Ashley_River_Scenic_Blue_Trail_Obstruction_Clearing_(Addendum_#1_Revision).pdf

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INVITATION FOR BID

No. 2027-09 (SCPRT RTP Project No. P28052601226)

Ashley River Scenic Blue Trail Obstruction Clearing

Publish Date September 23, 2026

Last Day for Questions October 27, 2026, 8:00am

Bid Opening November 5, 2026, 2:00pm

Table Of Contents

1. SECTION ONE: SPECIFICATIONS

1.1. Project Overview

1.2. General Scope

1.3. Project Limits and Priority of Work

1.4. Existing Conditions and Reference Information

1.5. Bidder Investigation of Conditions

1.6. SCDNR Best Management Practices

1.7. Access and Work from the Water

1.8. Debris Handling and Disposal

1.9. Environmental Protection

1.10. Permits, Approvals, and Regulatory Compliance

1.11. Protection of Properties and Existing Improvements

1.12. Safety and Public Use

1.13. Documentation

1.14. Completion and Acceptance

1.15. Federally Funded Project

1.16. Locations of Segments Included on Bid Form and Prioritization

1.17. Bidder's Minimum Qualifications

2. SECTION TWO: SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS AND SOLICITATION-SPECIFIC TERMS

2.1. Information Regarding Bid Form

2.2. Written Questions Deadline

2.3. Bid Submittal Process

2.4. Bid Submittal Deadline

2.5. Term of Agreement

2.6. Payment to Contractor

2.7. Shipping

2.8. Permits and Licenses

2.9. Security Required

2.10. Bid Holding Time

2.11. Additional Information

3. SECTION THREE: TERMS AND CONDITIONS

3.1. Preparation, Submission and Withdrawal of Proposals

3.2. Interpretation of Bid Prices and Mathematical Errors

3.3. Non-Collusion Certification Requirements

3.4. Bidder Representations

3.5. Local Vendor Preference

3.6. Award of Contract

3.7. Notice of Award of Contract

3.8. Contract Document

3.9. Inspections and Testing

3.10. Modification

3.11. Notice to Proceed

3.12. Bidder's Qualifications

3.13. Subcontractors

3.14. Indemnification

3.15. Termination

3.16. State and Local Taxes

3.17. Drug-Free Workplace Act

3.18. Insurance Requirements

3.19. Utilization by Other Public Agencies Clause

3.20. All County Departments Eligible to Purchase

3.21. Confidential Information

3.22. Intellectual Property

4. SECTION FOUR: SAMPLE CONTRACT

4.1. Sample Contract

5. SECTION FIVE: ATTACHMENTS, REQUIRED FORMS AND INFORMATION

5.1. Bid Proposal

5.2. Vendor Questionnaire

Attachments:

A - ATTACHMENT A_Segment Locations_Priority Points_Pictures

B - ATTACHMENT B_March 2025 Waterway Debris Assessment

C - ATTACHMENT C_FHWA-1273 - June 25 2026_Contract Provisions

1. SECTION ONE: SPECIFICATIONS

1.1. Project Overview

Dorchester County is soliciting bids from qualified contractors to provide all labor, supervision, equipment, vessels, tools, materials, transportation, mobilization, safety measures, and incidentals necessary to remove, cut, reposition, secure, process, and/or otherwise address woody debris and natural obstructions along a portion of the Ashley River Scenic Blue Trail.

The Ashley River Scenic Blue Trail is an approximately 30-mile water trail extending from Shultz Lake to Town Creek at Charles Towne Landing. Recent and past storm events have resulted in fallen trees, logjams, woody debris, and other natural obstructions that restrict or prevent recreational navigation within the upper portion of the trail.

The primary project area is the Ashley River between Ashley River Park/Bacons Bridge Road (SC

Highway 165) and Highway 17A. Work shall proceed with priority given to the section beginning at

Bacons Bridge Road and continuing upriver toward Highway 17A.

The intent of this project is to restore safe and continuous motorized recreational navigation while minimizing disturbance to the river, adjacent banks, riparian vegetation, aquatic habitat, and surrounding natural resources.

As noted in Section 2.4 of this solicitation, Substantial Completion of the Work shall be achieved within

One Hundred and Eighty (180) Calendar Days of issuance of Notice to Proceed, with Final Completion achieved within Thirty (30) Calendar Days thereafter.

1.2. General Scope

The Contractor shall inspect and evaluate existing conditions within the project area and perform the work necessary to establish and maintain a continuous navigable passage with a minimum clear width of twenty-five (25) feet, sufficient to accommodate motorized recreational boat access throughout the portion of the trail authorized for clearing.

