Summary of AR Permit for Nearshore East-West Army Reef Site

This is a permit documentation file for the Escambia County Artificial Reef Construction project, involving the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The project requires the manufacture, transportation, and precise deployment of approximately 25 Patch Reef modules at the Nearshore East Artificial Reef Site, located approximately 5 nautical miles southeast of Pensacola Pass in the Gulf of Mexico at water depths of 45-65 feet. The modules will be spaced approximately 500 feet apart within a 2 square nautical mile permitted site centered at coordinates 30°17.600'N; 087°13.700'W. A pre-solicitation meeting is scheduled for November 7, 2025, with questions due by November 20, 2025, and proposals due December 1, 2025 at 10:00 am. The estimated construction period is March 2026, with project completion required by May 1, 2026. Modules will be inspected within 1-3 weeks post-deployment, and any damaged modules must be replaced by the contractor at no cost to Escambia County.

The total project funding is $450,000, sourced through the Florida Artificial Reef Program as part of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Phase III Early Restoration Plan related to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Escambia County retains the right to reject all submissions or select a submittal to be funded at a reduced amount. Contractors must demonstrate at least three similar Patch Reef deployments at comparable depths within the past three years and provide comprehensive insurance, including Protection & Indemnity Marine Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate), Maritime Workers Compensation ($1,000,000 limits), and Marine Pollution liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate). All insurers must maintain a minimum AM Best Rating of VIII with an "A" or better rating preferred. The final number, design, and specific coordinates of reef modules will be determined by Escambia County upon receipt of module pricing.