After spending most of the morning in executive session, V.I. Next Generation Network (viNGN) board members approved two resolutions Friday that would help advance the company’s own internal operations, along with plans to construct a territory-wide broadband network, which has to be up and running on the business side by June 2013.
During the meeting, the board voted to establish an escrow account for contractors that provide cash or surety bonds to viNGN to guarantee their performance. According to viNGN board attorney Loren Kleeger, the money will be held in the newly established escrow account, and given back to the contractor when their work on the project is complete.
The board also approved a conflict of interest policy for the viNGN directors and employees. Acting viNGN Executive Director Alfred Boschulte said the policy would make sure each of the organization’s employees is operating in the best interest of the company.
“We developed a policy that we feel is very consistent with V.I. law, with the policies of government agencies and with federal statutes,” Boschulte said after the meeting. “All directors sign it, all employees have signed it, and I think it is how a business should operate.”
In his executive director’s report Friday, Boschulte said viNGN currently has two large fiber access point sites under construction on St. Thomas and St. Croix, and has issued requests for proposals (RFPs) for another six more. Another 31 will be sent out for bid responses by the end of the first quarter.
“For the first six, we will open the bids in two weeks, and then the other 31 will be out for bid responses before the end of the first quarter, so I’d say we’re really starting to ramp things up intensely,” Boschulte said.
An RFP will also be going out for the trenching needed for the laying of the fiber optic cables. Boschulte said the contract will be about $25 million and will cover at least four locations throughout the territory. During this process, residents can expect to see more equipment coming in and out of the territory, and more opportunities for local contractors who can help install the equipment.
“So what I am looking forward to is within the first quarter, and maybe before then end of March, there will be RFPs and contracts in the range of $35 million to $40 million,” Boschulte said. “We just have to move rapidly on this project to get it done for June 2013.”
Boschulte said the public would also be interested to know that viNGN has “concluded a major agreement” with Global Crossing on St. Croix that gives viNGN gigabit link access to New York and Miami.
“And I’m expecting some of those cables will be lit by the end of February,” Boschulte said. “Don’t be surprised if we have some early beta customers up before the end of the year – that’s my personal goal.”
Board members present during Friday’s meeting were Gov. John deJongh Jr., Hugo Hodge Jr., Peter Schultz, and Keith O’Neale.