Work may include, but is not necessarily limited to:

1. Cutting fallen trees, limbs, branches, and other woody material obstructing navigation;

2. Clearing or opening logjams and concentrations of accumulated woody debris;

3. Cutting or trimming partially submerged or submerged woody obstructions that interfere with safe navigation;

4. Repositioning or securing woody material within the river or along the banks when appropriate and consistent with applicable environmental requirements and Best Management Practices;

5. Removing woody material from the waterway when necessary to establish safe navigation or when material cannot appropriately remain within the river;

6. Retrieving, chipping, loading, transporting, processing, beneficially reusing, recycling, and/or disposing of woody material specifically authorized for removal;

7. Removing incidental non-vegetative debris encountered within an obstruction when necessary to safely complete the work;

8. Providing vessels, barges, boats, floating equipment, hand-held equipment, rigging, and other specialized equipment necessary to access and perform work within the river;

9. Protecting existing bridges, kayak launches, docks, utilities, private property, public property, and other improvements from damage during the work; and

10. Protecting the river’s ecosystem and restoring areas disturbed by Contractor operations.

The Contractor shall not perform indiscriminate clearing or remove woody material solely for purposes of clearing the entire width of the river. Work shall be limited to that reasonably necessary to restore safe recreational navigation and accomplish the project objectives.

1.3. Project Limits and Priority of Work

The primary project limits extend from the vicinity of Ashley River Park at Bacons Bridge Road upstream toward Highway 17A, a distance of approximately four (4) to five (5) river miles.

The Contractor shall begin work at or near Bacons Bridge Road and progress upriver toward Highway

17A unless otherwise directed or approved by the County.

The County's first priority is establishment of a safe and continuous navigable passage throughout this section of the Ashley River Scenic Blue Trail. If available funding is insufficient to address all identified work within the project limits, work shall be prioritized beginning at Bacons Bridge Road and proceeding upriver, as directed by the County.

The County may identify particular obstructions or locations as higher priority based upon navigation, safety, accessibility, environmental, or operational considerations.

If available funding is insufficient to complete the entire project area, the County may reduce the authorized scope of work. Any reduced scope shall consist of a continuous navigable segment beginning at a boat ramp suitable for motorized boats and extending upriver through the limits of the authorized clearing. The Contractor shall not create isolated cleared segments that cannot be reached by motorized boat from the applicable access point. Work shall be prioritized beginning at Ashley River Park/Bacons

Bridge Road and proceeding upriver, unless otherwise authorized by the County.

1.4. Existing Conditions and Reference Information

The Ashley River is a natural, tidal waterway. Water levels, currents, access conditions, submerged obstructions, and the location and configuration of woody debris may vary due to tides, rainfall, storms, natural movement of debris, and other conditions.

For informational purposes, Attachment B (March 2025 Waterway Debris Assessment) is included with the solicitation and documents conditions observed following Tropical Storm Debby. Photographs, locations, quantities, and conditions shown in the assessment represent conditions existing at the time of the assessment and are not intended to constitute a complete inventory of the work required under this

Contract.

Bidders shall not rely upon any stated or estimated debris quantities as a representation or guarantee of actual quantities or current field conditions. Conditions may have changed substantially since preparation of the assessment.

The 1000-CY figure included in the March 2025 assessment is not an estimate of chipped material. The assessment quantity and the Bid Form’s evaluation quantities use different measurement bases.

1.5. Bidder Investigation of Conditions

No pre-bid meeting will be conducted.

Each Bidder is responsible for becoming familiar with the project area and conditions affecting performance of the work prior to submitting a Bid.

Bidders are encouraged to independently inspect the accessible portions of the project area, including by water where appropriate and lawful, and shall satisfy themselves as to river conditions, access limitations, tides, debris conditions, equipment requirements, mobilization requirements, disposal requirements, and all other factors that may affect the cost or performance of the work.

Submission of a Bid constitutes acknowledgment that the Bidder has made such investigation as it considers necessary and has accounted for reasonably foreseeable conditions associated with performing work of this nature within the Ashley River.

1.6. SCDNR Best Management Practices

All work shall be performed in accordance with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

(SCDNR) Best Management Practices for Woody Debris Removal for Navigation, as currently published by SCDNR, and all other applicable environmental requirements.

At a minimum, the Contractor shall:

A. Cut only the amount of woody debris reasonably necessary to establish a safe navigation passage that is, at minimum, 25’wide;

B. Leave woody material within the riparian zone whenever feasible, or along the river or channel where appropriate, provided it does not create an unacceptable navigation hazard;

C. Use hand-held tools within the stream channel where required by the SCDNR Best Management

Practices;

D. Secure or reposition freed trunks and large branches when appropriate and authorized;

E. Avoid grubbing or removing treestumps, or root masses from riverbanks;

F. Minimize cutting of living trees and disturbance of existing riparian vegetation;

G. Avoid disturbance of sandbars, gravel bars, riverbanks, wetlands, and other sensitive areas;

H. Minimize turbidity, sedimentation, bank destabilization, and unnecessary disturbance to aquatic habitat;

I. Avoid impacts to threatened or endangered species and protected habitat;

J. Conduct work during appropriate flow and seasonal conditions when required or reasonably practicable;

and

K. Comply with all applicable requirements concerning placement of removed material .

Woody material should remain within the aquatic or adjacent riparian environment when appropriate and consistent with the SCDNR Best Management Practices. Material may be cut, repositioned, or secured as necessary to establish the required navigation passage. Chipping and removal from the project area shall occur only when specifically authorized by the County. Chipped material shall not be placed within wetlands, riverbanks, floodplains, private property, or other areas unless such placement is specifically approved by the County and is consistent with all applicable environmental requirements and authorizations.

