💧 Water and Power · U.S. Virgin Islands
WAPA board approved five measures at May 26 meeting
Official document: https://www.viwapa.vi/docs/default-source/news-(docs)/may-26-regular-board-meeting-press-release.pdf?sfvrsn=69a137ef_2
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority’s governing board approved five measures at its May 26, 2022 meeting, including contracts tied to electrical infrastructure, demolition work, financial audits and vehicle purchases.
The board approved a $10.2 million contract with ABB Inc. for the Donald C. Francois 34.5kV and 13.8kV Gas Insulated Replacement Project. WAPA said the FEMA-funded hazard mitigation project would replace hurricane-damaged air-insulated switchgear with gas-insulated switchgear.
The board also approved Change Order No. 1 for the Randolph Harley Power Plant Expansion Project demolition of Tank No. 10, granting 47 additional calendar days for remediation of contaminated soil discovered during the work.
In a separate vote, the board authorized WAPA to contract with BDO USA LLP to audit the authority’s electric and water system financial statements for fiscal years 2021 and 2022 at a cost of $360,000 per year plus out-of-pocket expenses. WAPA said BDO was the only respondent to its solicitation for external audit services.
The board approved Addendum No. 2 for SC-08-22 with On-Site Environmental, increasing the contract by $97,706.25 for demolition of the old IDE foundation at the Randolph Harley Power Plant. WAPA said the project involved 965 cubic yards, or 1,954 tons, of demolished concrete above the 583 cubic yards estimated in the contract.
The board also authorized the executive director to purchase eight Tesla Model Y Long Range Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive electric vehicles from Tesla Inc. for $507,520. WAPA said the purchase would be funded through a U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Insular Affairs Energizing Insular Communities grant.