Disaster office claims officials complied with rules in awarding of $137M contract

ST. CROIX — The Virgin Islands Disaster Recovery Office issued a statement on Thursday afternoon claiming the government complied with all applicable procurement rules when it awarded a $137 million contract for disaster recovery project management last month.

The statement was in response to a lawsuit filed in V.I. Superior Court this week by construction firm Hill International seeking a temporary restraining order as well as preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against the Disaster Recovery Office and Public Finance Authority.

“After a thorough evaluation, the Office of Disaster Recovery selected the respondent who demonstrated the greatest ability to manage the portfolio projects thereby bringing about the best value to the Territory,” according to the ODR statement.

ODR referenced an Aug. 16 article in The Daily News about the PFA’s approval of a $137 million, three-year contract awarded to engineering firm CH2M. During a PFA meeting a day earlier, Disaster Recovery Office Director Adrienne Williams-Octalien said an evaluation committee received 10 proposals. One was disqualified and five were shortlisted for consideration.