DEM Vessel Service for Lobster Trap Survey

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is soliciting proposals to charter three commercial lobster vessels for a ventless trap survey in Rhode Island waters. The procurement, identified as RFP22001223, requires each vessel to be available for a minimum of 9 days between June 1st and August 31st to conduct marine research. Qualified vendors must possess commercial lobster vessels capable of conducting scientific surveys and meeting specific insurance requirements, including $1,000,000 in liability coverage per occurrence and vessel operation liability insurance. The RFP was released on April 8, 2022, with proposals due by May 6, 2022 at 10:00 AM EDT, and a vendor Q&A period running from April 8 to April 20, 2022. Proposals will be evaluated based on technical merit, cost, and ISBE (Minority/Women/Disability Business Enterprise) participation rates, with the evaluation committee scoring submissions across these three key categories. The initial contract period will begin in May 2022 and run for three years, with potential renewal options for up to three additional 12-month periods contingent upon vendor performance and funding availability.

The DEM strongly encourages participation from Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), and Disability Business Enterprises (DisBEs), collectively referred to as ISBEs, and will award points based on vendors' proposed ISBE utilization rates. All proposals must be submitted electronically through the Ocean State Procures system, and vendors must be registered in this procurement platform to participate. The delivery location for services is specified as the DEM-Fort Wetherill Marine Fisheries Laboratory in Jamestown, RI. While no specific contract value or budget range is explicitly stated in the documentation, the procurement is contingent on the availability of appropriated funds. No incumbent vendor information is provided, and there are no explicit set-aside designations beyond the ISBE participation scoring mechanism. The state reserves the right to award the contract based on cost alone, to accept or reject any proposals, and to make awards that are in the state's best interest.