Ports launches call for new designs of Aguadilla Airport.
- The San Juan Daily Star
- Mar 11
- 2 min read
By THE STAR STAFF
The Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA) has launched a major infrastructure initiative at Rafael Hernández International Airport, inviting qualified Architecture and Engineering (A&E) firms to submit Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) for comprehensive design and construction support services.
The project centers on the conversion of an existing runway into a taxiway, along with additional taxiway improvements at the Aguadilla airport—one of Puerto Rico’s most strategically important aviation hubs.
The request, issued as a formal Request for Qualifications (RFQ), calls for firms with experience in engineering, design, bid support, and construction oversight. PRPA emphasized that the RFQ does not constitute a contract offer but serves as an opportunity for firms to express interest and demonstrate qualifications.
According to PRPA, respondents must confirm they have thoroughly reviewed the RFQ documents and related addenda and are familiar with all applicable laws and regulations governing the procurement process.
The project is backed by a significant federal investment. Under a Subrecipient Agreement executed on December 1, 2025, the Puerto Rico Department of Housing (PRDOH) allocated $100 million to PRPA through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Infrastructure Mitigation Program (CDBG-MIT).
These funds are designated for large-scale projects aimed at increasing Puerto Rico’s resilience to extreme weather and reducing long-term disaster risks. According to PRPA, the improvements at Rafael Hernández International Airport are expected to support these goals by enhancing critical infrastructure and reducing vulnerabilities related to natural disasters.
CDBG-MIT funds focus on transformative, high-impact projects that help mitigate loss of life, property damage, and economic disruption from future catastrophic events.
Acting with PRDOH’s concurrence, the Ports Authority is calling on experienced A&E firms to submit their SOQs no later than May 30, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.