Aquaponics Facility Equipment and Installation: Phase 2

Walton County, in cooperation with the Muscogee Nation of Florida, has issued Invitation to Quote (ITQ) #25-06 for an Aquaponics Facility Equipment and Installation: Phase 2 project. The procurement seeks qualified vendors to design, deliver, install, and commission a fully functional aquaponics system for a Micro Farm Agritourism Project. Specific deliverables include four 800 to 1,000-gallon aquaculture tanks for tilapia farming, seedling tables, growing troughs, water circulation systems, and backup equipment. The project requires comprehensive installation, one staff training session, user manuals, and final project documentation including as-built drawings, schematics, and maintenance schedules. Vendors must comply with environmental and safety regulations, including EPA and OSHA standards, and adhere to the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) for materials. The quote release date was January 13, 2025, with responses due by February 12, 2025, at 4:00 pm. Contractors must complete delivery and installation by June 15, 2025, and finalize training and commissioning by July 1, 2025, to meet grant requirements.

The procurement appears open to all qualified vendors, with no specific set-aside designations mentioned. Vendors must provide two references from customers with similar scope of work and submit separate cost proposals. The project is funded through a RESTORE Act Direct Component Grant, with an estimated budget ranging from $50,000 to $90,000. Upon award, the successful contractor must provide liability insurance naming Walton County and proof of Workman's Compensation Coverage. The project is part of a larger Muscogee Nation of Florida Micro Farm Agritourism Project, which aims to create an agritourism destination showcasing local produce, farm-raised fish, and providing interactive educational opportunities. The initiative is designed to promote tourism and economic development in the Bruce Community of rural Walton County, with the aquaponics facility being a key component of this broader economic and cultural development strategy. The project is specifically located at 278 Church Road in Bruce, Florida, and is part of a federally funded initiative to support local agricultural innovation and tribal economic development.