RDA issues tender for design and installation of new hospital sign
The Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) has issued a public tender for the design, supply, and installation of new signage at the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital in Tortola.
According to the RDA, the project includes “the design, supply, and installation of two (2) new building signs to be located on the south and east elevations of the hospital”. The work also requires cleaning and resealing the building’s exterior façades to ensure the durability of the installation.
The Agency stated that the procurement will follow the National (Domestic) Competitive Bidding process. Interested contractors may request the tender package by contacting the RDA’s procurement team. A site visit at the hospital took place on September 3, ahead of the submission deadline on September 22.
The tender notice added: “The RDA does not bind itself to accept the lowest priced or any other submission. The Agency reserves the right to cancel the present notice in its entirety or partially without defraying any cost incurred by any tenderer in submitting their tender”.
Public debate on costs
The hospital sign has been a subject of political debate in recent years. Lawmakers raised concerns about the proposed costs during House of Assembly discussions, questioning whether the project represented value for money.
One lawmaker estimated that the replacement cost was around $40,000 and contended that delays in replacing the sign hinted at political interference. An earlier estimate by a previous hospital administrator pinned the cost at more than $100,000.
Late last year, Junior Minister for Financial Services Lorna Smith also weighed in, calling for the sign to be replaced promptly. Smith criticised the external condition of the hospital, named in honour of her husband, the former Premier. At the time, she argued that the hospital deserved signage befitting its importance as the territory’s main health facility, while also stressing the need for accountability in spending.
“Given that man’s (Dr Smith’s) contribution to this territory, for 50 years or more, we are sending a wrong message. The appearance of the hospital, the external side of it, it needs to be fixed and we need to at least honour the man as we should,” Smith said at the time.
The RDA said that bids must be submitted by 10 am on September 22. The agency, which was established to help lead the territory’s recovery after Hurricane Irma, has managed several infrastructure and rehabilitation projects since its creation in 2017.
More than a month before losing the February 2019 General Election, the former NDP government, through Cabinet, decided to rename the then Peebles Hospital after the former Premier. It was in recognition of his pioneering efforts to improve healthcare for the residents of the territory.
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I do not think they should have renamed the hospital the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital. They could have named the surgery floor after him as he was/is a surgeon, similary, they could name the OB/GYN floor after Dr. Kedrick Pickering as this was/is his speciality.
Natalio and Lorna are now joined to the hip because of their involvement in the disappearance of our 5M so they will do anything for each other. Another favour to Lorna
In the real world you don’t make a project out of such a simple thing as purchasing a sign..seems that BVI loves little money waisting projects !
The local people I know consider getting out of bed in the morning and driving to work a ‘project’.
I was here thinking the same thing
I am on no hurry to spend the $100 million. that is our ticket to winning another election on the backs of tax payers. wicked
Need a new hospital with proper staffing and proper qualifications not a new sign……but hey is BVI we in. Greatest country ever I guess.
AM JUST BORROWING A FEW WORDS FROM HIS EXELENCY ” CSC” ) NOW IS IT THE SIGN HINDERING THE PERFORMANCE OF WHATEVER THAT IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY / THE LACK OF ESSENTIAL MACHINES OR EQUIPMENTS ( AND REAL QUALIFIED DOCTORS ) FOR THE HEALTH & WELLBEING OF THE PEOPLE OF
YHE VIRGIN ISLANDS / THE INFRASTRUCTURES ARE NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF AND ALL OF A SUDDEN A SIGN HAS GOTTEN THEIR FULL ATTENTION * WOW * WE WONDER WHO WAS THE GENIUSES WHO CAME WITH SUCH A BRILLIANT IDEA / ARE THEY THE ONES WHO’S RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE RENTING OF THEIR FAMILY & FRIENDS PRIVATE BUILDINGS FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND REFUSE TO REPAIR
THE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS ETC WE NEED CLAUDIE / WIGGIE / E LIEONERD / EDOO N CAR / AND THE OTHER 2 WANNABE PASTORS FROM CGB PLUS VINNIE TO CAST OUT THE DEMONS FROM THE HOA ( THEN WE WILL BE SAVED FROM THE UK & AND DEM ISLAND PEOPLE •
Hey you you left out / ” TO SAVE OURSELVES FROM OURSELVES “
The current signs on the building cost $32,000.00 plus installation fees. I’m wondering how much this same company will charge to do the new signs.
I have never agreed with changing the name from Peebles, but if they insist
, let the Smiths pay for it.
Internal is even worse, change admin
The hospital exterior is shocking, above the old entrance all plywood, windows filled with concrete, it has never been painted. Spend the money on medical equipment. If homage to Dr Smith is needed erect ground level directional signs.
The people were not asked or consulted about the name change. But now we get to pay to help a mans ego