1450-26-R-IFBD-00008

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) has issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for the Ingalls Artificial Reef Material Deployment project, specifically targeting the transportation and deployment of approximately 607 tons of steel modules donated by Ingalls Shipbuilding. The project requires contractors to transport these materials from a bulkhead in Pascagoula to reef sites located 20 to 26 miles south of Pascagoula. Bidders must possess two barges with a minimum carrying capacity of 800 tons each and provide two professional references. The bid is scheduled to be issued on September 10, 2025, with a submission deadline of October 21, 2025, at 10:00 AM CST. A non-mandatory site visit is recommended and must be pre-scheduled with MDMR and Ingalls before September 18, 2025, with the actual visit planned for September 24, 2025. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, subject to approval by the Public Procurement Review Board. Evaluation criteria will include the ability to meet technical specifications, transportation capabilities, and compliance with federal and state regulations.

Bidders must be registered in Mississippi's Accountability System for Government Information and Collaboration (MAGIC) and are required to provide evidence of insurance, including general liability coverage. The project does not specify specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. The contract term is initially one year, with an option to renew for an additional successive year under the same terms and conditions. The project is funded, in whole or in part, by a grant from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, though specific budget or award value details are not explicitly stated in the documentation. Contractors will be responsible for transporting steel modules, deploying them at predetermined reef sites, and potentially enhancing existing artificial reefs damaged by storm or subsidence. No incumbent vendors are mentioned in the provided documentation, and there are no specific restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond to the solicitation beyond the technical and logistical requirements outlined in the bid documents.