46-dncr-26-2147 repost RFP

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is soliciting proposals for water taxi passenger services at the USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial in Wilmington under RFP 46-DNCR-26-2147 REPOST, with proposals due July 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET and a site visit urged for July 1 at 11:00 AM ET.

Vendors must demonstrate a minimum of three years of business experience providing water taxi or marine passenger services. Required certifications include a U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection and Merchant Mariner Credentials for crew members. Vendors must be registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State and in good standing with the Electronic Vendor Portal (eVP).

The scope requires operation of vessels capable of transporting a minimum of six passengers plus one wheelchair, with service ideally provided seven days a week, 365 days annually during Battleship operating hours (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, noon to 5:00 PM on Christmas). The vendor must provide stops at a minimum of two designated landing/pickup spots on the Wilmington riverfront at least once per hour during standard operating hours.

Compensation is structured as a monthly docking fee of no less than $500 or a vendor-proposed amount, whichever is greater, and a monthly license fee of no less than $500 or eight percent of gross revenue from concession sales, special event sales, educational program revenue, dock management, and kayak launch operations, whichever is greater. Insurance requirements include Commercial General Liability ($2,000,000 combined single limit), Automobile coverage ($2,000,000), Employer's Liability ($1,000,000), and Maritime Liability Insurance.

The contract term is three years from the effective date of award, with extension rights reserved by the State. Evaluation uses a best value method prioritizing technical approach, responses to specific questions, project organization, vendor experience, and licensing/docking fees. Written questions are due July 7, 2026, with responses provided July 9. The State reserves the right to award to a single vendor, make separate awards, waive minor informalities, or cancel the RFP entirely. Proposals must be submitted via the Ariba Sourcing Tool.