Acushnet River Rowing Floating Dock

The City of New Bedford, through its Department of Parks Recreation & Beaches, is soliciting sealed bids for the Construction and Installation of a Floating Dock System on the Acushnet River. The project scope encompasses comprehensive dock infrastructure development, including permitting, mobilization, staging, fabrication, and installation of specific components such as floating dock sections, an aluminum ramp, anchors, and a precast concrete slab/beam. Specific project deliverables include one 10' x 120' floating dock assembled in sections, a 40' x 16' aluminum ramp, two 40' aluminum stiff arms with crossing cables, three to four precast concrete gravity anchors, and a concrete slab for ramp connection. A mandatory site visit is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 1:00 pm located at 720 Belleville Avenue, New Bedford. Sealed bids will be received electronically via BidNet Direct until Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 2:00 pm, with an estimated project completion date of Fall 2026. Contractors must provide a 5% bid security and be prepared to submit documentation demonstrating OSHA safety training, tax compliance, and corporate authorization. The City will award the contract to the lowest responsible and eligible bidder under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30, Section 39M.

The City of New Bedford encourages participation from Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Women Business Enterprises (WBE), and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE). Potential bidders must certify compliance with several key requirements, including non-employment of undocumented workers, tax law adherence, and absence of debarment from public construction work. The estimated project budget is $125,000, which will be funded through the Community Preservation Act. Successful contractors must provide a 50% payment bond within ten days of selection and comply with Massachusetts labor laws. The project requires precise technical specifications, including specific anchor placement tolerances, and the City reserves the right to rebid if material costs or contractor pricing increase beyond acceptable limits. Contractors must demonstrate the ability to work harmoniously with other labor elements and provide comprehensive documentation verifying their legal and professional standing. The City maintains strict evaluation criteria focused on technical capability, pricing, and compliance with municipal procurement regulations.