Summary of Nearshore East Reef Site File

This is a Request for Proposals diagram and project documentation for Escambia County, Florida's Artificial Reef Construction, Transportation, and Deployment project (AR2609 NRDA EscaRosa), supported by the Florida Artificial Reef Program. The project involves the manufacture, transportation, and precise deployment of approximately 25 Patch Reef modules (exact quantity dependent on pricing) within the Nearshore East Artificial Reef Site, a 2 square nautical mile area 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 with final coordinates determined by Escambia County upon selection of the contractor. The solicitation requires submission of comprehensive proposals by December 1, 2025 at 10:00 am, with a pre-solicitation meeting scheduled for November 7, 2025 and a question submission deadline of November 20, 2025. Construction is estimated for March 2026, with project completion required by May 1, 2026. Contractors must demonstrate prior experience with at least three comparable "Patch Reef" artificial reef deployments at similar depths within the past three years. Proposal evaluation will be scored across five equally weighted criteria (20 points each): module construction and durability, habitat value, horizontal and vertical stability, deployment capability, and price.

The total project funding is $450,000, with Escambia County reserving the right to reject all submissions or select a submittal at a lower amount. The solicitation does not specify set-aside designations or organizational restrictions. Contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance including Protection & Indemnity (Marine Liability) coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate, Maritime Workers Compensation of $1,000,000, and Marine Pollution liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate, with insurers holding a minimum AM Best Rating of VIII and an "A" or better rating preferred. The project is funded through the Florida Artificial Reef Program as part of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Phase III Early Restoration Plan related to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Successful contractors are responsible for replacing any damaged modules discovered during inspections conducted 1-3 weeks post-deployment at no cost to the county. Final module specifications, quantities, and placement coordinates will be determined by Escambia County upon issuance of the Purchase Order and Notice to Proceed.