CA Construction News Bulletin November 2022

Celebrating three decades on Guam

THETEAM THEDIRECTORS THEEDITORIALS

PRESIDENT

James Martinez Guam Contractors’ Association

CHAIRMAN & PAST CHAIRMAN

Bill Beery Tutujan Hill Group

VICE CHAIRMAN

Joe Roberto East Island Tinting

SECRETARY/TREASURER

Matthew Hunter Dylan Mechanical Construction Services

CONTRACTOR

DIRECTORS:

Don McCann Black Construction Corporation

Kathleen David Pacific Rim Constructors

Brian Holm Hensel Phelps

Albert Smith

SmithBridge Guam

Soraya Vongjalorn Vertex Guam

AJ Perez Hawaiian Rock Products

ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS: Mark Cruz

MidPac Far East

Jose Garcia First Hawaiian Bank

Camilo Lorenzo Matson Navigation

Geri Leon Guerrero

Guam Contractor’s Association (GCA) in conjunction with Adztech and Public Relations, Inc. publishes the Construc tion News Bulletin (CNB) monthly. Reproduction of materials appearing in this publication is strictly forbidden without written permission by GCA.

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.

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.

Distributed to GCA members or can be obtained by stopping by the Guam Contractors’ Association office located at 506 Mariner Ave., Barrigada, Guam 96913

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

Postmaster. Send address changes to Guam Contractors’ Association, located at 506 Mariner Ave., Barrigada, Guam 96913

Adztech Advertising and PR Guam Contractors Association

PUBLISHER: James Martinez

PRODUCTION TEAM

LEAD: Geri Leon Guerrero

AD SALES: Jaceth Duenas Alyssa Roces

PRODUCTION: Alyssa Roces Jason Davis Christopher “Taco” Rowland

PHOTOGRAPHY: Jaceth Duenas Christopher “Taco” Rowland

EDITOR: Adztech

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Joanna Rupley Sablan Joanne Messier R.D. Gibson Rodney “RJ” Ricarte

GCA STAFF: Desiree Lizama Elaine Gogue Francine Taitague Trevor Cruz

COVER: GCA Annual Execellence in Construction & Contractor of the Year event was held in person for the first time since COVID. The Overall EIC Winner was Black Construction and first time entry DZSP 21 won the Contractor of the Year award.

SAME GUAM

14-16 NOVEMBER 2022

SAME Guam Industry Forum Dusit Thani Guam Resort www.guamindustryforum.com SAMEgif22@gmail.com 16 NOVEMBER 2022 43rd SAME Charlie Corn Scholarship Golf Tournament Starts Golf Resort *NOTE* No General Membership Meeting for November and December SAME NATIONAL 27 29 MARCH 2023

SAME Capital Week Featuring the DOD & Federal Agency Program Briefings

02-04 MAY 2023 Joint Engineer Training Conference & Expo San Antonio, TX

STEM CAMPS

World class camps that feature a very impressive record of producing thousands of engineers and STEM leaders for almost 20 years. https://classic.same.org/stemcamps

AMAZON SMILE

Visit smile.amazon.com, search Society of American Military Engineers Foundation. These small donations through purchases you make on Amazon do add up.

BECOME A MEMBER classic.same.org/guam sameguampost@gmail.com Find us at our social media accounts @sameguampost

For the past few months, S.A.M.E. Guam Post has been action packed with successful meetings and events. November will be no different with our two signature Post events the Guam Industry Forum and the 43rd Annual Charlie Corn Scholarship Golf Tournament. We thank all attendees, volunteers, and sponsors. Highlights of these events will soon be in our December newsletter.

PREVIOUS EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

SEPTEMBER GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Special presenter: John Benavente, General Manager of Guam Power Authority (GPA) Guam Hilton Resort & Spa, Chuchuko Room

OCTOBER GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Special presenter: Thomas Cruz, PE, Assistant General Manager of Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA) Guam Hilton Resort & Spa, Chuchuko Room

