security at Bermuda International Airport, which shifts to local control from the US Navy on Thursday.

Selection of the company and the final price is still subject to negotiations, Management and Technology Minister the Hon. Grant Gibbons said in a news release yesterday.

Five bids were received for the contract, which is to provide jobs for at least 20 Bermudians and run until September 1, 1988.

The contract will see specially-trained and uniformed personnel take over Airport security from Bermuda Police in phases between July 1 and September 1, when the Navy pulls out completely.

The new Airport Security Police will control access to the airfield and patrol the outside fence. Officers will have powers of arrest, detention, and search.

Dr. Gibbons said Bermuda Police will still have "a significant presence at the Airport'', retaining responsibility for security of land and buildings outside the airfield fence and providing back-up.

Island-Wide, the largest security firm in Bermuda with more than 40 years of experience, was unanimously recommended by a selection team on the basis of price and other contract requirements, Dr. Gibbons said.

The company is expected to hire 14 new workers in order to assign 22 people to 24-hour Airport service.