How to replace and "&" character in PLSQL when working with XML content manipulation

Declare a variable

and_char_   CHAR(1) := CHR(38);

Use it

example: replace '&company' with 'NVL(company_, '%')'

quick_rep_sql_stmt_ := REPLACE(quick_rep_sql_stmt_, CHR(38) || 'company', NVL(company_, '%'));

Example:

declare 
   and_char_           CHAR(1) := CHR(38);
   quick_rep_sql_stmt_ VARCHAR2(200) := 'SELECT * FROM customer_order_tab WHERE contract = &contract';
begin
   Dbms_Output.Put_Line('original stmt: ' || quick_rep_sql_stmt_);
   quick_rep_sql_stmt_ := REPLACE(quick_rep_sql_stmt_, CHR(38) || 'contract', 'NVL(contract_, ''%'')');
      Dbms_Output.Put_Line('modified stmt: ' || quick_rep_sql_stmt_);
end;