On Monday November 18th 2013 the procurement by Government Building Agency (Rijksgebouwendienst) took place for the repairs to the Bethel Methodist School on St. Eustatius. The contract was awarded to the only company that has submitted a bid: construction company Liccom from St. Maarten. In October four companies, two from St. Eustatius and two from St. Maarten, were invited for the tender. All four companies indicated an interest for the contract. However, on the last moment the two Statian companies and the second company from St. Maarten cancelled.
The Government Building Agency, on assignment of the Public Entity of St. Eustatius and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) is responsible for the implementation of the renovation project. Both clients and the Government Building Agency are disappointed with the cancellations of mainly the Statian construction companies. "Priority is that the schools on the island are being renovated, but this kind of investment can also be a positive stimulation for the local economy", according to Carlyle Tearr, Commissioner of Public Works. Incidentally, the cancellation by the Statian construction companies does not mean that there will be absolutely no more employment available. Companies that do not participate as main contractor can still fulfill a role as subcontractor.
The Government Building Agency has made a lot of effort to make it more attractive for local construction companies to participate in the tender. There were information meetings as well as discussions organized with construction companies on St. Eustatius. The bid, which had to be submitted, was simplified. Also, all drawings and contract documents were revised by the Government Building Agency in order to adjust as much as possible to the local situation. All documents were made available to the companies in two languages (English and Dutch).
The repairs on the now empty classrooms of the bethel Methodist School will be carried out in the coming period in consultation with the school. The relatively new building is momentarily constructively instable and is therefore cleared. During the implementation of the repairs the safety and tranquility of the children will be the main focus. Thus, the work area will be completely closed off and work that will cause noise will be carried out after school hours. However, it will not be completely without nuisance for personnel and children, according to the Government Building Agency. The restored building is expected to be completed in the first half of 2014.