Ferry companies licensed in the British Virgin Islands are being invited to submit bids for the operation of a three-day safe and reliable service between Anegada and Tortola for two years, operating on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The proposed routes for ferry operations are from Road Town, Tortola with a stop in Valley, Virgin Gorda and continuing on to Setting Point, Anegada and returning from Anegada to Tortola via Valley, Virgin Gorda on Mondays and Fridays only. On Wednesdays the ferry will operate a non-stop return service between Tortola and Anegada.

The scope of the service requires operators to have sufficient assets in place to avoid discontinuity and interruption of service so that schedules are maintained: be able to operate with a minimum of three crew members; have adequate space to accommodate a minimum of 90 passengers and have established standards for crew including training, uniforms, safety, decorum et cetera. in accordance with the standards of the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry. Vessels must also be clean and well maintained and operators must have a fully staffed ticket office at Road Town Ferry Dock and a contact person on Virgin Gorda and Anegada.

All applications must include certificates of good standing from the Director of the BVI Social Security Board, Commissioner of Inland Revenue and the Registrar of Corporate Affairs. A valid trade license is also required. The certificates´ issue dates should be no earlier than one month prior to the date of submission.

Tender documents will be available upon request from the Chairman of the Central Tenders Board in the Procurement Unit of the Ministry of Finance and will be distributed effective Monday, November 23 until Friday, December 4 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The deadline for submission of tenders is Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 10 a.m. and a non-refundable $50 fee payable by cash or bank cashier´s cheque payable to the Accountant General is required.

Tenders will be publicly opened at the Ministry of Finance, Procurement Unit located at the RFG Place, third floor on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 12 noon and prospective tenderers are invited to attend.

For more information, interested persons can contact the Procurement Coordinator, Mrs. Ishma Hodge-Rhymer at 468-3701 ext. 4243.

Providing a reliable, safe, affordable and comfortable service to the people of the Virgin Islands is one of the commitments of government, along with meeting the growing needs of residents and visitors.