PUMPKIN DROP

George Washington High School and Guam High School 31 October 2022

Guam SBDC Training Schedule

On Friday, November 11, 2022, NAWIC Guam celebrat ed it’s 10 year chartering anniversary. To make this stand out, not only did we invite supporting companies to join us, but we also introduced a different way to strengthen our Construction community. This year for the first time, NAWIC Guam allowed companies to sponsor students in the industry to sit at their tables and talk to them about the industry. Working with UOG, GCC, and GCATA, we were able to get sponsors for 22 students to enjoy a night out learning about the industry they are studying for in a relaxed atmosphere celebrating Guam’s unique ability to support a faction of the construction community considered to be minimalized in the rest of the country. We at NAWIC Guam are proud of our heritage and culture of inafa mao’lek. We hope to broaden this to reach out to companies to have them sponsor students and women in the industry to be a part of NAWIC where they can be mentored early and grow into the fantastic individuals we know they all are. Thank you again to all the compa nies who have supported us in our endeavors.

JOIN NAWIC GUAM CHAPTER 381 TODAY! 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). www.nawic.org

ABC Calls on Supreme Court to Reverse Intentional Destruction of Employer Property Case

On Nov. 8, ABC joined the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace and six other employer organizations in filing an  amicus brief before the U.S. Supreme Court to request that the court reverse the judgment of the Washington Supreme Court in Glacier Northwest, Inc v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The Washington Supreme Court’s decision stated that the National Labor Relations Board preempts state tort suits, allowing unions and their supporters to intentionally destroy an employer’s property while claiming to be engaged in protected concerted activity.

The ABC-led CDW issued the following  statement, “There is no federal law that gives unions or their members a free pass for intentionally destroying someone else’s property. Unions, like everyone else, need to settle disputes

within the confines of the law. Without property protections, local communities, workers, and businesses will suffer the collateral damage that will inevitably arise as businesses are harmed and potentially crushed by vandalism.”

Background:

In June, ABC joined CDW and other employer organizations in filing an  amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court to request review of the Washington Supreme Court’s decision in Glacier Northwest.

The brief states that the decision “leaves employers without a remedy for the intentional destruction of their private property” and “encourages the intentional destruction of employer property.”

The brief also states that the decision “upsets the balance of power in labor disputes in favor of unions willing to engage in lawless acts and against law-abiding businesses,” and will result in harm to local communities and workers. The CDW and the other organizations argued that the Washington state ruling conflicts with past U.S. Supreme Court precedents and rulings issued by multiple federal circuits and state high courts.

On Oct. 3, the U.S. Supreme Court  announced it will hear the Glacier case,  which will determine if employers can sue unions over damage to their property.

Learn more about the case proceedings on the U.S. Supreme Court website.

on IRS/Treasury

On Oct. 31, an ABC-led coalition of 22 construction and energy groups sent a letter to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service requesting a 60-day extension of the Nov. 4 deadline in response to their request for comments regarding implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act. Specifically, the agencies requested comments on Davis-Bacon and government-regis tered apprenticeship requirements for applicable clean energy construction projects. A previous extension request by ABC has received no response.

The IRA, opposed by ABC, was signed into law on Aug. 16, 2022, and provides over $369 billion in tax credits for the construction of solar, wind, hydrogen,

carbon sequestration, electric vehicle charging stations and other clean energy projects. Developers/taxpayers can receive a bonus tax credit 500% greater than a baseline tax credit of 6%, but this is conditioned on requirements that project contractors pay Davis-Ba con prevailing wages and utilize apprentices enrolled in govern ment-registered apprenticeship programs. This new policy is an unprecedented expansion of Davis-Ba con and registered apprenticeship requirements/enticements onto private construction projects via the federal tax code.

Treasury and IRS are seeking feedback on prevailing wage, apprenticeship, domestic content and energy commu

nity requirements under the IRA. The wage and apprenticeship provisions apply to projects that begin construc tion 60 days after Treasury has published relevant guidance with respect to the requirements. It has been reported that Treasury intends to issue guidance by the end of the year, so this aspect of the IRA may be in effect as early as March 2023.

ABC urges members to submit comments by the Nov. 4 deadline on this important issue. Please reach out to Michael Altman at altman@abc.org with any questions. Learn more about these new requirements in Newsline, in this publication from Littler Mendelson and from ABC’s webinar on implemen tation of the IRA.

GCA Employee Health Insurance Open Enrollment

By Rodney “RJ” Ricarte

The Guam Contractors Association Employee Health Insurance open season enrollment is October 24 – November 25. You may have already participated in the GCA Employer Group Diana and Open Enrollment Presentation that was held on Thursday, November 10, at the Hilton. If you didn’t, please contact me.

