Notice_of_Intent_to_Sole_Source_07-25-2023.pdf

This is a Notice of Intent to Sole Source issued by the Pinellas County Administrative Services Purchasing & Risk Management Division in Florida, relating to an Artificial Reef Tire Removal Project. The Pinellas County Solid Waste Department is soliciting proposals for marine salvage and debris removal services to remove approximately 3,300 tires from five artificial reef areas located off the Pinellas County coast: the Clearwater Artificial Reef (320 acres, approximately 2,900 tires), Rube Allyn Reef Area (220 acres, approximately 160 tires), St. Pete Beach Artificial Reef (60 acres, approximately 60 tires), Treasure Island Artificial Reef (85 acres, approximately 70 tires), and Madeira Beach Artificial Reef (85 acres, approximately 110 tires). Recovered materials must be transported via vessels capable of operating in coastal Gulf waters up to 50 feet depth and 20 nautical miles offshore and unloaded into County-provided containers at the Artificial Reef Program Staging Area located at Sand Key Park, 1060 Gulf Boulevard, Clearwater, Florida. The question submission deadline is March 31, 2026 at 12:00 p.m., with proposals due electronically through OpenGov by April 16, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. No site visits or pre-bid conferences are scheduled. The contract term is twelve months from the date of award with one optional twelve-month renewal period available at the same prices, terms, and conditions subject to County approval.

Contractors must submit pricing as lump sum unit costs for mobilization and tire removal/transport/unloading services for each of the five reef locations, with all costs remaining firm for the contract duration and inclusive of all personnel, materials, labor, equipment, profit, and overhead. No performance security is required. Contractors must demonstrate at least five years of experience in marine salvage or debris removal from sensitive habitats and provide references from four customers for similar services. All contractors must complete and submit notarized affidavits including a Human Trafficking Affidavit, Common Carrier Attestation, Foreign Countries of Concern Affidavit, and E-Verify system registration. Contractors must obtain and maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including workers' compensation, commercial general liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit), business automobile liability ($1,000,000), excess/umbrella liability ($1,000,000), and watercraft liability ($1,000,000). All work must comply with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Environmental Best Management Practices and Project Design Criteria addressing sensitive habitat protection, protected species management, daylight-only operations, turbidity control measures, and archaeological site protection. Work shall be performed Monday through Friday unless authorized for weekend operations with 48-hour notice. The County will obtain any required Environmental Resource Permit through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection at no cost to the contractor, and the contractor may utilize the County's staging area for equipment mooring at no cost subject to a no-cost Facility Use Agreement. No incumbent vendor or budget range information is provided in the solicitation documents.