9280-26-R-IFBD-00032

The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory is soliciting sealed bids for Reef Augmentation #2, a specialized construction and materials delivery project focused on enhancing experimental oyster reef plots in Mississippi Sound. The primary deliverable involves supplying and applying 800 cubic yards of #57 limestone gravel (particle size 0.5" to 1.0") across eight designated one-acre reef plots at four 50-acre lease areas—two in western Mississippi Sound near Bay St. Louis (Northern and Southern lease areas) and two in eastern Mississippi Sound near West Pascagoula River (Western and Eastern lease areas). The contractor must deliver 100 cubic yards of material per plot to plots 3 and 4 at each site location using an F.O.B. Destination Freight Allowed basis as a single purchase. This second phase augmentation follows base reef construction completed in 2024 with #4 limestone gravel and a first augmentation phase executed in May 2025. Work completion is required within a designated bi-weekly window during spring-summer 2026 (April-July 2026), with specific timing to be coordinated between the University and contractor. Quality control will be verified through side-scan sonar imagery before and after material application, with spatial accuracy required within 10 meters of designated reef plot edges and even material distribution across existing reef profiles. Sealed bids must be submitted by 2:00 p.m. CDT on Thursday, March 19, 2026, to the USM Gulf Coast Research Laboratory Procurement office at 703 E. Beach Dr., Ocean Springs, Mississippi, with electronic submission also available through the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration website. Bid responses must include one signed original, two copies, and one electronic version on a virus-free USB drive, along with a certified check or bidder's bond equal to five percent of the total bid price. All contractors must quote their lead time for material acquisition and provide technical support coordination with USM personnel, with a one-year warranty obligation to repair or replace any defective work.

The solicitation documents do not identify any set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise requirements, or restrictions limiting eligible bidders based on business classification, though the University of Southern Mississippi is noted as an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available procurement documents. The successful bidder will be required to furnish a performance and payment bond equal to one hundred percent of the contract amount, with both bonds signed or countersigned by a Mississippi resident agent, establishing a significant compliance requirement for contract execution. Standard Mississippi payment terms of two percent discount for payment within ten days or net payment within 45 days will apply to this contract. No specific contract award value or budget range is disclosed in the available solicitation materials; however, interested vendors should direct questions regarding pricing, specifications, and technical requirements to Millissa Weaver at millissa.stork@usm.edu or (228) 818-8001 to obtain additional cost and scope information necessary for bid preparation.