During Friday’s Virgin Islands Port Authority governing board meeting, several items were approved for projects and operations, while one bid for $22 million raised concern among the board.
The governing board unanimously voted to approve several items, with the exception of one. The board accepted the bid proposed by Island Roads Corporation for the Crown Bay Terminal Improvements project for $22,640,195.38. This project includes waterfront infrastructure upgrades, stormwater management infrastructure upgrades, life safety infrastructure upgrades, and paving of container yard space for the areas currently occupied by Crowley Maritime and Tropical Shipping. However, due to concerns with the bid negotiation, board member Derek Gabriel voted against the measure. He questioned procurement status, whether invitations for bids can be negotiated, and why only certain phases of the project were considered for the bid.
Khadila Joseph, procurement and contracts manager, responded that negotiations are not applicable during bids and that, due to the type of solicitation, discussions with the federal grantor allowed certain line items to be considered and did not require all. Executive Director Carlton Dowe highlighted to the board that the Transportation grant for the repairs at the sandfill, where Tropical and Crowley operate, would assist with critical safety upgrades for particular areas both companies use for their operations.
“It’s dangerous and it’s a safety issue, that’s one of the reasons why, at least those parts that are so detrimental, were listed piece by piece, that we’re able to repair those critical parts right away rather than a accident or something happening,” he said.
He added that both companies are helping with matching funds for the grant.
“My problem is how we did this,” board member Derek Gabriel told the executive director, and shared that the project should have been split into smaller phases. “The original bid was $47.8 million dollars, and we’re agreeing to $22.6 without putting it back out for other companies to have a chance to bid. That is less than fifty percent of the original project that was put out to bid. Those are two different levels of tiers of competition and participation that exist.”
“There’s a reason only one company basically bid on it,” said Dowe. “This went out, one company responds. The nature of this work is not just general construction contracting work. The nature of this work dictates some level of in-water work has to be done,” said Dowe.
Gabriel was the sole dissenting vote. Board members Willard John, Gabriel, Gordon Rhea, Leona Smith, and White were present. Jennifer Matarangas-King and Kevin Rodriguez were absent.
Further, the board voted unanimously and approved:
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Executed a reimbursable agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration in the not-to-exceed amount of $759,306.84 for construction support services related to the Cyril E. King Airport (STT) Runway 10 Threshold Displacement project.
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Issued Task Order #21 to Stantec Consulting Services Inc. to provide design services related to the Cyril E. King Airport Airfield Markings Basemap in the not-to-exceed amount of $313,000.00.
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Issued Task Order #35 to Moffatt & Nichol to provide planning services in the development of a Marine Strategic Plan to address deficiencies in the marine infrastructure for the Authority in the not-to-exceed amount of $433,200.00.
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Issued a Professional Services Contract, on a sole-source basis, to Kimley-Horn & Associates, to provide construction phase services related to the STT Runway 10-28 Pavement Rehabilitation project in the not-to-exceed amount of $2,746,931.00.
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Issued Amendment No. 01 to Stantec’s Task Order #2, to provide professional services related to the environmental assessment for the Cyril E. King Airport Drainage Ghut Improvements project in the not-to-exceed amount of $75,884.08.
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Amended the contract with Julien’s Welding for the Replacement of the Perimeter Fence at the Edward Wilmoth Blyden Marine Terminal. The amendment will increase the original contract value by $56,499.00, bringing the total contract value to $170,499.00.
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Initiated negotiations with Custom Builders, LLC to enter into a contract not exceeding $99,800.00 for the replacement of ticket counters exposed to termites and saltwater damage at the Edward Wilmoth Blyden, IV Marine Terminal.
Additionally, the Port Authority currently has six active construction projects in the St. Thomas-St. John district totaling $70,985,435.30. In St. Croix, there are eight active projects totaling $44,595,111.01.
The following are project updates for St. Croix:
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C2023-33B HERA Apron Rehabilitation
Phase 1 and the first section of Phase 2 are completed. The contractor, Virgin Islands Paving, is currently working on the second section of Phase 2. Demolition of Phase 3 is completed. The project schedule will be pushed back to Q1 2026 due to the slag supplier’s shipment delay.
