ERDC REEF AUGMENTATION ENHANCEMENT 1.docx.crdownload

Bid # 25-02 GCRL/ University of Southern Mississippi Experimental Oyster Reef Site Plot Enhancement 1

1.0 Introduction

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Gulf Coast Research Laboratory is seeking to procure a contractor to augment multiple one acre oyster reef plots (2 per lease area) within four 50-acre lease areas, including surficial enhancements of #57 limestone gravel substrate to the designated plots at time TBD in the spring-summer of 2025.

2.0 Specifications

2.1 GENERAL PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS

Adherence to timing and precision of gravel applications within delineated plots is critical to the success of this project. Prescribed quantities of material must be spread evenly across created reef plots within boundaries as defined by GPS coordinates within the NAD83 CRS as specified in Tables 1 and 2 below. The contractor must immediately notify USM project manager of any anticipated deviation from the specified times and placements of gravel application, and remediation pursued. A quality control procedure involving side-scan sonar imagery will ensue before and after the application period to ensure specifications were followed.

Vendor should quote the lead time required for obtaining the materials and conducting the work for the quoted contract. All required materials for the augmentation should be acquired as a one-time purchase. All required permits have been obtained by the contractee. Sealed bid responses to be received by 2:00 PM CDT on Friday, October 25, 2024 (see specifications below).

2.2 REQUIREMENTS

The following specifications are to ensure that the contractor performs the tasks necessary to satisfy the project’s objectives. Any deviation from the following specifications must be explained, justified and rectified.

Bidder shall meet or exceed the following specifications:

· four 50-acre lease areas

· see Figs 1-3, below

· two in western MS Sound and two in Eastern MS Sound

· Geographic coordinates of lease areas specified in table 1 below

· Eight one-acre pre-existing plots per lease area

· six of which have established base reefs

· Base reefs for 24 one-acre reef plots were created

· Within six plots at each of the four sites

· Base reefs were completed in two phases in spring and summer of 2024

· One site was completed within each area of MS Sound during each phase

· Each 1-acre base reef plot received 800 cubic yards (~6” base depth) of number 4 limestone gravel

· to fulfill this bid, surficial enhancement will be conducted at time TBD in spring-summer of 2025 (TBD - March-June 2025)

· Augmentation time window to be arranged between contractee and contractor

· Surficial enhancement of 2 of the 6 one-acre base reef plots

· For the same two plots (plots 5 & 7) within each of the four sites (See Figs. 4-5 below)

· even dispersion of surficial enhancement treatments

· 100 cubic yards of No. 57 limestone per one-acre plot

· four other base reef plots at each site do not receive the enhancement

· the two plots without base reef at each site also do not receive the enhancement

· GPS coordinates of individual plots are predetermined

· Side-scan profiles of base reefs within base-reef plots are available from contractee

· See Tables 1 and 2 below for GPS coordinates for lease areas and plots in NAD83 CRS

· Or in NAD 83 Mississippi State Plane feet

· See Figures 4 and 5 below for layout configuration of plots within lease areas:

· Plots (one-acre) arranged near perimeter of 50-acre lease areas

· Bare substrate areas interdigitate with experimental plots

· Interspersion of treatments being maintained

· Reef Material for augmentation

· #57 LIMESTONE GRAVEL – particle size = 0.5" – 1.0"

· Estimated 1 cu yd = 1.2 ton

· Total particle size range of 3/16 – 1.5”

· Gravel largely consists of 3/8 - 1.0” range

· To be applied to two one-acre plots per lease area (see Tables 1 and 2, and Figs. 4 and 5 below)

· applications of limestone gravel enhancement to be made evenly across existing base reef profiles

· preexisting base plots of 800 cubic yards of #4 limestone

· deposited within predefined boundaries of experimental plots

· even application of surficial enhancement treatments on existing base reefs

· 100 cubic yards of #57 limestone gravel per enhanced one-acre plot

· Plot specifications

· Six plots per lease area have existing base reefs

· Two of the six base plots at each site to receive the surficial enhancement

· i.e., two surficial enhancement plots per lease area

· four lease areas x two 1-acre plots of surficial enhancement treatments = 8 surficial acres total to be enhanced for this bid