Where a conflict exists between the Contractor's preferred means and methods and applicable environmental requirements or Best Management Practices, the more environmentally protective requirement shall govern unless otherwise approved by the appropriate regulatory authority.

Cutting, trimming, repositioning, securing, or otherwise moving woody debris within the waterway or adjacent authorized area as necessary to establish the required navigation passage is included in the applicable lump-sum Navigation Clearing item and shall not constitute Authorized Woody Debris

Removal for separate unit-price payment. Unit-price payment for Authorized Woody Debris Removal and

Processing applies only to material that the County specifically directs to be chipped and removed from its existing aquatic/riparian location.

1.7. Access and Work from the Water

The Contractor shall anticipate that significant portions of the project area may not be accessible by road and that work may be required to be performed primarily from the water.

The Contractor shall be responsible for determining appropriate means and methods for accessing obstructions and transporting personnel, equipment, and removed material.

Access through private property shall not be permitted without prior written authorization from the property owner and approval by the County. The Contractor shall not assume that adjacent private property will be available for staging, access, material handling, or disposal.

The Contractor shall use existing public access locations whenever practicable and shall minimize the creation of new access routes or disturbance of riverbanks and riparian areas.

1.8. Debris Handling and Disposal

Woody material shall be handled in accordance with the SCDNR Best Management Practices and other applicable requirements.

Material that can safely and appropriately remain within the aquatic environment without obstructing the required navigation passage should remain in place, be repositioned, or be secured as appropriate.

Material that requires removal from the project area shall be transported to an authorized staging, processing, recycling, beneficial-use, or disposal location approved by the County and located within thirty (30) road miles of Ashley River Park, located at 200 Renken Road, Summerville, SC 29483. Such material shall not be deposited on private property, wetlands, riverbanks, floodplains, or other areas except as specifically authorized by the County and permitted by applicable laws, regulations, permits, and Best

Management Practices.

If mulching is required, mulch should stay in the riparian zone when feasible. If hauling is necessary, it shall be hauled to County-approved sites, which may include composting sites and/or delivery to dog parks located within Ashley River Park.

The Contractor shall be responsible for all loading, hauling, processing, grinding, and disposal associated with material removed from the project area unless otherwise specifically identified in the Bid Form.

A. County Assistance with Debris Handling: The County anticipates that Public Works/Solid Waste may assist with the handling, processing, transportation, and/or disposal of a limited quantity of woody debris removed from the waterway. Such assistance is subject to the availability and capacity of County personnel, equipment, containers, and facilities and is not guaranteed. When directed by the County, the

Contractor shall transport authorized woody debris from the waterway to a County-provided dumpster, container, or designated staging area located at or near the Ashley River Park boat ramp. The County will assume responsibility for the subsequent handling, processing, transportation, and disposal of material accepted at the designated location. The Contractor shall coordinate placement and loading of material with the County and shall not place material in a County-provided container or staging area without authorization.

1. Woody debris handled under this arrangement shall be paid under the Authorized Woody Debris

Removal – County Haul bid item. The Contractor shall not be entitled to additional compensation for hauling or disposal of material accepted by the County under this item. The County will determine, based upon available capacity and project needs, whether authorized removed material will be handled under the County Haul item or the Contractor Haul item.

B. Measurement for Debris that is Authorized to be Removed: Chipped woody debris shall be measured by the volumetric capacity of the container or hauling vehicle into which the processed material is loaded.

Partial loads shall be estimated to the nearest one-quarter (1/4) of the container's rated capacity. Material shall be reasonably level within the container and shall not be artificially compacted or heaped above the container's normal capacity for purposes of determining payment quantity. The Contractor shall maintain load records identifying the date, container or vehicle, destination, and measured quantity of each load.

1. Woody debris authorized for removal shall be chipped prior to loading unless the County determines that the size, condition, intended beneficial use, disposal method, or other circumstances make chipping impracticable or undesirable.

1.9. Environmental Protection

The Contractor shall perform all work in a manner that minimizes adverse impacts to the Ashley River and surrounding natural resources.

The Contractor shall take appropriate precautions to prevent the release of fuel, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or other pollutants into the river. Fueling and maintenance activities shall be conducted in a manner that minimizes the potential for spills, and appropriate spill-response materials shall be readily available during operations.

The Contractor shall immediately report any spill, release, environmental incident, or observed impact to protected resources to the County and shall perform all required containment, cleanup, reporting, and corrective action.

The Contractor shall provide all boats, barges, floating platforms, vessels, rigging, hand-held cutting equipment, and other marine equipment necessary to safely access and perform the Work. Heavy equipment may be used from barges, floating platforms, upland staging areas, or other lawful locations when consistent with the Contract Documents and applicable environmental requirements. Heavy equipment shall not be driven into or operated directly from the streambed unless specifically authorized by the County and all required regulatory approvals or permits have been obtained.

1.10. Permits, Approvals, and Regulatory Compliance

The Contractor shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, permits, approvals, and requirements governing the work.

