Custom built 21. 5-23. 0 FT boat & trailer

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is requesting sealed bids on a custom-built 21.5–23.0 foot fiberglass boat and matching aluminum marine trailer, with bids due October 29, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. EST and questions due October 15, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. EST. Award will be made to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder after application of South Carolina resident-vendor preference, end-product preference, and resident-subcontractor preference.

The vessel will be used by the SCDNR Marine Resources Research Institute for nearshore and estuarine research, including broodstock collection and release, rod and reel fishing, gillnet and longline deployment, and retrieval and deployment of data logging equipment. The boat must accommodate a large 400-gallon internal tank with flexible piping to support fish stocking from the vessel and must carry a 10-year hull and transom warranty. The manufacturer's pricing should reflect costs to mount and wire a 150–200 HP outboard motor, which will be procured separately by the state.

Bidders must submit unit prices for three line items: the boat as specified, the trailer as specified, and delivery to SCDNR-Waddell Mariculture Center in Bluffton, South Carolina. Offerors must be registered South Carolina vendors and must submit signed cover pages, completed bidding schedules, subcontractor identification forms if applicable, and required insurance documentation. Payment will be net 30 days upon proper receipt of invoices. The state reserves the right to conduct unbalanced pricing analysis and reject any offer determined unreasonable as to price.

Contract term begins November 2, 2026 with completion and delivery required by March 30, 2027. Award notification is expected October 30, 2026. No pre-bid conference or site visit is scheduled.