The Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) is pleased to announce that two bids have been received by the extended bid submission deadline, 17^th January, for the highly anticipated West End Ferry Terminal Project.

The submissions include one from a joint venture comprising two local firms and the other from a Canadian firm. Representatives from both entities were present at the official bid opening, which was led by the RDA’s Director of Procurement Mr. John Primo at the Agency’s Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park office.  In attendance were CDB Contract Supervisor and Project Manager Sergio Dantas, officials from the RDA and representatives from the Design Consultant Inros Lackner S.E.

The bid opening process followed a two-part envelope system, where only the technical submissions were opened for review. The technical proposals will now undergo a thorough evaluation by the project’s design consultant, Inros Lackner SE with the review expected to be completed by early February 2025. Once the technical evaluation is finalized, the financial proposals will be opened.

This milestone marks another step forward in the much-anticipated procurement process for the West End Ferry Terminal Project. The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the funding source for the project, provided its ‘No Objection’ in July 2024, enabling the tender process to proceed. The tender package, issued to four prequalified contractors, includes provisions for a temporary facility, as agreed with the BVI Ports Authority and the Ministry of Communications and Works.

The bid submission deadline, originally set for 25^th October 2024, was extended to 17^th January 2025, to allow the shortlisted bidders additional time to review the detailed project specifications and submit comprehensive proposals that meet the requirements of this critical infrastructure project.

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 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.”

The RDA remains committed to ensuring a transparent and rigorous procurement process for this flagship initiative. This project is a cornerstone of the territory's ongoing development, designed to enhance connectivity, improve traveler experience, and support economic growth.

Key Milestones:

• Two Bid Submissions received on 17 January, 2025
• Bid Deadline extended on 18 October 2024 to 17 January, 2025
• Bid Documents Issued: Tuesday, 30 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, 30 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 - 23 July, 2024
• Four firms successfully shortlisted – 23 October, 2023
• Lauch of ‘The Rebuild’ campaign to reintroduce the optimized designs to the public – 30^th August 2023
• Presentation made at First District Community meeting - 29^th 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, visit BVIRecovery.vg.

Colene A. Penn

Head of Communication

Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency

T: (284) 440-0040

Procurement Related Inquiries:  procurement@bvirecovery.vg 

General Enquiries:  communications@bvirecovery.vg 

Website: www.bvirecovery.vg