Infrastructure upkeep at marine and air terminals was the focus of the Port Authority Board of Governors at its monthly meeting on Thursday. Board members also took a step to expand the range of vendors competing for transportation-related opportunities.
The U.S. Department of Transportation promotes the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE) as a way to offset discrimination in commerce against businesses challenged to compete with larger companies for DOT-related contracts.
Board members also authorized Executive Director Carlton Dowe to expand the runway apron paving project at St. Croix’s Henry E. Rohlsen Airport and to upgrade fenders used to protect marine facilities from the impact of berthing vessels.
In July 2023, the board authorized an agreement with Virgin Islands Paving, Inc. to rehabilitate and repave the runway aprons on St. Croix. VIPA Engineering Director Preston Beyer said the agency became aware of available funding through the Federal Aviation Administration for the paving project. The estimated cost so far is pegged at $14.6 million.
Now, Beyer said, the authority wants to pursue an additional $2 million to repave a section of runway apron not included in the original scope of work. Board members granted the authorization for Dowe to furnish its contractor with additional funds.
The board also approved a contract for Stefferson Marine and Construction to upgrade the dock fenders at VIPA marine ports on St. Thomas and St. John at a cost not to exceed $234,449.94.
There was also approval to extend an existing contract with ANOVA Solutions which will allow the agency to keep its Microsoft licenses along with its Microsoft Software Solutions program. The current contract expires June 30, said VIPA Procurement and Contracts Manager Kate Davis. Extending the contract by one year is a better idea than opening the bid process for a new three-year deal right now, she said.
Approval was granted at an estimated cost of $150,000.
