Summary

This is an Authorization to Advertise document issued by Collier County, Florida's Procurement Services Division for Solicitation No. 26-8661, titled "Maintenance Wiggins Pass and Doctors Pass Dredging - Grant Funded." The procurement covers hydraulic dredging operations at two coastal locations: Wiggins Pass, requiring approximately 81,200 cubic yards of sand to be dredged and placed on Delnor-Wiggins State Park beaches, and Doctors Pass, requiring approximately 34,400 cubic yards of sand placement along Naples Beach. Sealed bids are due March 30, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. local time via the county's online procurement portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/collier-county-fl. The selected contractor must commence work within five calendar days of receiving the Notice to Proceed (estimated April 24, 2026) and achieve substantial completion within 90 calendar days, with final completion required within 120 days total. Liquidated damages are assessed at $2,667.00 per calendar day for failure to meet the substantial completion deadline. The authorization was signed on March 11-12, 2026, by multiple county officials including the Procurement Director, Project Manager, and Division Director.

Bidders must demonstrate prior hydraulic and coastal inlet dredging experience, provide five project references from similar work completed within the past five years, possess current Florida contractor licenses, and identify specific dredge equipment meeting minimum specifications (14-inch dredge capable of pumping at least 6,000 feet). The contract utilizes local vendor preference (Choice 2) and requires submission of certified bid bonds equal to five percent of the total bid amount and performance/payment bonds equal to 100 percent of the award. The anticipated project budget is $2,800,000.00 and is grant-funded through FEMA Public Assistance, subject to compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 and prevailing wage standards. Required insurance includes Workers' Compensation, Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 single limit), Watercraft ($1,000,000 per occurrence), and Pollution ($1,000,000 per occurrence) coverage. Contractors must be E-Verify enrolled at bid submission and comply with Florida Department of Environmental Protection specifications for beach-compatible sand, turbidity monitoring, marine turtle and shorebird protection measures, and seagrass avoidance protocols. The award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.