The Contractor shall coordinate its proposed means and methods with the County prior to commencing work. The use of equipment, access methods, staging areas, or debris handling practices that require permits or regulatory approvals shall not commence until all applicable approvals have been obtained.

Nothing in the Contract shall authorize the Contractor to enter private property, disturb wetlands, alter riverbanks, remove rooted vegetation, or perform other regulated activities without the required authorization.

The Contractor shall immediately notify the County if field conditions or proposed means and methods indicate that additional environmental review, permitting, consultation, or authorization may be required.

1.11. Protection of Properties and Existing Improvements

The Contractor shall protect all public and private property, bridges, docks, kayak launches, utilities, structures, vegetation, and other improvements from damage resulting from its operations.

Any property damaged as a result of the Contractor's operations shall be repaired or restored at the

Contractor's expense to a condition acceptable to the County and property owner, as applicable.

1.12. Safety and Public Use

The Contractor shall be solely responsible for the safety of its employees, subcontractors, equipment, and operations.

The Contractor shall provide appropriate signage, warning devices, temporary closures, spotters, safety vessels, or other measures necessary to protect workers and members of the public.

The Contractor shall coordinate with the County regarding temporary closure or restriction of public access to affected portions of the Ashley River Scenic Blue Trail.

1.13. Documentation

The Contractor shall maintain documentation sufficient to demonstrate the work performed and quantities for which payment is requested.

Documentation shall include, as applicable:

A. Daily work reports;

B. Locations or approximate GPS coordinates of significant obstruction-removal activities;

C. Before-and-after photographs;

D. Quantities of material removed, processed, hauled, or disposed of when payment is based upon unit quantities;

E. Disposal, recycling, or processing tickets;

F. Equipment and personnel records when required by the Contract; and

G. Other records reasonably requested by the County or required by the funding agency.

Documentation shall be submitted in the form and frequency required by the County.

1.14. Completion and Acceptance

The work will be considered substantially complete when the Contractor has established a safe and continuous recreational navigation passage through the portion of the Ashley River Scenic Blue Trail authorized for work by the County and has completed associated debris handling, cleanup, and restoration.

Completion does not require removal of all woody debris from the river or clearing the entire river width unless specifically directed by the County through an authorized change to the Contract.

The County will inspect the completed work and may require correction of locations where remaining obstructions prevent safe navigation or where Contractor operations have caused unacceptable damage or disturbance.

Final acceptance shall occur after completion of all required corrective work, removal of Contractor equipment and temporary facilities, cleanup of staging and access areas, and submission of required project documentation.

1.15. Federally Funded Project

This project is funded in whole or in part through the Recreational Trails Program administered by the

South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and includes federal funding administered through the Federal Highway Administration.

The Contractor and all subcontractors shall comply with all applicable federal and State funding requirements incorporated into the Contract Documents, including the current required federal contract provisions included in Exhibit C (FHWA-1273 – Revised June 25, 2026_Contract Provisions).

1.16. Locations of Segments Included on Bid Form and Prioritization

A. Attachment A has the information included below and should be used for pricing the segments in the bid form. GPS coordinate ranges for Segments A – E on the Bid Form are outlined below and are not precise.

The County’s prioritization begins at the Ashley River Park Boat Landing and moves upriver.

1. Segment A – W 80.201, N 32.959 to W 80.210, N 32.955

2. Segment B – W 80.210, N 32.955 to W 80.221, N 32.961

3. Segment C – W 80.221, N 32.961 to W 80.230, N 32.964

4. Segment D – W 80.230, N 32.964 to W 80.247, N 32.964

5. Segment E – W 80.247, N 32.964 to W 80.253, N 32.969

A. Below are Priority Clearings indicated by point identification conducted by USACE and included in the

March 2025 assessment. Again, top priority would be Point 25 and move upriver.

1. Point 2: N 32.969489, W 80.249083

2. Point 6: N 32.963063, W 80.236927

3. Point 7: N 32.964500, W 80.232888

4. Point 10: N 32.963046, W 80.228185

5. Point 11: N 32.962322, W 80.227266

6. Point 13: N 32.961248, W 80.221802

7. Point 15: N 32.961103, W 80.221402

8. Point 16: N 32.959346, W 80.217806

9. Point 17: N 32.958357, W 80.216233

10. Point 19: N 32.955491, W 80.212508

11. Point 23: N 32.957223, W 80.204443

12. Point 25: N 32.955225, W 80.197138

1.17. Bidder's Minimum Qualifications

The Bidder shall demonstrate in Section 5.2 (Vendor Questionnaire) that it possesses the experience, personnel, equipment, and organizational capability necessary to safely and successfully perform the

Work. The following are minimum responsibility requirements and will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis.

Information submitted on Form P102 and in response to the Vendor Questionnaire may be considered in determining Bidder responsibility. These requirements will not be comparatively scored or ranked, and exceeding a stated minimum requirement will not result in additional consideration or preference in the determination of award.

A. Comparable Experience. Bidder shall have successfully completed at least three (3) projects within the past seven (7) years involving waterway clearing, marine debris removal, marine construction, tree/debris removal from rivers, streams, canals, lakes, or other navigable waterways, or other work of comparable complexity involving work performed primarily from the water. At least one (1) project shall have included removal, cutting, rigging, repositioning, or handling of large trees or woody debris from a waterway using boats, barges, floating platforms, or comparable marine equipment.

