TCI News
Turks and Caicos Islands Government’s Capital Projects – Public Procurement Procedure
#Providenciales, October 24, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – The procurement process for capital projects of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government is managed by the Turks and Caicos Islands Procurement Board as per 
the requirements of the Public Procurement Ordinance of 2014 (PPO).
The Procurement Board is established according to the provisions of the Public Procurement Ordinance [PPO 23] and consist of:
“(a) a Chairperson, appointed by the Governor in Council to hold office at the pleasure of the Governor;
(b) six officers drawn from across government appointed by the Deputy Governor to hold office at the pleasure of the Deputy Governor;
(c) the Permanent Secretary, Finance; and
(d) the Director of Contracts.
(4) The Auditor General and Chief Internal Auditor (or their nominees) shall be invited to attend meetings of the Board.
(10) An appointed member of the Board may not remain a member of the Board for no more than six years.”
The members of the Procurement Board are as follows:
- Chairperson of the Board / Director, Office of the Governor: Mr. James Astwood
- Director of Planning: Mr. Dainer Lightbourne
- Project Economist: Ms. Salace Richardson
- Financial Manager: Mrs. Kimberley Simmons-Lewis
- Director, Office of the Deputy Governor: Mr. Tito Lightbourne
- Attorney General’s Chambers Representative: Mrs. Khalila Astwood-Tatem
- Attorney General’s Chambers Second Representative: Ms. Yaa McCartney or Mrs. Motheba Linton
- Permanent Secretary, Finance
- Director of Contracts
PPO 24 (1) states:
“The functions of the Procurement Board are to:
(a) award contracts;
(b) approve invitation to tender documents;
(c) approve procurement procedures;
(d) approve the choice of a procurement procedure;
(e) approve solicitation documents before issue;
(f) approve the findings of evaluation panels;
(g) endorse decisions of departmental tender boards; and
(h) approve contract documentation and any amendment to an awarded contract.”
It is the responsibility of the Director of Contracts and the Chairperson of the Procurement Board to “ensure that in carrying out its functions the Procurement Board follows the procedures prescribed” by the PPO [PPO 24 (3)].
In addition, there are several steps involved in the processing of tenders. For ease of reference and public awareness, see the itemized steps listed below from submission of tenders to contract award notification:
- Tenders are publicly opened immediately following the closing of an Invitation to Tender at the scheduled meeting of the Procurement Board [PPO 23 (13); PPO 41 (2)].
- All members of the Procurement Board are required to declare if there are any Conflicts of Interest (perceived or actual) with any of the Invitations to Tender which are scheduled to be opened. If a conflict of interest is identified, then the member willbe recused.
- Following the tender opening, all tenders are handed over to the Chairperson of the Evaluation Panel, as established bythe PPO [PPO 45].
- Evaluation Panels are formed according to the general composition as outlined inthe PPO [PPO 45]:
“an evaluation panel in respect of a capital project or a public/private partnership project must consist of:
(a) the Director of Contracts or a person appointed by the Director, who shall preside at meetings of the panel;
(b) the Permanent Secretary for the department that has responsibility for the project;
(c) a representative from the Ministry of Finance appointed by the Permanent Secretary, Finance; and
(d) not less than two other member appointed by the Board.”
- The inclusion of additional members “appointed by the Board” is dependent on the nature of the project. The basis for the selection of persons across government is to ensure that there is an appropriate balance of technical and other pertinent skills relevant to the project included on the Evaluation Panel.
- All members of the evaluation panel are required to declare if there are any Conflicts of Interest (perceived or actual) with any of the Tenderers who submitted tenders for the project. If a conflict of interest is identified, then the member willbe recused and a replacement will be sought for inclusion on the panel.
- Each tender is evaluated based on the criteria which was included in the published Invitation to Tender. No changes can be made to the Evaluation Criteria once the Invitation to Tender is closed [PPO 45 (4)]. The general sequencefor the evaluation is as follows:
- Completed and signed Certificate of Non-Collusion: “An evaluation panel must not consider a tender unless it includes a completed Certificate of Non-Collusion signed by or on behalf of the tenderer” [PPO 49 (1)]. If the certificate of non-collusion is not submitted or is not completed and/or signed, the tender is not considered any further.
- Meeting Pre-Qualification Criteria: a tender must satisfy all the pre-qualification requirements to move to the next stage.
- Achieving the minimum technical or quality score based on the weightings and minimum score required as stated in the published Invitation to Tender. The minimum score required must be achieved so that the tender can move to the next stage i.e. the price evaluation stage.
- Evaluation of Price
- Each member of the Evaluation Panel will score a tender and those scores are moderated with a moderated final score being submitted to the Chairperson of the Evaluation Panel.
- The Chairperson of the Evaluation Panel prepares an Evaluation Report and circulates to all members of the Evaluation Panel for review and agreement. If necessary, the evaluation report is amended based on any
feedback received from members of the Evaluation Panel and recirculated to the panel.
- The final Evaluation Report, inclusive of a summary of the review and the recommendation of the Evaluation Panel, is submitted to the Procurement Board for agreement that the process was followed according to the provisions of the PPO.
- The Secretary to the Procurement Board then prepares a Contract Award Notification, which is submitted to the Deputy Governor for onward submission to the Cabinet.
- The Cabinet considers the Contract Award Notification submitted. The purpose of the Contract Award Notification is to inform the Cabinet of the process followed according to the provisions of the PPO. It includes a summary of the evaluation exercise and the recommendation by the Procurement Board.
- The Cabinet Secretariat returns an Action Point, advising of the Cabinet’s decision in reference to the Contract Award Notification.
Release: TCIG
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
News
BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa
– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –
[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.
The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination
from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.
The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.
Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.
While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.
Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.
Expanded Winter Season
- To South Caicos:
- Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
- To Turks and Caicos:
- Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
- Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
- Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”
The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com
