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The Commonwealth Ports Authority board of directors unanimously approved a concession grant for De’Cafree Saipan, choosing the café as the concessionaire at the Saipan Commuter Airport, which has not yet officially opened.
The vote took place on Wednesday afternoon, June 4, at the CPA meeting room after CPA executive director Esther Ada informed the board that three companies picked up packets during the Request for Proposal period. However, she said only two companies submitted a proposal, which were sent to an evaluation committee.
Ada clarified that De’Cafree would only offer food and drinks as part of their services. The business currently has a cafe at the Townhouse Shopping Center in Chalan Kanoa. The CPA will notify them of the results of the vote today.
Marianas Press also inquired about the status of the former DFS Group concession at the international airport terminals.
Ada sent the following statement to MP: “The Commonwealth Ports Authority (CPA) issued two separate invitations to bid for the retail space previously occupied by DFS Saipan. Despite several potential vendors picking up the bid packages, we did not receive any formal responses. In light of this, CPA plans to issue a new temporary invitation for bids, with the expectation that this revised package will generate greater interest and responses.
The term for the concession under this new invitation will be one year, as CPA intends to subsequently issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a longer-term concession, aimed at attracting vendors for an extended period. In the interim, two local vendors, who were part of the previous DFS concession, are actively conducting business in the retail space.”
She added, “Regarding the commuter airport, we are working through details, including the awarding of the retail concession and we hope to complete those items and then announce the opening of the commuter terminal.”
Story by Thomas Manglona II
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