The territory’s two major fuel suppliers have thrown their hats into the ring, each bidding more than $75 million to supply the diesel and lubricating oil that the BVI Electricity Corporation needs to keep the Virgin Islands’ lights on.
At the conference room of the O’Neal Webster law firm on Monday morning, the BVIEC hosted an open tender process for the fuel contract, the corporation’s largest annual expense. Delta Petroleum bid $76.8 million for the two-year contract, while Sol [BVI] bid $79.1 million.
During Monday’s ceremony BVIEC General Manager Leroy Abraham unlocked the padlock to a wooden box that contained sealed manila envelopes from the two fuel companies. Each envelope was opened for the first time in front of an audience as a way to ensure the transparency of the bidding process.
The current contract expires on Aug. 31, Mr. Abraham said, adding that officials hope to analyse both bids and make their selection before then. Both bids will be reviewed “to ensure they comply with specifications made by BVIEC for quality” as well as price, he added.
See the Aug. 16, 2012 edition for full coverage.
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