PHILIPSBURG: --- The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) is taking significant steps to reform waste management in St. Maarten. On Wednesday, Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs Jr. provided an update on the tender for new garbage collection services, noting strong interest from the private sector and underscoring the government's commitment to a more sustainable and efficient future.
The tender, strategically divided into six distinct parcels to ensure comprehensive coverage across the island, has attracted competitive responses. A total of 17 companies submitted bids, demonstrating a robust interest in partnering with the government to improve this essential public service. This approach aims to enhance delivery service for all residents and businesses.
Minister Gumbs emphasized that the current waste collection system is both underfunded and inefficient. The new initiatives are designed to transition St. Maarten towards a more sustainable waste sector. The government has also received a letter from current haulers regarding their challenges, and a response is being finalized. The Minister expressed his appreciation for the open dialogue and looks forward to a continued working relationship with them.
A Transparent Evaluation Process
With the bidding process now closed, the Ministry's Evaluation Committee will begin a thorough assessment of each proposal. Minister Gumbs assured the public that this evaluation will be transparent and fair, taking into account the recommendations from the Ombudsman's report on the previous tendering process.
Each bid will be carefully reviewed against several key criteria, including:
• Technical specifications
• Quality standards
• Environmental considerations
• Value for money
The ultimate goal is to secure reliable, efficient, and sustainable garbage collection services that meet the community's needs while upholding the island's environmental standards.
Breakdown of Bids Per Parcel
The competitive nature of the tender was evident in the number of bids and the wide range of proposal values for each parcel:
• Parcel 1: 16 bids submitted, with proposals ranging from $684,000 to $3,339,158.
• Parcel 2: 10 bids submitted, with proposals ranging from $1,084,104 to $5,860,706.
• Parcel 3: 9 bids submitted, with proposals ranging from $826,974 to $3,267,583.
• Parcel 4: 10 bids submitted, with proposals ranging from $1,041,000 to $3,814,668.
• Parcel 5: 9 bids submitted, with proposals ranging from $772,350 to $3,581,649.
• Parcel 6: 10 bids submitted, with proposals ranging from $1,071,822 to $5,044,173.
The evaluation process is expected to be completed shortly. A further announcement will be made once the tender awards have been finalized. The Ministry thanked all companies that submitted proposals for their interest in contributing to the improvement of St. Martin's waste management services.