B. Key Personnel. Bidder shall identify a Project Manager/Superintendent who has at least three (3) years of experience supervising marine, waterway-clearing, tree-removal, or comparable work and who will have responsibility for field operations under this Contract.

C. Equipment and Operational Capability. Bidder shall demonstrate access, whether owned, leased, or otherwise committed, to the boats, barges, floating platforms, chipping equipment, rigging, cutting equipment, hauling equipment, safety equipment, and other resources necessary to perform the Work.

Equipment proposed for use shall be appropriate for the environmental and access limitations of the project area.

D. Safety. Bidder shall demonstrate experience conducting work involving chainsaws, rigging, heavy woody material, marine operations, and/or comparable occupational hazards and shall maintain an appropriate safety program for the Work.

E. Licenses and Eligibility. Bidder and its subcontractors shall possess all licenses, registrations, certifications, and authorizations required by applicable law for the Work they will perform and shall be eligible to participate in federally funded contracts.

F. Responsibility. The County may consider references, performance history, available resources, safety record, financial and organizational capacity, integrity, compliance with applicable laws, and other information relevant to determining whether the apparent low Bidder is responsible.

2. SECTION TWO: SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS AND SOLICITATION-SPECIFIC

TERMS

2.1. Information Regarding Bid Form

The electronic Bid Form provided in OpenGov shall be used for submission of all pricing. Estimated quantities are provided solely for purposes of bid evaluation and comparison. Actual quantities may increase or decrease. Payment will be based upon actual authorized and accepted quantities of Work performed, subject to the terms of the Contract and available project funding.

Navigation Clearing – Segments A–E: Navigation Clearing is the Work required to take a given segment from obstructed to accepted and includes cutting, trimming, repositioning, securing, and other Work necessary to establish a continuous navigable passage with a minimum clear width of twenty-five (25) feet, sufficient to accommodate motorized recreational boat access, in accordance with the Contract

Documents and SCDNR Best Management Practices. Cutting, trimming, repositioning, securing, or otherwise moving woody debris within the waterway or adjacent authorized area as necessary to establish the required navigable passage is included in the applicable lump-sum Navigation Clearing item and shall not constitute Authorized Woody Debris Removal and Processing for separate unit-price payment.

Authorized Woody Debris Removal and Processing – Contractor Haul: When specifically required or authorized by the County, this item includes retrieval of woody debris from the waterway, cutting and handling, chipping, loading, and transportation of the processed material to a County-designated or

County-approved beneficial-use, recycling, processing, or disposal location within the specified haul distance. The unit price shall include all labor, equipment, chipping, loading, transportation, and incidental costs necessary to complete the Work. Measurement for payment shall be based upon cubic yards (CY) of processed/chipped woody material.

Authorized Woody Debris Removal and Processing – County Haul: When specifically required or authorized by the County, this item includes retrieval of woody debris from the waterway, cutting and handling, chipping, and placement of the processed/chipped material into a County-provided container or other designated collection area at Ashley River Park. The County will be responsible for subsequent transportation and disposition of material accepted under this item. Measurement for payment shall be based upon cubic yards (CY) of processed/chipped woody material.

Disposal/Processing Fee Allowance: The $5,000 allowance is a fixed amount and shall not be modified by the Bidder. County-authorized third-party disposal or processing fees will be reimbursed at actual documented cost without markup. Hauling, labor, equipment, and other costs are not payable from the allowance. Any unused portion shall remain with the County.

Estimated Quantities: The estimated quantities for Contractor Haul and County Haul are established solely to provide a uniform basis for bid evaluation and do not represent or guarantee the actual quantity of woody debris that will be authorized for removal or the quantity of processed material that will be generated. The County does not guarantee any minimum quantity under either item.

Unit Prices: Unit prices shall include all labor, equipment, vessels, supervision, fuel, tools, insurance, overhead, profit, and incidental expenses necessary to accomplish the applicable Work unless expressly stated otherwise. Unit prices shall remain firm for the duration of the Contract.

Basis of Award: Navigation Clearing segments are arranged in priority order beginning at the motorized boat access point at Ashley River Park and proceeding upriver. The County will determine the number of consecutive segments to be awarded based upon available project funding. Segments will be awarded only in sequential order beginning with Segment A so that all cleared portions of the trail remain continuously accessible by motorized boat from the designated access point.

For purposes of determining the lowest responsive and responsible Bidder, the County will evaluate the total price of the consecutive Navigation Clearing segments selected for award, beginning with Segment

A, together with the full estimated quantities of 750 CY for Contractor Haul and 250 CY for County Haul and the fixed $5,000 Disposal/Processing Fee Allowance. The same selected segments, estimated quantities, and allowance will be applied uniformly to all Bidders.

The County will not skip segments or select nonconsecutive segments for purposes of determining award.

Once the award scope is established, award will be made to the responsive and responsible Bidder submitting the lowest evaluated price for that scope.

