Chief Tomokie Restoration in Tomoka State Park

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the Chief Tomokie Restoration project located in Tomoka State Park within Volusia County. This RFI seeks detailed information from vendors with specialized expertise in architectural preservation, historic masonry restoration, outdoor artworks restoration, and fiberglass fabrication, focusing on the restoration of a 45-foot statue designed by Frederick Dana Marsh in 1955. The primary objectives include repairing and preserving the Tomokie figure and waterfall, and safely removing secondary figures for storage, with the statue being constructed of concrete, brick dust, and bamboo rods. Key procurement dates include the RFI being advertised on 9/22/2025, with questions due by 10/6/2025 and vendor responses required by 11/3/2025. Vendors are expected to provide comprehensive portfolios demonstrating experience with large-scale outdoor artworks, including detailed project descriptions, high-resolution photographs, and evidence of expertise in complex restoration techniques. The RFI emphasizes that this is not a competitive bid or proposal solicitation, but rather a method for gathering market intelligence about potential restoration services.

The RFI does not specify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations, nor does it indicate incumbent vendors or existing contractors. While no specific budget is explicitly stated, the document requests cost-related information from potential vendors, including support rates, licensing costs, and implementation fees. The FDEP aims to use the gathered information to potentially develop a future competitive procurement package for the statue's restoration. The statue has suffered from decades of vandalism and weathering, indicating a significant restoration challenge that will require specialized skills and techniques. The procurement appears open to a wide range of architectural and restoration firms with demonstrated expertise in preserving complex, large-scale outdoor artistic structures. Although no precise award value is mentioned, the comprehensive nature of the restoration project suggests a potentially substantial investment in preserving this historically significant artistic landmark.