Gwynns Island Reef Ball Deployment - Scope of work.pdf

Quick Quote – Virginia Marine Resources Commission

Gwynn’s Island Reef Ball Deployment I. REQUEST TITLE: The Virginia Artificial Reef Program is seeking a contracted company to carry out the deployment of concrete reef structures at the Gwynn’s Island Reef site. The VMRC artificial reef program alongside CCA Northern Neck chapter expects to have approximately 240 concrete reef structures ready at the time of deployment, comprised concrete tetrahedrons and dome-style reef balls. Tetrahedrons, averaging approximately 160 lbs. each are expected to comprise most of the deployment, while traditional dome-style reef structures averaging between 200 and 300 lbs. each may also be included.

Both structures have capability to be stacked on top of each other on the barge. A barge capable of carrying the reef structures as well as a long reach excavator to drop the reef balls overboard is required. The capability to spud the barge is preferred so that reef structures may be placed tightly to optimize the relief on the bottom. Dockage has been secured at Milford Haven Coast Guard Station with accessibility for barge dockage next to the bulkhead and a place for the truck to pull alongside and unload reef balls.

II. SCOPE OF WORK/STATEMENT OF NEEDS:

a. DESCRIPTION:

The project will consist of placement of approximately 240 engineered reef structures to a marked location at the Gwynn’s Island Artificial Reef located 1.35 nautical miles outside of Hole in the Wall creek. Any structure placed at this site must have a minimum of 14 ft of water over the top of the structure at mean low water. Prior to the deployment day, the specific deployment site within the reef will be identified for acceptable deployment location based on water depth and existing material location. The contractor will be responsible for loading, transporting, and deploying reef structures to the marked site. All materials are to be available for inspection prior to and during loading (by

VMRC staff). Structures not deemed suitable by the VMRC staff will not be deployed and must be taken back to the loading point by the contractor. A single-day deployment is preferred.

b. DESCRIPTION OF MATERIALS:

Approximately 240 concrete reef forms will be deployed. The first type is the traditional dome style reef ball structure averaging between 200-300lbs. The second type of structure is the pyramid style reef ball. These structures average approximately 160lbs. Both structures have the capability to be stacked on top of each other on the barge.

Dome Reef Ball- 3ft tall by 3ft wide (200-300lbs)

Pyramid Reef Ball- 4ft tall by 4ft wide (160lbs)

c. LOADING OF MATERIALS:

The contractor will provide all suitable barges, handling and loading equipment and will handle and load the materials for transport from the loading area. A representative or representatives from the Artificial Reef Program/Fisheries Management Division will periodically inspect loading progress. The contractor will have to ensure the barge is accessible to Reef Program/Fisheries Management Division personnel during loading.

d. CHESAPEAKE BAY DEPLOYMENT OF MATERIALS:

The previously described materials will be deployed, to the Gwynn Island reef location. The Gwynn’s Island Reef is located approximately 1 nautical mile outside the mouth of Hole in the Wall Creek. The reef site ranges in depths of 15 to 25ft. The minimum authorized clearance is 14ft.

Gwynn Island Reef Located at 37-28.878 N / 076-14.227 W, with a required minimum clearance of 14 Ft. @ MLW.

Decimal Degrees: 76.238382, 37.4810561

Operations associated with deployment of reef materials include:

Proper loading of the materials on a seaworthy barge of suitable design for transport of the described materials; transport of the materials to the permitted reef site; positioning the barge so that materials are off-loaded in the precise location indicated by Artificial Reef Program/Fisheries Management Division personnel (who will meet the barge and tug on location and place a marker buoy or buoys as necessary) and safely off-load the materials with the proper clearance.

In reference to these operations, the following conditions must be observed:

1) Materials loaded onto the contractor’s barge(s) must be properly loaded and secured to allow for their safe transport on Chesapeake Bay.

2) The tug towing the loaded barge should be sufficiently powered and otherwise equipped for towing.

3) The tug should also be sufficiently powered and maneuverable for effective position and station keeping during all phases of the off-loading process.

4) The tug should be equipped with a working, accurate GPS receiver and other marine electronics, including an operational VHF radio.

5) Any machinery used to off-load materials should be appropriate to the task at hand, sufficiently powered and maneuverable and capably operated to ensure efficient, accurate and safe off-loading of materials.

6) Consistent communications are required during the operation between the tug, barge and Artificial Reef Program/Fisheries Management Division personnel on site.

7) The contractor must ensure that all appropriate insurance coverage needed for this work is current.

8) Coast Guard authorized minimum clearances will be observed during deployment operations. The

Reef Program will have a vessel on site to support off-loading operations by marking the deployment location(s) and periodically verifying clearances. In order to check the profile of materials as placed, the Reef Program vessel will radio the deployment crew, notify them to halt operations, and conduct sweeps over the area of placement. Once clearances are verified, the deployment crew will be notified to resume operations. In the event of a clearance infraction, the deployment crew will be required to take the necessary action(s) to remedy the situation.

9) Deployments will be conducted during daylight hours and not without Reef Program personnel present.

10) The Artificial Reef Program reserves the right to halt or cancel operations if on-site personnel consider weather conditions hazardous.

11) The Commonwealth will not take title to the referenced material.

12) The Commonwealth will not be responsible for the cost of transportation or deployment of the referenced material other than positioning and monitoring support during deployment operations.

13) The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any actions resulting from placement of the referenced material.

14) In the event of any infraction of any of these reef terms, the deployment crew will be required to take the necessary action(s) to remedy the infraction.

The contractor should attempt to provide Artificial Reef Program/Fisheries Management Division personnel with 48 hours notice prior to the intended deployment of any materials and

24 hours notice of cancellation of any scheduled deployment. Artificial Reef Program/Fisheries Management Division personnel will coordinate with the contractor regarding schedules, planned operations and specific deployment locations. Deployments must meet the scheduling requirements of the Artificial Reef Program Personnel, and the Artificial Reef Program reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a deployment for any reason. Deployments are to be conducted weekdays (Monday through Friday), between sunrise and sunset. A reef program vessel will be on site to monitor the deployment operation. The vessel will be equipped with an operating fathometer to ensure appropriate clearance is being maintained. The reef program vessel will periodically halt deployment operations, as well as at the request of the contractor, to make transect runs over the immediate placement location to verify clearance. No deployments will be conducted unless Artificial Reef Program/Fisheries Management Division personnel are present. Infractions of clearance will be remediated by the contractor at the time of discovery, on-site. In the event that equipment or other failures preclude immediate remediation of a clearance infraction, the contractor shall station a vessel to remain on location until such infraction is corrected.

Weather, especially sea conditions, is a critical factor in assuring safe and effective deployment of reef materials. For this reason, deployment operations will only be initiated when the sea conditions in the operations area no greater than 1.5 to 2.0 feet in height, and wind speeds are no higher than 10 knots, as forecasted by the NOAA weather office in Wakefield, Virginia, unless other is agreed upon by Artificial Reef Program/Fisheries Management Division personnel and the contractor. The final decision to proceed will be with the contractor; however, THE ARTIFICIAL REEF PROGRAM/FISHERIES

MANAGEMENT DIVISION RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SUSPEND OFF-LOADING OPERATIONS IF

POSITIONING AND OTHER DEPLOYMENT CRITERIA ARE NOT BEING MET.

Completion date is as soon as possible but no later than September 16, 2024.

Bid Price to include loading, transporting and deploying all reef structures to the marked reef site $_________________________