Barge Rental Services

The City of Pittsburgh's Office of Management & Budget, on behalf of the Department of Parks and Recreation, is soliciting bids for Invitation for Bid #2023-IFB-241 to procure barge rental services. The procurement seeks a certified barge management company to charter up to three jumbo flat deck barges and a spud barge, complete with an operator, to be delivered to a fleeting location at West End 1798 Riverside Street. The contract will cover three years from 2024-2026, with potential extensions through 2028, and specifically requires service periods of June 24-July 8 in 2024, 2025, and 2026. Bidders must submit pricing proposals including daily rates for various barge types and hourly labor rates, with all submissions to be made electronically through the ProcureNow portal by the December 14, 2023, 2:00 pm deadline. Comprehensive insurance requirements are mandatory, including general liability coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 aggregate liability, $2,000,000 automobile liability, statutory workers' compensation, and maritime-specific insurance with P&I coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and hull coverage of at least $300,000.

The City has established specific equal opportunity goals for this procurement, requiring 18% participation for minority-owned businesses, 7% for women-owned businesses, and 5% for veteran-owned small businesses. All delivery costs must be included in bid pricing, with no separate shipping or handling fees to be paid by the City. While the exact budget range is not specified, the detailed insurance and participation requirements suggest a significant contract value. The procurement is open to barge management companies that can meet the extensive insurance, operational, and diversity participation requirements. Potential bidders must demonstrate capability to provide well-maintained barges, professional operators, and compliance with the City's comprehensive contractual specifications. The multi-year contract structure with potential extensions indicates the City's intention to establish a long-term partnership with a reliable barge rental service provider capable of meeting their specific operational needs during the designated summer service periods.