Aquatic Harvester Boat

The City of Lubbock is seeking bids for an aquatic harvester boat designed for cleaning and restoration of lakes and ponds, which includes a single-axle trailer. The procurement is structured as an Invitation to Bid (ITB) 25-19360-AE, with a non-mandatory pre-bid teleconference scheduled for December 30, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Specific boat requirements include dimensions between 12-18 feet in length, NMMA certification, safety features like a Bimini top and LED navigation lights, and a hydraulic system with a boom cutter and front-end loader. The boat must be equipped with a 3-cylinder turbo diesel liquid-cooled engine, have a minimum 500-pound material capacity, and come with a 12-month warranty covering 100% parts and labor. Sealed bids must be submitted electronically through the Bonfire portal or in hard copy by January 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., with bidders required to provide current printed literature and specification sheets detailing compliance with each requirement. The City reserves the right to award to the lowest responsible bidder or the bidder offering the best value, considering factors such as purchase price, bidder reputation, quality, past relationship, and impact on HUB contracting goals.

While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly highlighted, the procurement documents indicate an interest in Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) contracting goals. The bid requires vendors to complete several administrative forms, including a Conflict of Interest Form mandated by Texas Local Government Code Section 176, which suggests a commitment to transparency and ethical procurement practices. The Vendor Acknowledgement Form includes optional Interlocal Purchasing provisions, allowing other Texas governmental entities like school districts, counties, universities, and municipalities to potentially purchase under the same terms and pricing. Bidders must provide certifications related to Texas Government Code requirements concerning Iran/Sudan relations, Israel boycotts, firearm discrimination, and energy company boycotts for contracts valued at $100,000 or more with ten or more full-time employees. While a specific budget range is not disclosed, the procurement is for a single aquatic harvester boat with a trailer, suggesting a moderate-scale municipal equipment acquisition. The bid allows for pricing to remain firm for a minimum of 60 days and requires delivery within a specified timeframe, with the City exempt from federal excise, state sales, and transportation taxes.