· Labor and deployment costs:

· Deploy this surficial enhancement in late spring to early summer of 2025 (t1) (see Fig 5)

· Plot numbers 5 and 7 to be enhanced at each of the four sites

· Deploy second surficial enhancements TBD (not included in this bid) (t2)

· Performance criteria:

· Prescribed quantities of material must be spread evenly across created base reefs within reef plot boundaries

· Base reef profiles roughly doughnut shaped within plot boundaries

· Barges were tethered to plot center and moved around vis small tug while distributing gravel for base reefs

· Base reefs to serve as targets for this augmentation

· Timing of gravel applications should occur within a designated bi-weekly period

· Spatial accuracy of applications to within 10 m of designated plot boundaries

· Contractor must immediately notify USM project manager of any anticipated deviation from the specified times and placements of gravel application

· A quality control procedure will ensue before and following each application period to ensure applications adhered to specifications

· Non-compliance with contract specifications subject to nonpayment.

Table 1. Site boundary GPS coordinates - CRS = NAD83 - Subtidal depth ranges for lease sites: UEBN = 3-6 feet; UEBS = 5-8 feet; UEPW = 5-6 feet; UEPE = 4-5 feet.

Table 2. Specification of plot coordinates along with their numbers within the designated lease sites (see diagram below) – Plots are numbered from left to right starting from upper left corner of each site and going across and down – corners of plots: UL – upper left; UR upper right; LL – lower left; LR - lower right. NA – not applicable; Base – base reef 800 cubic yards per acre applied in spring and summer of 2024 (~6” base depth) (i.e., at time 0); Enhancement = 100 cubic yards/acre application of # 57 limestone gravel (i.e., at time 1) (see diagram below). GPS coordinate reference system (crs) = NAD83. For this bid, plot numbers 5 and 7 are designated for surficial enhancement within each of the four sites.

Zone

Relative Postn

Site Label

Plot

ID

Enhancement Spring (2025)

UL

Lat

UL

Long

UR

Lat

UR

Long

LL

Lat

LL

Long

LR

Lat

LR

Long

Fig. 1. Experimental Site Locations in Mississippi Sound.

Fig. 2. Experimental Site Locations in Eastern MS Sound

Fig 3. Experimental Site Locations in Western MS Sound

Figure 4. Plots numbered from left to right starting at upper left and going across and down: top row from left to right: Plot 1, Plot 2, Plot 3; middle row from left to right: Plot 4, Plot 5; bottom row from left to right: Plot 6, Plot 7, Plot 8. For this bid, plot numbers 5 and 7 are designated for surficial enhancement within each of the four sites. See table 1 for site coordinates and table 2 for plot coordinates, site relationships, and treatment designations.

Figure 5. Example lease area UEPW, showing layout and configuration of plots as well as base and treatment applications. This bid pertains to augmentation of plot 5 and plot 7 only. Relative spatial positions and plot number designations will remain the same across all four lease areas.

2.4 CUSTOMER SUPPORT

The vendor should be willing to work with personnel of The University of Southern Mississippi to resolve any technical issues associated with deployment of the material within acceptable tolerances. It is preferred that the vendor can provide technical service through remote access and/or on‐site technical support.

2.5 SAFETY

Prescribed and appropriate safety procedures should be followed while fulfilling the contract.

Emergency stop procedures should be established.

2.6 WARRANTY

Bidder warrants that the work performed shall be free from defects in materials used, accuracy and areal tolerance of the substrate applications. Defective or inaccurate completion of the work shall be rectified to the mutual satisfaction of the and workmanship under normal use and service with obligation to repair or replace any parts, which are proven defective, within one year from delivery.

