Palau: Belau National Hospital Relocation Feasibility Study
July 2, 2025
- September 1, 2025
Palau’s Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Industries (“MPII”) invites submission of qualifications and proposal data (collectively referred to as the Proposal) from interested U.S. firms that are qualified based on experience and capability to conduct a feasibility study (“FS”) related to the construction of a new modern hospital with a capacity of 120 to 150 beds, designed to meet both current and future healthcare needs (the “Project”) in the Republic of Palau. The Proposal submission deadline is Monday, September 1 at 10:00 AM D.C. Time | 11:00 PM Ngerulmud, Palau Time. The U.S. firm selected will be paid in U.S. dollars from a $2,370,000 grant to MPII from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.
About the Grantee
The Grantee is MPII, a government entity which oversees Palau’s key infrastructure development, management and maintenance efforts through various bureaus under its purview, such as the Bureau of Public Works (“BPW”), the Bureau of Aviation, and the Bureau of Marine Transportation and the Bureau of Lands & Surveys. BPW, in particular, is responsible for managing critical services like waste management, and the maintenance of public facilities and roads, and will oversee the activity’s progress.
Project Background
Palau is a small archipelago composed of 340 islands in the Western Pacific Ocean. The major populated islands include Babeldaob, Koror, Airai, and Peleliu, though about 70% of the country’s population is concentrated in Koror. One of Palau’s most pressing infrastructure challenges is Belau National Hospital (“BNH”), the only hospital serving the country. The hospital is struggling with numerous challenges, including overloaded emergency services, a shortage of physicians, and the relentless wear and tear on its facilities due to the harsh coastal environment. Palau’s President, Surangel Whipps Jr., has designated the relocation and modernization of BNH as one of the top priorities under Palau’s National Infrastructure Investment Plan. The goal is to relocate the hospital to a safer inland site and build a robust infrastructure to withstand the challenges that come with Palau’s tropical conditions. Additionally, the new hospital will be a modern healthcare facility that can offer comprehensive services, including specialty care like oncology, neurology, and advanced emergency care, all of which are currently unavailable in Palau.
About the Feasibility Study
The FS will focus on evaluating three shortlisted sites for potential relocation in detail, considering environmental, technical, and economic factors. In addition to identifying the ideal location, the FS would also support 30% of the engineering and architectural design for the new hospital to accommodate 120 to 150 beds and offer additional advanced medical services domestically. The FS will involve working closely with Palauan stakeholders to assess the current hospital’s capabilities and identify the specific needs in terms of facilities, equipment, and staffing for the new hospital. Additionally, the FS will provide capital and operating cost estimates alongside financial models that project both the initial investment and long-term sustainability of the hospital.
