VIHFA’s Procurement Department ensures that goods and services are purchased fairly, competitively, and in compliance with federal and local laws. The goal is to get the best value for public funds while maintaining transparency and integrity.

Any licensed business — local or off-island — that meets VIHFA’s eligibility requirements may compete for opportunities. Vendors must hold a valid USVI business license and not be suspended or debarred from government contracts.

All public solicitations are posted on VIHFA’s Procurement Portal at https://vihfa.gov/procurement. Announcements may also appear in local newspapers or on VIHFA’s social media.

Vendors can register through VIHFA’s online procurement platform, IonWave, by visiting https://vihfa.ionwave.net/. Once registered, vendors can complete their vendor profile, upload the required documents (valid USVI business license, certificate of good standing, W-9, etc.), and receive notifications of new bid opportunities directly through the IonWave system.

Depending on the purchase size and complexity:
– Micro-Purchases (up to $10,000) – two written quotes required
– Small Purchases ($10,001 – $250,000) – at least three written quotes or formal procurement
– Formal Procurements (over $250,000) – competitive sealed bids or RFPs
– Emergency Procurements – used only during declared emergencies.

IFB (Invitation for Bid): Used when the lowest price wins and all requirements are clear.
RFP (Request for Proposal): Used when qualifications, approach, and experience are evaluated along with price.
RFQ (Request for Qualifications): Used for professional services such as architecture or engineering.

Contract awards depend on the type of procurement:

Invitation for Bid (IFB): Lowest responsive and responsible bidder – based primarily on price.
Request for Proposal (RFP): Best overall value – evaluated on technical approach, experience, and price.
Request for Qualifications (RFQ): Most qualified firm – selected on qualifications and experience only; price negotiated afterward.

Yes. Vendors have 7 calendar days from the event (e.g., bid opening or award) to file a written protest with the Director of Procurement and Contracts at VIHFA. Late protests will not be accepted.

If your company (or related entity) is involved in legal action against VIHFA, you may be disqualified from participating in any procurement process until the matter is resolved.

Yes. VIHFA makes every effort to engage small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses, especially those based in the Virgin Islands, whenever practical.

In emergencies or disasters, VIHFA may purchase goods or services without full competition to protect public safety or restore essential operations. These actions are temporary and must be documented and approved.

For construction contracts over $500,000, contractors may need to provide bid, performance, and payment bonds or equivalent security. Bonds must come from a company authorized to do business in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Projects using federal funds (e.g., HUD’s CDBG-DR or CDBG-MIT programs) must comply with 2 CFR Part 200, the Davis-Bacon Act, Section 3, Copeland Anti-Kickback, and other HUD “cross-cutting” laws. All vendors must also have an active SAM.gov registration.

Procurement files remain confidential until a contract award is approved. Afterward, documents may become public under the Virgin Islands Freedom of Information Act, except for proprietary or trade-secret materials.

Registered vendors can log in to the IonWave system at https://vihfa.ionwave.net/ to view all active and past solicitations. Within the platform, vendors can download bid documents, submit proposals electronically, ask clarification questions, and track the status of their submissions in real time. Vendors will also receive automatic email notifications of any addenda, award decisions, or status updates through IonWave.