SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO — The Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnership Authority (PPPA), in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Ports Authority (Authority), issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the public-private partnership (P3) of Luis Muñoz Marín (LMM) International Airport, as part of the broad economic development measures being spearheaded by Governor Luis Fortuño's Administration in Puerto Rico.

The PPPA and the Ports Authority set Aug. 8, 2011, as the due date for consortiums to submit their responses.

In compliance with PPPA’s Procurement Regulations, the project’s Partnership Committee will have the task of examining each of the consortiums’ submittals to arrive at a shortlist of the respondents that will provide a competitive bidding process in order to achieve the objectives of the PPPA and the Ports Authority. Qualified bidders then will take part in the procurement process to acquire a concession to finance, operate, maintain and improve the airport.

David Alvarez, executive director of the PPPA, commented that "the issuance of the RFQ is a major step in the procurement process of LMM. Following the well-received announcement of the Toll Roads P3 two weeks ago, we are confident that we will receive responses from qualified bidders, which will result in benefits for Puerto Rico and for all those who travel through the airport.”

Alberto Escudero, executive director of the Ports Authority, indicated "we are committed to exploring innovative ways to deliver better infrastructure and services for all travelers, airlines, and general public. We feel confident that prospective proponents will be also be committed to a transformative project for the benefit of residents of Puerto Rico and traveling public.”

The RFQ will be posted on the Internet for informative purposes as required by the local P3 legislation. The PPPA has established a website — www.p3.gov.pr — which contains all the information on this and other P3 projects in Puerto Rico.