The government of Jamaica is planning to relaunch the tender to seek a private sector partner for the long-term PPP concession project to redevelop the Norman Manley International Airport.

The government plans to re-issue a fresh formal request for qualifications in December 2016, according to a statement released by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on 25 October. The IFC is lead adviser to the government on the structuring and implementation of the PPP.

A previous attempt at finding a private sector partner for the project failed after the government did not receive binding bids from five shortlisted consortia for the airport PPP ahead of a 30 December 2015 deadline. As a result of which the government terminated the tender competition in January 2016.

Jamaica had issued a RFQ for the concession in March 2015 and shortlisted teams in April 2015. 

An IFC official told IJGlobal that the government remains committed to finding a private sector partner and is now restructuring the main parameters of the transaction, that are expected to be finalised and approved towards the end of November, making way for a fresh tender launch in December 2016. Further details on the elements of that restructuring have not been disclosed yet the official said, nor has the government announced the expected capital value of the redevelopment project.

The project is being procured by the government's Ministry of Transport and Mining. 

The design, build, finance, operate and maintain concession entails expanding and modernising the Norman Manley International Airport. The airport is the second largest in Jamaica, located 21km from the centre of Kingston, and is owned by Airports Authority of Jamaica. NMIA Airport is the airport's operator.

Along with the IFC as lead adviser, the Development Bank of Jamaica and the government’s Privatisation Agency and PPP Unit are co-advisers for the transaction.

Interested firms may send any questions or clarification requests on the project to dgallimore@dbankjm.com with copy to IFC at mottey@ifc.org and ddavis2@ifc.org.