2.2. Written Questions Deadline

The last day and time for submittal of written questions shall be no later than Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 8:00 am.

2.3. Bid Submittal Process

Bids must be submitted electronically through the OpenGov Procurement Portal. County Bids may be found by visiting the following link:

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/dorchestercountysc

2.4. Bid Submittal Deadline

Bids will be received until Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 2:00 pm, after which time they will be publicly read. Late bids will not be accepted. Bidders are invited to attend the opening of this bid at the time stated above in the office of the Purchasing Services Division, located at 201 Johnston Street, 2nd

Floor, St. George, SC 29477. Virtual attendance is also available using the instructions below.

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/dorchestercountysc

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2.5. Term of Agreement

Substantial Completion of the Work shall be achieved within One Hundred and Eighty (180) Calendar

Days of issuance of Notice to Proceed, with Final Completion within Thirty (30) Calendar Days thereafter.

2.6. Payment to Contractor

Payment shall be due within thirty (30) days of approved invoices.

2.7. Shipping

Shipping terms shall be F.O.B. Destination.

2.8. Permits and Licenses

The successful Bidder shall, without additional expense to the County, be responsible for obtaining and maintaining all necessary licenses and permits required by the State of South Carolina, a municipality or the County or any other authority having jurisdiction.

2.9. Security Required

2.9.1. Bid Security

Any bid over $25,000 must be accompanied by a bid bond acceptable to the County. Bid bonds must be issued by a corporate surety registered and authorized to do business in the State of South Carolina. Bid bonds shall be payable to the County, shall be for at least five (5%) percent of the total amount of the bid, and shall serve as a guarantee deposit that the bid will be carried out to the complete satisfaction of the

County.

County may request hard copies of electronically submitted bid bonds.

2.9.2. Forfeiture of Bid Security

Nonperformance by the successful Bidder, or its failure to execute the Contract and meet performance and payment bond requirements and insurance requirements within Five (5) Business Days after issuance https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/243968303251355?p=0ye3cNAev3tDLUOJPv https://aka.ms/JoinTeamsMeeting?omkt=en-US https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NjgzMzA5ZWMtMzhlNi00NTQzLWI1ZDUtMGM4Zjc4MjU3Yjkw%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22ad1c42d4-8cee-4e05-8a3b-07ed6968fb6c%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%227dd3faa9-5543-408e-adfa-f5b642ac7e01%22%7d tel:+18437904118,,376309645 https://dialin.teams.cloud.microsoft/914f063f-b72a-4906-a005-c2e9adeec319?id=376309645 of Notice of Award, shall result in its bid security being forfeited as liquidated damages, and the Notice of Award and Contract will be rescinded and awarded to another Bidder. Withdrawal of a bid after the opening date and time but prior to final award after the opening date, may also result in forfeiture of bid security.

2.9.3. Return of Bid Security

Bid security will be returned to all bidders after the successful Bidder has executed the Contract and delivered all required bonds and insurance certificates and endorsements. Bidders will not be entitled to any interest earnings on returned funds, and in the case of bid security by check, such will be returned to bidder.

2.9.4. Payment and Performance Security

The successful Bidder shall provide performance and payment bonds, in a form satisfactory to the County, in the following amounts:

Payment Bond: 100% of the total amount of the Contract.

Performance Bond: 100% of the total amount of the Contract.

The aforesaid payment and performance bonds must be issued by a corporate surety, registered and authorized to do business in South Carolina, and must be counter-signed by a licensed, authorized South

Carolina agent.

Attorneys-in-fact who sign bid bonds or performance bonds must file with each bond a certified and effective, dated copy of their power of attorney.

2.10. Bid Holding Time

Bids must remain valid for at least Ninety (90) days from opening.

2.11. Additional Information

Questions or clarifications concerning this invitation should be posted to the solicitation on the OpenGov

Procurement portal at the link provided above, or directed by email to only Rebecca Dantzler at

RDantzler@DorchesterCountySC.gov. Contact with other County personnel during the bid process may result in a determination of non-responsiveness for any bid submitted by your firm.

mailto:RDantzler@DorchesterCountySC.gov

3. SECTION THREE: TERMS AND CONDITIONS

3.1. Preparation, Submission and Withdrawal of Proposals

A. Bids for this solicitation must be submitted electronically through the County’s OpenGov Procurement

Portal. No other method of submission is authorized.

B. Bids shall not be submitted by email, fax, hand delivery, mail, courier, or any other means. Any bid or pricing information received outside of OpenGov — including bids emailed to County staff — will be considered an unauthorized and non-responsive submission and will not be opened, accepted, or considered.

C. If bid security is required, it may be uploaded electronically through OpenGov. If a bid bond is uploaded electronically, the Purchasing Services Manager may, at their discretion, require the apparent low bidder to provide the original physical bond after bid opening.

D. Dorchester County is not responsible for bids not received due to technical issues, user error, connectivity problems, or failure to complete the submission process in OpenGov prior to the deadline.

E. Bids may be withdrawn by the Bidder prior to the time set for opening of bid, but not thereafter.

F. Bidders shall promptly notify the Dorchester County Purchasing Office, in writing, and no later than the last date and time for the submittal of written questions, of any ambiguity, inconsistency or error which they may discover upon examination of the IFB documents or the project premises and local conditions.

