[Sunnyflorida]

"Why don't American firms want to do business with the Federal Government? Were there no American companies at all bidding for this project?'

Each Port individually writes a contract to operate to an operating company. This is NOT a federal matter. Ever hear of the Port of Oakland, Port of Tampa, etc. Several Ports have outsourced operations to a British company this company is being acquired in a pretty much standard M&A. The merger, like many, gets a federal review on anti-trust, natiional security and other matters. If the Feds tried to block this M&A it would, likely, end up in court.

[K-oneTexas]

Okay, I realize that could be true. Let me rephrase - Why don't American companies what to do business with state/local 'Port Authorities'?

And that begs another question - since these Port Authorities are generally created by state/local legislation/action, why is the federal government letting these contracts? If it is just for the federal operations at that port, then my initial question is still valid.

These Port Authorities also are most likely have a board of directors or management team placed by politicians not elected by the voting public.

I don't want to be or seam argumentative but questions do exist and I question this action (as I did the sale of the Panama Canal)