards safety training and certification and had recently celebrated OSH Solutions Guam’s 10 years in business last September 2020. Ann Marie understands that in the construction, one should not wait for things to happen when you can take the matters in your own hands by being well-informed and well-trained for the situation. According to her “Safety is a condition and expectation that we do not delay until it’s feasible to look into.” As evident by her passion through OSH Solutions and NAWIC, she had become an avenue for other contractors to build, create, and improve their own safety culture. Upholding only the highest value and importance of safety in construction, Ann Marie had paved the way for many other companies in Guam to share the same values that lead to successful operations. Although Ann Marie share that she used to always follow her father around, there is no doubt that she is a woman that’s meant to lead.
Peggy joined NAWIC with the purpose of promoting waste diversion at construction sites. She has since served NAWIC as a Director, Vice President, President (two terms) and now as Immediate Past President. She most recently has taken on the role of President of Guam’s Habitat for Humanity and is Vice President of the GAIN board. Her primary employment is as administrator of the i*recycle program, and she is also a member of SWANA with a certification in Recycling Systems Management, has obtained the LEED GA, and is also the Board Secretary for GSWA. This Queen of the Compost Pile (from her email pegqcp1- Peg Queen of the Compost Pile) leads with the vigor of an Arizona Wildcat.
All women working in construction are eligible for membership, including women builders in the trades, project management, marketing, administration, and executive leadership. Women in related industries who work on construction related business, such as finance, legal, insurance and other complementary industries, are welcome as well! Want to know more about NAWIC Guam or join our organization? Contact us at nawicguam@gmail.com or DM us on Facebook (Nawic Guam) or Instagram (@nawicguam). Like Us On Facebook
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DECEMBER2020 | 17
NEWSLINE
CONSTRUCTION NEWS BULLETIN
NEWSLINE ABC Celebrates Career Technical Education During Apprenticeship Week Apprenticeships are a key part of Associated Builders and Contractors’ commitment to an all-of-the-above approach for developing a safe, skilled and productive workforce that meets the current and future needs of the construction industry. During the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 8-14, ABC celebrates the value of earn-while-you-learn opportunities for women, minorities, veterans, students, non-graduates and people laid off during the pandemic or seeking new careers, re-entry to the workforce or a second chance. “Recruiting, educating and upskilling our workforce is a strategic goal for ABC, and an essential component of supporting our most important asset—our people,” said Greg Sizemore, ABC’s vice president of health, safety, environment and workforce development. “Apprenticeships are a key part of the education contractor members provide to their employees to ensure the industry is continually adapting, innovating and ready to get to work. From schools and skyscrapers to hospitals and data centers, ABC builds the people who build America.”
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Despite the economic upheaval caused by the COVID-19 recession, 40% of ABC member contractors are hiring, according to the latest ABC Construction Confidence Index. Although many construction projects were paused or canceled as the recession reverberated through state and local economies, member contractors responded quickly to the challenges, changing how work is planned and executed, retooling safety and health protocols to protect workers on jobsites, stepping up to help construct or convert existing buildings into temporary emergency hospitals and aiding recovery efforts after natural disasters. With a variety of opportunities for people from all backgrounds and education levels delivered through 800 ABC education programs at 1,400 locations nationwide, the construction industry features careers with low barriers to entry, infinite opportunities for growth and competitive salaries. ABC delivers construction education through innovative and flexible learning models, such as just-in-time task training, competency-based progression, work-based learning and industry-recognized apprenticeships in more than 50 professions—plus
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more than 300 U.S. Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship programs across 20 different occupations. In 2019 alone, ABC members invested $1.5 billion to educate and upskill more than 1.1 million course attendees in craft, leadership and safety education to advance their careers in commercial and industrial construction. In September, ABC was awarded the Pledge to America’s Workers Presidential Award at a White House ceremony for its achievements in workforce education and fulfilling its 2018 pledge to recruit and upskill at least 500,000 workers by 2023. Visit workforce.abc.org to learn more.
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SBA and Treasury Announce Simpler PPP Forgiveness for Loans of $50,000 or Less On Oct. 8, the U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, released a simpler loan forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program loans of $50,000 or less. This action streamlines the PPP forgiveness process to provide financial and administrative relief to America’s smallest businesses while also ensuring sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars. “The PPP has provided 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion to American small businesses, providing critical economic relief and supporting more than 51 million jobs,” said Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. “Today’s action streamlines the forgiveness process for PPP borrowers with loans of $50,000 or less and thousands of PPP lenders who worked around the
clock to process loans quickly,” he continued. “We are committed to making the PPP forgiveness process as simple as possible while also protecting against fraud and misuse of funds. We continue to favor additional legislation to further simplify the forgiveness process.” “Nothing will stop the Trump Administration from supporting great American businesses and our great American workers. The Paycheck Protection Program has been an overwhelming success and served as a historic lifeline to America’s hurting small businesses and tens of millions of workers. The new form introduced today demonstrates our relentless commitment to using every tool in our toolbelt to help small businesses and the banks that have participated in this program,”
said SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza. “We are continuing to ensure that small businesses are supported as they recover.” SBA and Treasury have also eased the burden on PPP lenders, allowing lenders to process forgiveness applications more swiftly. SBA began approving PPP forgiveness applications and remitting forgiveness payments to PPP lenders for PPP borrowers on Oct. 2, 2020. SBA will continue to process all PPP forgiveness applications in an expeditious manner. Those interested can apply on the SBA government website. More information and instructions on applying can also be found on the SBA website.
OSHA Issues COVID-19 Guidance on Ventilation On Nov. 4, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a new guidance document on ventilation in the workplace. OSHA recommends, “Employers should work with a heating, ventilation and air conditioning professional to consider steps to optimize building ventilation. An HVAC professional can ensure that the ventilation system is operating as intended.”
20 | DECEMBER2020
The guidance document also provides tips on how employers can help reduce the risk of employee exposure to COVID-19, which includes: • Encourage workers to stay home if they are sick; • Ensure all HVAC systems are fully functional; • Remove or redirect personal fans to prevent blowing air from one worker to another; • Use HVAC system filters with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting
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Value rating of 13 or higher, where feasible; • Increase the HVAC system’s outdoor air intake; • Consider using portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) fan/filtration systems to increase clean air; • Make sure exhaust fans in restrooms are fully functional, operating at maximum capacity, and are set to remain on; and • Encourage workers to report any safety and health concerns.
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