G. Bidders requiring clarification or interpretation of the IFB documents shall make a written request which must be received at the Dorchester County Purchasing Office no later than the last date and time for submittal of written questions.

H. Any interpretation, correction or change of the IFB documents will be made by addendum. It is your responsibility to monitor the Purchasing Services website by selecting Procurement Portal at www.dorchestercountysc.gov/purchasing for any additional information, revisions, or addenda that may be posted.

I. No substitutions will be considered after the Contract award except by amendment or change order.

J. Failure to submit a bid on the form requested or inclusion of any alternates, unit prices, conditions, limitations or provisions not called for, will render the bid irregular; and shall be considered sufficient cause for rejection of a bid. Failure to complete entries in all blanks on the Bid Form shall be considered cause for rejection of a bid.

K. Bidders shall complete all fields within the Bid Form, Schedule of Values, and any pricing tables provided by the County. No pricing line item, cell, or field shall be left blank.All pricing fields shall contain a numeric value. Where no additional charge applies, the Bidder shall enter '0'. Blank fields may be interpreted by the County as an incomplete response and may result in the Bid or Proposal being deemed non-responsive. The County reserves the right to seek clarification of apparent clerical errors;

however, the County is under no obligation to do so.The Bidder/Proposer is solely responsible for http://www.dorchestercountysc.gov/purchasing ensuring that all required pricing information is provided and that the submitted pricing accurately reflects all costs necessary to perform the Work in accordance with the solicitation requirements.

3.2. Interpretation of Bid Prices and Mathematical Errors

A. The unit price shall prevail over the extended price.

B. The sum of the corrected line item totals shall prevail over any stated subtotal or grand total.

C. Words shall prevail over figures where both are provided for the same bid amount.

D. The County reserves the right to correct obvious clerical or mathematical errors and may request written clarification when necessary. Clarification shall not permit modification of the bid or any change that would affect the bidder's competitive position.

3.3. Non-Collusion Certification Requirements

A. Each bid submitted in response to this solicitation shall include an electronic non-collusion certification.

By submitting a bid, the Bidder affirms that its response is genuine and not collusive or sham and that the Bidder has not colluded, conspired, or agreed with any other bidder or person to fix prices, restrict competition, or otherwise undermine the competitive procurement process.The electronic submission of a bid constitutes the Bidder’s legally binding certification and execution of this requirement, and no notarized affidavit is required.

3.4. Bidder Representations

A. Each Bidder by submitting a bid represents that:

1. The Bidder has read and understands this IFB (including all specifications and attachments) and that their bid is made in accordance therewith.

2. The Bidder has reviewed the IFB, has become familiar with the local conditions under which the Work is to be performed, and has correlated personal observations with the requirements of the proposed

Contract Documents.

3. The bid is based on the terms, materials, systems and equipment required by this IFB, without exception.

4. The Bidder is qualified to provide the services and equipment required under this IFB and, if awarded the Contract, will do so in a professional, timely manner using Bidder's best skill and attention.

3.5. Local Vendor Preference

A. Because this project is being funded in part or whole by federal and/or state funds, the County's Local

Vendor Preference Program will not be applicable to this solicitation.

3.6. Award of Contract

A. Award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible Bidder in accordance with the Basis of

Award established in Section 2.1. The County will determine the number of consecutive Navigation

Clearing segments to be awarded based upon available project funding and will evaluate all responsive and responsible Bidders using the same selected segments, estimated unit-price quantities, and fixed allowance. Responsibility will be determined in accordance with the minimum responsibility requirements of this solicitation and will not be comparatively scored or ranked.

B. The County reserves the right to reject any or all Bids, reject any part of a Bid as permitted by applicable procurement requirements, and waive informalities, technical defects, and minor irregularities that do not affect price, quantity, quality, or the competitive standing of Bidders. Any award shall be made in accordance with the Basis of Award established in Section 2.1.

C. The County reserves the right to request from the apparent low Bidder financial statements or other information reasonably necessary to determine whether the Bidder is responsible in accordance with the requirements of this solicitation.

D. For debriefings, protests and appeals after the award of a contract, contractors are advised to consult the

Procurement Policy Manual located on the Dorchester County website at:

www.dorchestercountysc.gov/purchasing.

3.7. Notice of Award of Contract

A. The successful Bidder will be notified of acceptance of bid by a written Notice of Award of contract. The successful Bidder shall not undertake any work, and the County will not be responsible for payment for any work whatsoever undertaken by successful Bidder prior to execution of the contract by both parties.

B. The successful Bidder shall be required to submit acceptable Insurance Certificate(s) and Endorsement(s) within Five (5) Business Days after the issuance of the Notice of Award.

3.8. Contract Document

A. The successful Bidder shall be required to execute a formal contract within Ten (10) business days after issuance of a Letter of Intent to Award.

B. Said Contract shall be virtually identical in substance and form to the Sample Contract contained herein.

The only anticipated changes will be to include additional exhibits, to fill in the blanks to identify the successful Bidder, and terms relating to compensation, or to revise the contract to accommodate corrections, changes in the scope of work, or changes pursuant to addenda issued prior to the bid opening.

