The Recovery and Development Agency recently awarded nine bidders with 13 contracts to clear debris around the territory left by last year’s hurricanes.

Though the agency has touted its commitment to transparency, it didn’t immediately release the bids, the contracts or the amount of each contract in spite of a request from the Beacon.

It did, however, name the successful bidders, and state that procurement procedures — including transparency protocols — will be decided soon by the RDA’s recently arrived CEO, Paul Bayly.

“At present, the exact process for the contracts and the bids are not finalised,” RDA communications consultant Kareem-Nelson Hull told the Beacon. “He will design that himself with the advice that we gathered from [a recent meeting with members of the press].”

 

$560k project

The “Special Debris Clearance Contract Project” — an approximately $560,000 endeavour that will help clean up Tortola and Jost Van Dyke — was designed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Development and will be managed alongside the Department of Waste Management, according to a Monday press release from the RDA.

Additional funding is expected to address debris clearance on Anegada and Virgin Gorda, the agency stated.

Contractors were invited on July 17 to bid on the 13 contract work packages, with submissions due July 25. Successful applicants were notified July 26, and work was scheduled to start Monday and to continue through Aug. 31, helping to ensure that debris will not become dangerous projectiles during peak hurricane season, according to the RDA.

 

High-risk areas

The project will target high-risk areas identified by the DWM. The funding will cover the cost of equipment use; labour; processing of debris; and a community information programme, the RDA stated.

The successful contractors represent nine local businesses chosen from among 22 applicants.

Bidders were assessed based on technical quality and cost, according to the RDA. The information that each provided was the first step to becoming a prequalified “RDA Contractor” registered on the “RDA Contractors Registration and Classification System,” the agency stated.

The nine contractors will be tasked with collecting large debris and delivering it to the government-run processing station in Coxheath.

Additionally, the placement of 24 large bins in various communities will aid residents in disposing of their debris.

The contracts are the first of many that will be advertised and managed by the RDA. All of them will be posted on the RDA website, www.bvirecovery.vg, and on the RDA Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/RDABVI.

 

Winning bidders

The successful bidders and their duties are as follows.

  • Denco, Ltd.: Cleaning debris in Sea Cows Bay, Carrot Bay and West End
  • Brian Maduro: Cleaning debris in Huntums Ghut and Lower Estate; Brandywine Bay, Fat Hogs Bay and Long Look; Little Dix Hill, Greenland, Parham Town and East End; and Road Town
  • Ricky’s 24-Hour Trucking: Cleaning debris at Fahie Hill, Sage Mountain and Cane Garden Bay
  • ENS Excavation and Trucking: Cleaning debris in Free Bottom, Baughers Bay and Belle Vue; and unloading the incinerator truck at Pockwood Pond
  • LMJ’s Backhoe and Trucking Services: Cleaning up the East End Debris Management Hub
  • D&B Heavy Equipment Services: Cleaning up Cane Garden Bay
  • Kim Kay’s Trucking Services Ltd.: Collecting debris in Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke
  • Ever-Ready Trucking LTD: cleaning up Little Harbour, JVD
  • Sandwise Limited: Cleaning up the JVD Debris Management Hub