The TakeCare team works everyday to make enrollment simple and easy for GCA members.

How Can You Enroll Your Employees For The GCA Health Insurance?

You should have received an email containing the TakeCare Insurance 2023 Proposal and Open Enrollment Information from your account executive. Please follow the instructions and return to your account executive. If you have any questions, please call your account representative or me.

Health Fairs for Your Employees’ Health

In an effort to improve the health of the community, TakeCare will be hosting health fairs on Saturday, November 5, 12, 19, 26 and December 3 and 10 from 11am to 5pm at the Micronesia Mall. You will be able to learn more about TakeCare's 2023 health plan offerings and Wellness programs. This health fair includes free health screenings by FHP Health Center, provider network and gym fitness partner information, and much more. We hope to see you there!

The TakeCare Advantage For Your Employees

With TakeCare, GCA member employees have access to an extensive list of participating providers, both on and off island. TakeCare's growing network of contracted providers in Guam include Guam Memorial Hospital, Guam Regional Medical City, Guam SDA Clinic, D.r Shieh, IHP, and AMC; in Saipan; and in Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and New Zealand. Plus an expanded network of medical specialist, practitioners and facilities in the Continental U.S. and Hawaii through the MultiPlan network, which has more than 1.2 million providers.

Preferred Access to the FHP Health Center

GCA employees have preferred access to the FHP Health Center. FHP features a roster of highly trained, credentialed, well-known and respected community-based physicians and professional staff. In addition, the center's modern technology and equipment, supports medical services and expertise for its patients at exceptional Centers of Care. These centers include: Urgent Care, Full ServiceRadiology (MRI, CT Scan, Digital Mammography, Ultrasound, and X-Ray - Certified by the American College of Radiology), Primary Care (Pediatrics, Adult Medicine, and Women's Health), Occupational Health, Home Health and Hospice, a Cancer Center (Hematology/Oncology), as well as Dental and Vision Centers. In addition, FHP offers a convenient in-house full-service pharmacy, owned and operated by MegaDrug, and full service laboratory owned and operated by Diagnostic Laboratory Services (DLS).

The Wellness Center

The Wellness Center includes a full kitchen, and consultation and education rooms. Participants are able to register and schedule one-on-one, group classes, workshops, and consultations online. The programs focus on nutrition, diet, disease prevention, and disease management to improve the participant's health and well-being.

Thank you for your continued confidence in TakeCare. If you have any questions about open enrollment or the GCA employee health insurance, please contact me.

Rodney “RJ” Ricarte is the TakeCare account executive for GCA. He can be contacted at (671) 487-7121 or rodney.ricarte@takecareasia.com.

&

By: R.D. Gibson

For the last few years, we have discussed resiliency, looking obstacles dead in the face and pushing through it all; the supply chain issues, the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, whatever the island - and the world - has had to endure. Over the years, we have written about a can-do attitude and growth mindsets. We also highlight the giants in our community who set the bar continuously and exponentially high.

In our industry, we know that it is all about getting the job done safely, within budget, on-time, etc. But, sometimes we can forget, or sometimes don’t seem to realize, the mark our work leaves on the community. Some of these companies and projects that go up for Excellence in Construction and Contractor of the Year help ensure the security of our slice of paradise and nation in some capacity; sometimes they build facilities for housing and better opportunities; sometimes they work on projects that spur and promote other industries; more often than not they demonstrate the intrinsic desire to do excellent work for communities they live and believe in and love so deeply.

This year, the Guam Contractors Association is proud to announce and celebrate Black Construction Corporation for Excellence in Construction, and DZSP 21, LLC for Contractor of the Year!

Excellence in Construction - Black Construction Corporation

Black Construction Corporation is recognized for their ‘mega-project’ in the more than $100M category. They submitted their Guam International Airport Authority Terminal Building Structural Upgrade and Concourse Isolation Construction project for consideration for this year’s EIC award, which was awarded in 2016. In 2017, BCC was given the Notice to Proceed, and in 2018, another component was addedthe TSA Checkpoint Expansion.

