KABATA workshop draws over 100 companies

The Knik Arm Bridge construction projects seems to be drawing strong interest. About 100 participants attended a pre-statement of qualifications workshop late last month to get a feel for the work involved.

The meeting, given by the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority, KABATA, discussed the project, the private public partnership (referred to as P3) economic model for financing, and the procurement timeline, according to a written release.

Representatives from the largest national and international transportation development companies and several Alaska firms attended.

The Knik Arm Crossing launched a formal procurement process using a P3 model. P3 financing allows governmental agencies to deliver significant infrastructure with limited upfront public funds while sharing project risk with the private sector. 

KABATA is utilizing a P3 model in which the private partner provides finance, design, construction, operation and maintenance in exchange for periodic availability payments. An availability payment is a predetermined and stable payment over the lifespan of the concession. 

“The P3 method of procurement has been used throughout the nation to construct and operate a variety of projects, from municipal parking garages to toll roads,” KABATA Executive Director Andrew Niemiec, said in a written release.

The controversial project would span nearly 3 miles, connecting Anchorage with the Port MacKenzie area in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Estimated cost is $700 million.

The request for qualifications was released July 13 after a June workshop in New York City. Statements of qualifications, in response to the RFQ, are due Sept. 15.

An evaluation process will result in a short list of qualified teams in mid-October. Changes to the procurement schedule will be by addendum via the state of Alaska’s online public notice system at http://notes4.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf.

The Knik Arm Crossing received a finding of “no jeopardy” to the endangered beluga whale population by the National Marine Fishery Service in November 2010 and a record of decision from the Federal Highway Administration in December 2010.

For a list of SOQ Workshop attendees, go to: http://www.knikarmbridge.com/p3updates.php#rfq.