Waterfront Utilities Upgrade – Public Works Center, Guam, M.I.
The work include the construction of new steam plant and the associated distribution lines, installation of demineralized water tank and fuel oil storage tank, packaged bilge oily waste treatment system with associated collection, transfer system and relief sewer lines, sewage lift stations, electrical primary underground distribution lines, electrical transformer stations, shore power outlet mounds, 480-volt secondary feeders, electrical distribution systems, fire 
alarm system and incidental related works. The work also include the demolition of existing power substations, shore power mounds and underground sewer installation.Black Construction performed all the electrical and mechanical installations and demolition works with the exception of the construction of new electrical duct line. The following work items were subcontracted to various specialty contractors:
- Construction of new building structures;
- Horizontal Directional Drilling at three locations;
- Painting works;
- Elastomeric roof application
- Wall exterior finish system; and
- Testing and commissioning of different systems.
Challenges encountered during construction include the following:
- Obstructions in trenching works due to unidentified underground installations. Actual construction was re-routed to complete the activities.
- Scheduling of service interruptions due to the busy schedule at the construction site. Frequent coordination meetings were held to address and successfully negotiate service interruptions./li>
Black Construction subcontracted the civil works for this project to an 8(a) contractor. The unsatisfactory performance by the civil subcontractor was main contributing factor to the satisfactory evaluation during construction. The inexperience of the subcontractor in performing works on military projects was very evident throughout the construction. It took Black a lot of time to give safety seminars and QC orientation to subcontractor’s personnel in order to improve their performance.