C. Because the signed contract will be substantively and substantially derived from the Sample Contract, Bidder is urged to seek independent legal counsel as to any questions about the terms, conditions or provisions contained in the Sample Contract, before submitting a bid. Again, the Sample Contract, contains important legal provisions and is considered part and parcel of this IFB.

D. Bidders should raise any questions regarding the terms of the Contract, or submit requested changes in said terms, in the form of written questions or submittals, subject to the deadline for questions.

E. Failure or refusal to sign aforesaid Contract shall be grounds for the County to revoke any Letter of Intent to Award which has been issued, for the bidder to forfeit their bid security, and for the County to award the Contract to another Bidder.

3.9. Inspections and Testing

http://www.dorchestercountysc.gov/purchasing

A. Unless otherwise specified and if applicable, Geotechnical and Special Inspection testing and SWPPP inspections / monitoring shall be by the Owner’s third-party agent and are not part of the Contract Sum.

Inspections and tests not explicitly assigned to Owner are Contractor’s responsibility. Costs for retesting and reinspection construction that replaces or is necessitate by work that failed to comply with the Contract

Documents will be charged to Contractor, and the Contract Sum will be adjusted by Change Order.

3.10. Modification

A. The County has defined this section in the Sample Contract.

3.11. Notice to Proceed

A. A Notice to Proceed will be issued after the successful Bidder has executed the Contract and has submitted acceptable performance and payment bonds (if applicable) to the County as well as other submittals specified herein as required to be delivered before the Notice to Proceed is issued.

B. The successful Bidder shall not deliver any equipment to the work site or commence work until the successful Bidder has received a written Notice to Proceed from the Purchasing Services Manager.

3.12. Bidder's Qualifications

A. The County may request additional information from the apparent low Bidder when reasonably necessary to verify compliance with the minimum responsibility requirements of this solicitation or otherwise determine responsibility. Any such information shall be used for responsibility determination purposes and shall not be comparatively scored or ranked.

3.13. Subcontractors

A. If any subcontractors will be used for this project, the successful Bidder shall provide to the Purchasing

Services Manager a list of names of any of the intended subcontractors, the subcontractor's applicable license number(s), and a description of the work to be done by each subcontractor on the Subcontractor

Data Report Form included herein.

B. The successful Bidder shall not substitute other subcontractors without the written consent of the

Purchasing Services Manager.

C. The successful Bidder shall be responsible for all services performed by a subcontractor as though they had been performed by the successful Bidder. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, compliance with any applicable licensing regulations.

D. If at any time the Purchasing Services Manager determines that any subcontractor is incompetent or undesirable, the director shall notify the successful Bidder accordingly, and the successful Bidder shall take immediate steps for cancellation of the subcontract and replacement.

E. Nothing contained in any contract resulting from this IFB shall create any contractual relationship between any subcontractor and the County.

F. It shall be the successful Bidder’s responsibility to ensure that all terms required in the attached Contract are incorporated into all subcontracts.

3.14. Indemnification

A. The County has defined this section in the Sample Contract.

3.15. Termination

A. The County has defined this section in the Sample Contract.

3.16. State and Local Taxes

A. Except as otherwise provided, Contract prices shall include all applicable state and local taxes.

B. The successful Bidder shall calculate that portion of the Contract which is subject to the seven percent

(7%) sales and/or use tax, which amount shall be itemized and shown on all invoices, and shall be paid to

South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) by Contractor. If the successful Bidder is a non-South

Carolina company, the County will withhold said amount from all invoices and remit payment to the

SCDOR, unless the Contractor furnishes County with a valid South Carolina Use Tax Registration

Certificate Number.

C. The successful Bidder shall indemnify and hold harmless the County for any loss, cost, or expense incurred by, levied upon or billed to the County as a result of the successful Bidder’s failure to pay any tax of any type due in connection with this Contract.

D. The successful Bidder shall ensure that the above sections are included in all subcontracts and sub-subcontracts, and shall ensure withholding on out of state sub and sub- subcontractors to which withholding is applicable.

3.17. Drug-Free Workplace Act

A. By submitting an offer, Bidder certifies that, if awarded a contract, Bidder will comply with all applicable provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Act, Section 44-107-10, et seq., South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, as amended.

3.18. Insurance Requirements

The successful bidder shall procure, maintain, and provide proof of, insurance coverage for injuries to persons and/or property damage as may arise from or in conjunction with, the work performed on behalf of the County by the bidder, his agents, representatives, employees or subcontractors. Proof of coverage as contained herein shall be submitted prior to the commencement of work and such coverage shall be maintained by the bidder for the duration of the contract period; for occurrence policies.

3.18.1. General Liability

A. Coverage shall be as broad as: Comprehensive General Liability endorsed to include Broad Form, Commercial General Liability form including Products/Completed Operations.

Minimum Limits - General Liability:

$1,000,000 General Aggregate Limit

$1,000,000 Products & Completed Operations

$1,000,000 Personal and Advertising Injury

$1,000,000 Each…