2.7 WARRANTY

Each bid shall be accompanied by a Certified Check on a solvent bank or a Bidder’s Bond issued by a Surety Company licensed to operate in the State of Mississippi, in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total bid price, payable to the University of Southern Mississippi as bid security. Bidders shall also submit a current financial statement, if requested by the University. The successful bidder will be required to furnish a performance and payment bond in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the contract amount. Both bonds shall be signed or counter-signed by a Mississippi Resident Agent.

2.8 DELIVERY

Vendor should quote the lead time required for obtaining the materials and conducting the work for the quoted contract. All required materials for the entire project should be acquired as a one-time purchase. Quoted prices should be F.O.B. Destination Freight Allowed.

3.0 Points of Contact

For questions, contact Millissa Stork at: millissa.stork@usm.edu

4.0 Submission Instructions to Bidders

One (1) signed original, two (2) copies, and one (1) portable virus/malware free electronic version (USB jump drive) of the sealed bid response (if electronic copy is not included, USM reserves the right to request an electronic copy of the exact bid response prior to review of the bid), subject to the conditions made a part hereof, will be received by 2:00 PM CDT on Friday, October 25, 2024 in the USM/Gulf Coast Research Lab Procurement office, as indicated in the General Terms, Conditions, and Instructions to Bidders described herein. It is the responsibility of the respondent to ensure that the proposal package arrives in the Procurement Office.

Each bid must be submitted in a sealed envelope bearing on the outside the name “Bid# 25-02 GCRL/ University of Southern Mississippi - Lease Area Oyster Reef Plot Enhancement 1,” the name of the Vendor, and the opening date specified on the coversheet.

For US mail, FedEx, UPS, or other express couriers the proposal should be addressed as follows:

The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Lab Attn: Millissa Stork 703 East Beach Drive Ocean Springs, MS 39564 Bid# 25-02 Hand‐carried responses should be brought to: USM/Gulf Coast Research Lab Attn: Millissa Stork Oceanography Building, Room 148 Ocean Springs, MS 39564 Bid# 25-02

As an alternative to traditional sealed proposals in envelopes, the University of Southern Mississippi can receive electronic bid responses. While this option is available, it is not required, and we ask that all potential respondents keep in mind that with any electronic system there could be delays or glitches with the submission process; therefore the University highly encourages traditional sealed responses which are either mailed or submitted in person. Additionally, the University will not be responsible for issues with attempted submissions of bids using the electronic method.

Please note that emailed bids will not be accepted.

Should a vendor choose to submit their response electronically, please follow the instructions below using the following website:

https://www.ms.gov/dfa/contract_bid_search/Home/Sell.

On this site you will find helpful links to procurement opportunities, as well as a link to supplier registration. If not already registered in this system, potential bidders will first need to click on ‘Supplier Registration’ and follow the steps outlined (a one‐time process). Once registered, suppliers can return to the original website and click on ‘Procurement Opportunities’ where they can either search by keyword for the bid they desire to respond to or leave the search box blank and click ‘Search’ for a listing of all current bids and proposals for the various State of Mississippi offices.

When submitting an electronic bid, the bid must be submitted in “pdf” format and shall contain the same information and forms as required for the paper bids. Electronic bids must be secured with a bid bond. When submitting a bid electronically, the authorized signature shall be an electronic signature or handwritten in blue-ink signature. In the event that an electronically submitted bid has a corrupted attachment, the bid will be considered null and void. When bids are submitted electronically, the requirement for including a certificate of responsibility, or a statement that the bid enclosed does not exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), on the exterior of the bid envelope shall be deemed in compliance by including the same information as an attachment with the electronic bid submittal.

Any bid may be withdrawn prior to scheduled time for the opening of bids or authorized postponement thereof. Any bid received after the time and date specified will not be considered.

The University of Southern Mississippi reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids and to waive any formalities.

The University of Southern Mississippi reserves the right to accept or reject optional line items included in the bid response.

Vendors are responsible for examining all specifications, terms, conditions, and instructions of this request. Failure to do so will be at Vendor’s risk.

To ensure all interested bidders receive any addenda that may be issued, proposers must email their intent to propose using the Intent to Bid link on the USM Bid Calendar under Bid 25-02 prior to the deadline to submit:

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