Jacksonville District Hosts Industry Day in Puerto Rico

By Jennifer Garcia

USACE, Jacksonville District

March 8, 2023

More than 50 local, national, and international construction companies benefited from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District, Industry Day held this week at Colegio de Ingenieros y Agrimensores de Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Lyan García Beltrán, Senior Project Manager of the Antilles Integrated Program Office at Jacksonville District confirmed the participation of these businesses and said the event was a success.

Maj. Jesús Soto, Deputy District Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District provides opening remarks at the Puerto Rico Big 3 Industry Day. The event focused on discussing Río Puerto Nuevo Flood Control Project, Supplemental Contract 3 and provided updates for the Supplemental Puerto Rico Civil Work Construction projects.
(USACE photo by Jennifer Garcia)

"Different from previous years, this time, we held the event during the Sources Sought period of the solicitation process, which sparks more interests among the companies. We also invited material and equipment suppliers, and materials testing laboratories. Through this initiative we provided vital information to this sector and a forum for companies of different sizes and scopes to interact. We encourage these companies to come together and work in partnership to help each other meet the requirements of these construction projects," explained García Beltrán.

During the event, USACE officials discussed Río Puerto Nuevo Flood Control Project, Supplemental Contract 3. This contract focuses on improvements to the channel bottom and walls. The presentation also included updates about the Supplemental Puerto Rico Civil Works Construction projects of Río Puerto Nuevo, Río de la Plata, and Río Grande de Arecibo. USACE representatives briefed attendees on the agency’s solicitation and contracting process, offered a seminar on the validation process for material testing laboratories, and met with contractors for capabilities briefing sessions.

Brenda Calvente, Chief of the Puerto Rico Integrated Programs Office was enthusiastic about the outcome of the event, USACE’s exposure among industry companies and attendance. "We met many contractors who are interested in participating in the program. We also saw good integration between local, national, and foreign contractors. Our interest is that they know each other and create working relationships between them. Historically, large companies tend to be the main contractors in large-scale contracts such as the Río Puerto Nuevo project, whose cost exceeds $200 million. However, these projects require the help and service of local contractors. Coming to these events promotes partnerships among companies, “said Calvente.

The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District on the district’s website at www.saj.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleDistrict, Twitter at www.twitter.com/JaxStrong, and Instagram at www.instagram.com/jacksonvilledistrict.

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