Derelict Vessel Removal

Pinellas County's Public Works Department is soliciting bids for a five-year contract to remove and dispose of derelict vessels from county waterways, with Solicitation #25-0554-ITB released on May 30, 2025. The procurement seeks a comprehensive marine vessel removal service that includes all necessary labor, equipment, and materials for removing vessels ranging from 0-20 feet to over 60 feet in length, with an estimated total of 145 vessels over the contract period. Contractors must demonstrate a minimum of two years of marine vendor or salvager experience and provide appropriate equipment including vessels, barges, and heavy equipment. The solicitation requires detailed documentation for each vessel removal, including comprehensive photographs, disposal receipts, and specific vessel information like type, length, registration number, condition, and GPS coordinates. Proposals are due by June 26, 2025, at 3:00 pm, with preliminary questions required by June 10, 2025. The contract includes strict environmental protection requirements, mandating compliance with best management practices to minimize impact on marine ecosystems and protect wildlife.

The contract does not specify specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, but includes several critical compliance requirements such as a Foreign Countries of Concern Affidavit, Common Carrier Attestation, and Human Trafficking Affidavit. Contractors must certify they are not owned or controlled by specific countries of concern and will not engage in human trafficking practices. The total estimated budget for the five-year contract is $1,103,322.50, with annual estimates of $220,664.50 and unit pricing ranging from $120 to $327 per linear foot depending on vessel size. The pricing structure includes categories for 0-20 foot vessels (10 estimated), 20-40 foot vessels (120 estimated), 40-60 foot vessels (10 estimated), and vessels over 60 feet (5 estimated), along with an emergency mobilization fee and a $35,000 unspecified services allocation. The contract includes an option to extend for one additional two-year period, providing potential long-term engagement for the selected vendor. Compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including FDEP permit exemptions and environmental protection protocols, is mandatory.