NIGP 95984: Towing Services, Marine

NIGP 95984 Towing Services, Marine (Item) encompasses removal, transport, and disposal of derelict and abandoned vessels across state and local waterways, including floating operations, hazardous-material handling, environmental compliance, and landfill tipping fees. State and local governments buy this work primarily through two channels: grant-funded removal programs administered by fish-and-wildlife agencies seeking individual price quotes for specific vessels, and operational fleet and asset management contracts from municipalities and special-purpose districts procuring ongoing towing and recovery capacity. Recent solicitations show Escambia County Marine Resources Division (Florida) issuing multiple Invitations to Quote for individual derelict vessels funded through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Opportunity, alongside operational-support contracts from city fleet services departments, school districts, and municipal water utilities. The work spans removal of personal watercraft, sailboats, barges, houseboats, and barges ranging from 16 to 33 feet, with contractors required to maintain Protection & Indemnity marine liability ($1 million per occurrence minimum), maritime workers' compensation, and marine pollution liability. Best-management-practice compliance is mandatory, including turbidity control, environmental protection for seagrass and wetlands, contaminant and fuel-tank removal by licensed operators, and photo-documentation.

Recent activity concentrates in Florida (Escambia County, City of Fort Myers, City of Tampa, Pinellas County Schools, Eastern Municipal Water District in Riverside County, California) and extends to Oregon (Department of State Lands), Minnesota (Department of Natural Resources), Texas (General Land Office), and Arkansas (City of Little Rock). Escambia County has issued multiple derelict-vessel removal quotes—including WM2629 (Kees Bayou Barge), WM2630 (27-foot Catalina Sailboat), WM2638 (32-foot Islander), WM2639 (30-foot Morgan), WM2640 (20-foot Four Winns), WM2641 (16-foot Bowrider)—all with price quotes due in June through August 2026 and funded by FWC grant monies. The City of Fort Myers issued RFP26067 for derelict-vessel removal with disaster-response capability on a continuing-contract basis, with proposals due November 10, 2026 and estimated unit pricing across four vessel-length categories (0–20 feet, 20–40 feet, 40–60 feet, 60+ feet). The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources issued RFB 2027-246 for removal of one abandoned houseboat from Lake Vermilion with bids due October 7, 2026. The Pinellas County School District issued ITB 26-AM-012 for 24/7 towing and recovery services across school district fleet with an estimated annual value of $70,000 and bids due July 29, 2026. The Oregon Department of State Lands issued an Intermediate RFP for removal and disposal of abandoned and derelict vessels up to 40 feet across multiple waterways in Multnomah, Columbia, and Clackamas Counties, with a mandatory pre-proposal conference June 3, 2026, and proposals due June 23, 2026, with contract value up to $250,000 through June 30, 2027.