V.I. Port Authority logo. By. ERNICE GILBERT/VI CONSORTIUM
The V.I. Port Authority announced Thursday the use of a new online procurement system for the purchase of goods and services. The new system was added to the authority’s official website yesterday at www.viport.com/purchasing.
According to the release, current vendors doing business with the authority are encouraged to register using the new system to receive e-mail communications when bid events are issued for goods or services. Registration on the new platform is also required to submit bid responses. Individuals or companies interested in doing business with VIPA must also register as an interested vendor to receive notifications when bids are opened. Registration is free and required of all VIPA’s existing and potential vendors and contractors. Registering on the new bidding system does not automatically approve any individual or business as a VIPA vendor.
VIPA’s new system was developed by Ion Wave Technologies (IWT). The company builds software applications that transacts billions of dollars in procurement spending every year, according to VIPA. IWT was formed in May 2002 after purchasing the key assets of Way2Bid, another electronic procurement company. IWT’s founders were responsible for technology that facilitated the first Internet-based, interactive electronic bid events in August of 1997.
