Panama Canal Awards Expansion Program Manager Contract

After a thorough evaluation of the received proposals, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) awarded the Program Manager contract to CH2M Hill last Wednesday. The leading full-service global firm and number one program management firm in the United States will assist the ACP in the management of numerous contracts including those for design and construction of the two post-Panamax lock structures under its Expansion Program.

The procurement process began June 1, when the ACP released its request for proposals seeking a top-tier firm with a strong reputation in program management and with experience working on a variety of major international construction projects. On July 17, the ACP began reviewing the three bid submissions from CH2M Hill, Parsons Brinkerhoff and URS Holdings, Inc. The winning proposal was selected based on the best value and not the lowest price; additionally, each firm was also required to give an oral presentation. Over the course of a month, the ACP conducted careful evaluation and review to ensure that the chosen firm would best meet the project’s needs.

The ACP Board of Directors approved the use of an integrated program management model, wherein the Authority will designate tasks between its own staff and CH2M Hill. The firm will begin work as early as next week and will interface with both design and construction teams. Moreover, the bulk of the Program Manager duties will focus on the new locks contracts while also interfacing with other contracts. Expansion will build a new lane of traffic along the Panama Canal through the construction of a new set of locks, which will double tonnage capacity and allow the transit of much longer, wider ships through the waterway.