Derelict Vessel "Borocho" Reefing Project - Martin County 2025

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking competitive bids for the Derelict Vessel "Borocho" Reefing Project in Martin County, a comprehensive marine remediation and artificial reef creation initiative. The procurement involves three primary phases: relocating the 227-foot vessel from the Miami River to a marine facility, preparing the vessel for reefing according to national guidelines, and deploying it as an artificial reef in the Sirotkin permitted area in Martin County. Bidders must be registered in the MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP) system and with SunBiz, and must provide proof of valid Jones Act and Maritime Insurance. A mandatory site visit is scheduled for June 5, 2025, with a pre-bid conference call on June 16, 2025. Sealed bids are due by July 10, 2025, with an anticipated award date of July 21, 2025. The project's key objectives include resolving a derelict vessel problem while creating marine habitat for reef-associated fish species and providing additional recreational fishing and diving opportunities. Any bid submitted that is 15% over the estimated budget will be considered non-responsive.

The FWC encourages diversity in its procurement program and permits subcontracting for this project. While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly mentioned, the solicitation suggests an openness to diverse vendor participation. The project will deploy the vessel approximately 6.4 nautical miles northeast of the St. Lucie Inlet in federal Atlantic Ocean waters at a depth of 215 feet, with specific navigational and environmental guidelines governing the deployment process. The estimated budget for the project is $500,000, and the contract will be effective for one year upon issuance of the purchase order. Vendors must comply with various state and federal requirements and demonstrate capabilities in marine vessel relocation, preparation, and reef deployment. The project represents a unique opportunity for marine contractors with expertise in vessel remediation and artificial reef creation, combining environmental management with marine habitat enhancement. Interested bidders should carefully review the full ITB documentation and ensure they meet all specified qualifications and insurance requirements.