Airboat Research Vessel for FWC – Molluscan Fisheries

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking competitive bids for Invitation to Bid (ITB) FWC 24/25-80, specifically procuring an airboat research vessel for the Molluscan Fisheries North Central Florida Oyster Fishery Independent Monitoring program. The procurement involves acquiring a new 18 ft airboat with precise technical specifications, including a 525 horsepower water-cooled engine, marine-grade aluminum hull with polymer bottom, and seating for 5 persons. The solicitation requires vendors to construct an airboat with specific hull and propeller guard configurations, meeting comprehensive equipment requirements. Key procurement dates include a bid posting on March 19, 2025, with sealed bids due by April 7, 2025 at 1:25 PM ET, and a public bid opening scheduled for 1:30 PM ET the same day. Vendor qualifications mandate at least 12 consecutive months of experience constructing a minimum of 30 airboats, with compliance to federal and state regulations and safety standards.

The procurement encourages participation from certified minority-owned, woman-owned, and service-disabled veteran business enterprises. Vendors must be registered in both the MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP) and Sunbiz systems prior to bid opening. The project has an estimated budget of $85,000.00, with bids exceeding 25% of this amount considered non-responsive. The payment structure is milestone-based, with 50% paid upon completed hull and engine mounting, 30% for vessel component installation, 10% for trailer fabrication, and 10% upon final completion and delivery. The contract term is one year from purchase order issuance, with a required delivery completion date of August 1, 2025. This procurement represents a targeted acquisition for specialized marine research equipment, designed to support the FWC's ongoing oyster fishery monitoring efforts in North Central Florida.