The scope of work for the project included two critical components initially, which included the structural upgrade of the Guam International Airport Authority

terminal building to meet the IBC 2009 seismic code. The project narrative pointed to the seismic upgrade, which included the installation of 1,275 tons of structural steel and buckling restrained braces. This particular part of the project required extensive demolition throughout the existing facility.

Like most projects, there were some issues, obstacles, and difficulties, especially with how massive this upgrade project was. However, BCC worked with all parties and stakeholders to continuously move the project forward.

This project overall included over 140,000 Sq. Ft. of new construction and nearly 32,000 sq. ft. of renovation work at the airport. According to the scope of work packet,it included several notable features for the endeavor. One of which included the contract requiring BCC achieve AISC Certified Steel Erector status - “the first contractor do so in Guam and the Western Pacific.” Additionally, this project overall allows for increased international and domestic passenger traffic through the airport, which is essential for the growth of the tourism industry on the island.

Contractor of the Year - DZSP 21, LLC.

A Contractor of the Year is supposed to do more than just check off boxes on a criteria list. They need to embody excellence, determination, drive, safety, community, etcetera - not just in what they do and the projects they lead or take on, but in the roles they take on in the communities they serve, their commitment and responsibility to the environment and its sustainability, and their employees.

We look to companies, like DZSP 21, LLC as an example of the aforementioned tenets, and more. According to their application, the Limited Liability Company was “formed in January 2005 to perform the Base Operation Support Services Contract for military facilities” in Guam. Now

they have expanded those support services for compliant base operations in support of units at Naval Base Guam, Andersen Air Force Base, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, as well as their tenant unit organizations.

“The mission of DZSP 21 is to support the warfighter and to provide safe, clean and functional working and living environments for our valued customers,” it states in their COY application. For DZSP, it comes down to serving their customers with about $75M worth of goods and services annual from their business partners - 75-percent of which are local small businesses.

DZSP credits their success to the talents and energy of their employees. “We encourage creativity and innovation; support initiative and diligence; expect superior quality and excellent performance; and rely on teamwork and frequent communication to do our jobs well,” it stated in their application packet.

DZSP stated, “Our people are never satisfied with ‘good enough’ or even ‘excellent’;” And they continuously work on improving their services at all levels. This goes without saying why they were named Navy’s BOS Contractor of Choice. It isn’t merely a coincidence considering the relationships they have built throughout their nearly 17 years of operations. DZSP boasts a leadership team that optimizes project performance, creates an attractive work environment, ensures company outreach within the community, and creates a company culture committed to excellence, safety, mutual respect, teamwork, loyalty, and trust.

At its core, the key to DZSP’s success is its company’s teamwork; a synergy that emphasizes their company’s safety, health, and wellness, collaboration, growth, retention, environmental stewardship, community relationships, and desire to do good work for the community overall.

In all fairness, this Excellence in Construction and Contractor of the Year feature is always a bit daunting. Not daunting in the sense that there is not an endless list of information or accolades to cite, but what can be said about greatness that has not always been shared? This feature is a chance for us to look back at the excellence, dedication, commitment to safety, and everything else that goes into these two awards.

Now, we ask, where do we go from here? This truly cannot be the ending. Sure, we can begin another exposition in another saga, but what do we hope to learn from it? No longer are we living in unprecedented times; we have grown and learned from the last few years that our lives can change drastically. Even still these feature stories are always a treat to write because they are reminders that at the very heart of the Contractor of the Year and Excellence in Construction Awards is the spirit of our community, of the people who call Guam ‘home’, and work to build upon its greatness.

On behalf of the entire Guam Contractors Association membership, Inorabuena yan Si Yu’os Ma’åse to DZSP 21, LLC and Black Construction Corporation, this year’s Contractor of the Year and Excellence in Construction awardees respectively!

C.O.R.E SPONSOR - DIAMOND TakeCare Insurance Company, Inc

C.O.R.E SPONSOR - PLATINUM Matson Navigation

C.O.R.E SPONSOR - PLATINUM Hawaiian Rock Products

C.O.R.E SPONSOR - PLATINUM Hensel Phelps

GCA CHAMPION AWARD Eddie Cruz

STEP AWARD - PLATINUM Black Construction

STEP AWARD - GOLD Pacific Federal Management, Inc.

STEP AWARD - DIAMOND Hawaiian Rock Products

STEP AWARD - DIAMOND Agbayani Construction Corporation