The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) has received a "No Objection" from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to advance the procurement process for the construction of the West End Ferry Terminal and temporary facility.  As a result, the four shortlisted firms have officially been issued the bid documents, marking a significant step forward in the project’s progress.

Bidders now have until 10:00 a.m. on Friday, 25th October, 2024 to submit their bids.  Prior to this, a Site Visit and Bidder’s Conference will be held for the four shortlisted bidders on Friday, 30th August, 2024 to get a firsthand view of the conditions and possible challenges at and around the project’s location as well as to pose questions they may have based on the site visit.

RDA’s Director of Procurement Mr. John Primo shared that, “The RDA is pleased to have arrived at this point in the process and appreciates the CDB's support. I encourage the shortlisted firms to thoroughly review all documentation to ensure that their bids meet all the required specifications and offer a competitive price”.

The West End Ferry Terminal was the busiest seaport in the Virgin Islands prior to the 2017 hurricanes, clearing over 40-percent (40%) of all arrivals by sea into the Territory. The destruction of the terminal has affected travel between Tortola, Jost Van Dyke and the USVI impacting both residents and visitors, whether arriving by ferry, water taxi, private yacht or charter yacht.

The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency in its remit to build BVI Stronger, Smarter, Greener, Better, has been tasked to implement several projects and programmes across the Territory, in key sectors and measured by outcome statements identified through the Recovery to Development Plan.

The Construction of the New West End Ferry Terminal Project is being implemented within the “Resilient Infrastructure” Sector and as part of the CDB-funded Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Loan (RRL). 

It is guided by the outcome statement: “Improved climate resilient and socially-inclusive infrastructure and institutions in the transport, water and sewerage, governance, education and national security sectors in the Virgin Islands.”

Key Milestones:

• Bid Documents Issued: Tuesday, 30th July, 2024:  The four shortlisted firms have been provided with the bid documents and are now preparing their detailed bids.
• CDB No Objection received: Tuesday, 30th July, 2024: The CDB having reviewed the procurement process has granted a ‘No Objection’, allowing the bid process to proceed.  A ‘No Objection’ at this stage means that the Bank has reviewed and was satisfied with the full package containing the bidding documents and has authorised their issue to the shortlisted bidders.
• First district residents receive project update at community meeting - 23rd July, 2024
• Four firms successfully shortlisted – 23rd October, 2023
• Lauch of ‘The Rebuild’ campaign to reintroduce the optimized designs to the public – 30th August 2023
• Presentation made at First District Community meeting - 29th August, 2023
• Pre-Qualification re-issued as initial nine firms did not meet criteria – August 2023
• Initial Pre-Qualification issued – April 2023
• Reveal of Winning Design – December 2022
• Reveal and voting period for three proposed designs - July 2022
• Initial design revealed at Public Meetings – February 2022
• Community Meeting with Design Consultants & the Premier - 29 August, 2021
• Contract Signed for Design and Construction Management for West End Ferry Terminal – 16 August, 2021

For further information, please visit BVIRecovery.vg