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C2021-04 HERA Runway 10-28 Shoulder and Electrical Vault Construction
This project is currently in the closeout phase. All scope of work items has been completed by the contractor, Virgin Islands Paving. Closeout pending processing of final payment.
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C2020-30B HERA Taxiway A & B Rehabilitation
This project is currently in the closeout phase. All scope of work items has been completed by the contractor, Virgin Islands Paving. Closeout pending completion of punchlist items.
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C2015-24 Gordon A. Finch Molasses Dock Terminal Cargo Building
Contractor, AT Construction Solutions, LLC, to complete punchlist items prior to final payment and closeout.
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C2021-10 Frederiksted Service Pier
The project is substantially completed. Contractor, Eleven Construction, to complete punchlist items prior to final payment and closeout.
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C2024-34 Frederiksted Pier Blow-Out Panels and Structural Repairs
Due to issues that were called out during multiple field inspections and meetings, the Port Authority is currently in the process of terminating the contract with contractor Tang How Brothers Inc. due to nonperformance.
“This project is about 90 percent complete,” said Descartes. “The remaining work includes structural repairs to four beams under the deck, which will be included in our future project for the Anne E Abramson catwalk and structural repairs.”
The project cost $321,700.00. The total paid to date from legislative funding is $292,990.91.
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C2024-23B Container Port Warehouse Generator Modification
Contractor, Continental Construction and Engineering, mobilized to site in October 2024. The contractor is currently procuring the electrical hardware. The generator slab and generator were installed in February 2024. Electrical installation and tie in remain to be completed pending arrival of the electrical hardware.
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Seaplane Long-Term Environmental Monitoring
Necessary long-term compliance monitoring continues to occur as required. Test results show no signs of contaminants as levels are much lower than the minimums necessary. The contractor requested to cut the contract short based on the latest report.
The following are project updates for St. Thomas:
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C2021-03 CEKA Parking & Transportation Center
The Final Occupancy Permit was received on April 11, 2025. Rental cars were moved into the ground floor for operations the following week. The grand opening ceremony was held on April 24, 2025. The Contractor, AT Construction Solutions, LLC, has remaining punchlist items and final completion is expected in October 2025, but all work will be accomplished while the garage is in operation.
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C2022-01 CEKA Taxiway A West Reconstruction
VIPA has requested a schedule from the Contractor, Grace Civil, LLC, to address marking deficiencies which are the final punch list item. 1% of total project value remains in retainage prior to closeout. The total value of the contract will not be expended under this project due to lower quantities of work in the field. The contractor has one pending request for equitable adjustment that VIPA will negotiate with them on. Meetings and negotiations continue to be ongoing and will take a few months to resolve.
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C2024-05 CEKA Selective Slab Replacement
Construction began in June 2025 on Gate 6 and Gate 11 and is scheduled for completion in September 2025. The contractor, Island Roads Corporation, has completed pouring of concrete slabs with the exception of two slabs at Gate 11. One slab was demolished due to defects and the other slab required extra reinforcement due to the presence of blue bit rock. Both slabs are scheduled to be poured during the week of 15 September. The Contractor is currently sealing the joints between the new slabs and preparing to commence pavement markings.
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C2024-30 Air Alliance Building Interior Build Out
The Port Authority issued the Notice to Proceed and the contractor, Energy Efficient Builders, LLC, mobilized to the site and erected a site perimeter fence for landside access. The contractor completed pouring of the concrete service ramp. Currently, the contractor is framing walls and running electrical conduit and lines for the interior build-out.
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C2025-02 Beachcomber Demolition
Major demolition work began in June 2025 and will continue through September 2025. All structures have been demolished, and debris is being removed from the site. The contractor, DCM Corporation, is conducting minor vegetation removal and groundwork while preparing for final site walk with the Port Authority.
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C2022-07 LLB Ferry Terminal Improvements
Punch list has been provided to the contractor, Rodriguez & Garland, from Substantial Completion Inspection. Rectification works continue to be ongoing. Substantial completion has not been given. Expecting final completion in September 2025.
St. Croix Source
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