Let me begin by saying that the Panama Canal Authority is the institution in charge of procurement for the expansion of the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal Authority is an independent entity of the government. They have their own procurement system. I mention that because sometimes people from abroad tend to think that the Panama Canal Authority is the same as the Government of Panama. It's part of the state of Panama, but they have their own way of dealing with their own activities.
On September 27th, 2012. See this statement in context.