Normally, contracts are let to the low, responsive, and responsible bidder. This criteria has flaws and sometimes it not the best method. Low bidder often times means low quality. I would hesitate in awarding this contract to any bidder based on low bid alone. This contract should be based on best value. As the government agonizes over to whom to award the contract. The following factors should be given strong consideration:
1. Ability to collect, treat, and distribute safe, quality, drinking water( water should meet international standard and be safe to drink)
2. Extensive experience operating water plant(s)
3. Ability to meet demands of customers. No prolong periods without water.
4. Capital to meet operational obligations
5. Produce water at a fair and reasonable cost per thousand gallions
/acre-foot
6. Ability to provide water during a national emergency(s)
7. Meet required staffing requirements
8. Abilty to provide safe drinking water at the tap ( bottle water should be an option, not a must)

Should the contract be let to OC or Bi-water? It depends. OC is local company and it will be my preference if they get the contract provided they meet the requirements . And if they can not, the contract should be given to the entity which can provide the best value. Though I would prefer that government construct, operate, and maintain the plant instead of outsourcing it. This is too critical a resource to contract out. If the contractor goes belly what is the short-term plan? As a minimum gov needs to maintain some in-house capabilty to quickly assume operational responsibility.

If we currently purchase 2.3mil that’s an expected yearly revenue for water and serwerage dept. of 14mil (2.3mil x $17 per 1000 gal x 365)
Of which our water and sewerage dept only collected 3mil less that 25%.

Mr. Director that’s what the people want to know, please tell us how this is allowed to happen under your watch.

OC had their chance, The sewage is a big problem also, my god driving through town is stinks, I am tired of being out of water, right now my water off, I live long bush area and its a constant problem, It was never so in the begginning. I am for any other company but OC.

Johnno, since we need a change why don't you pay the $45 million?

Johnno, you are casting your blame on the wrong set of people. Your government is to be blame for negotiating a contract with OC,so that we can get better a price for water. Your government is to be blame for having leaky pipes and reservoir for years. I think the Director of Water and Sewerage need to be fired. For years we have all that water wasting. 40% of water is wasting. Who should repay tax payers for all the money spent for all the water that is wasting becaues of the leaky pipes and reservoir. Bi water is owned by one billionaire white family.

Yes, OC's bid is lower. However, they did not include everything BiWater said that they would include in their price. So we still getting rip off. OC too nuff. How come all of a sudden they could afford to provide us with water for so cheap?

This argument is just ridiculous. Ocean Conversion aka BVU Investment Club.. has had many years to get the water problem solved.
Have they done so ? over all of these years ??

My friends, that is the question... Has Ocean Conversion during their many years for having a monopoly on water,,, done what they were obligated to do ??
The answer is 100 % crystal clean... Ocean Conversion has failed... and as a result, Government sought out new providers... including Bi-Water.

Yes, I would like to see Investment Club or other local entity's take over this water situation

Sadly, Ocean Conversion has NOT benn doing their job. ( though they continue to blame other people)
Let's bring in some professionals and have a reliable, LOWER COST..source of water.
It's time for a change....

Blah Blah.....Government cannot afford to have OC experiment with such an intensive project. They can't produce bare water on a reliable basis, how is it they will manage with a much bigger project! Enough time has wasted, we need to get this thing going cause if it aint done by next election, VIP will get the blame! It's about making tough decisions!