Artificial Reef Construction: Large Vessel Reef in Escambia SE or LAARS E. Reef Site, AR2608

Escambia County, Florida is requesting proposals for the supply, cleaning and preparation, transport, and precise deployment of one or more large vessels exceeding 85 feet in length overall to either the Escambia County Southeast Artificial Reef Site or LAARS East Artificial Reef Site under RFP PD 25-26.077, with proposals due July 9, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Both sites are permitted by the Army Corps of Engineers (with the Escambia Southeast permit extended to December 23, 2026) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection. No explosives are permitted in deployment.

Vendors must demonstrate a minimum of three similar vessel deployments as artificial reefs at comparable depths (90–200 feet) in open water within the past five years, with documentation including permit holder contact information. Vessels must be steel or aluminum hull construction with at least one-quarter inch thickness, seaworthy condition suitable for dead-ship towing, and configured for SCUBA diving attractions. All vessels must be thoroughly cleaned of fuels, oils, greases, debris, furnishings, and flaking paint; fuel tanks must be certified clean by qualified testing facilities; and all polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) must be removed and documented for proper disposal. Escambia County reserves the right to request a marine survey dated within 12 months prior to issuance of the Notice to Proceed.

The price submission must include total costs for vessel acquisition, cleaning, preparation, transportation, and seafloor deployment in full compliance with all permit conditions and applicable regulations. The estimated vessel deployment date is January through June 2027, with contractors required to complete the project within six months of receiving the Notice to Proceed. Contract execution and insurance certificates must be provided within 10 working days of award.

Proposal evaluation is weighted: vessel construction, condition, integrity, and durability (15 percent); habitat value (20 percent); horizontal and vertical stability (20 percent); deployment capability (15 percent); project plan (15 percent); and pricing (15 percent). Questions were due June 23, 2026. A non-mandatory pre-solicitation meeting was held June 16, 2026. Submissions are made through the e-procurement portal.