DNR 5 year haul-out dry dock maintenance S/V Steelhead

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division is soliciting proposals through a Request for Proposal (RFP No. 210000001290) for comprehensive haul-out, inspection, repair, and maintenance services on the 65-foot research vessel S/V Steelhead, homeported at the Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station in Charlevoix, Michigan. The procurement encompasses a five-year dry-dock maintenance contract requiring contractors to execute 25 distinct work categories, including vessel hauling, pressure washing, ultrasonic hull inspection, removal and reinstallation of two shafts with four new shaft bearings and two rudders with rudder bearings, hull and deck sandblasting with epoxy and anti-fouling coatings, engine room cleaning and optional painting, structural welding repairs, hull section replacements contingent upon inspection, deck stringer replacement, bilge pump manifold replacement, transducer well modifications, catch screen installation, air conditioning unit replacement with mini-split heat pump system, skeg oil replacement, vinyl lettering, and associated dry-dock charges and labor. Qualified contractors must demonstrate the capability to provide all-inclusive pricing covering labor, equipment rentals, materials, shipping, and dry-dock charges and must carry comprehensive insurance coverage including Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 each occurrence/$2,000,000 general aggregate), Umbrella or Excess Liability ($5,000,000), Automobile Liability ($1,000,000 per accident), Workers' Compensation, and Employers Liability Insurance ($500,000 each accident). The RFP deadline for bidder questions was March 22, 2021, with the proposal submission deadline of March 29, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. EST, an anticipated contract begin date of April 15, 2021, and required completion no later than August 1, 2021. Contractors must submit the Vendor Questions Worksheet, Schedule A - Statement of Work, Schedule B - Vendor Price Quote with itemized costs, and a Confidential Treatment Form, with pricing evaluation proceeding only for proposals receiving PASS evaluations on both the Vendor Questions Worksheet and Schedule A. Evaluation may include on-site facility inspections, reference checks, background checks, and interviews, with the State reserving the right to consider but not be obligated to award to the lowest priced proposal and retaining the right to negotiate pricing, terms, and technical requirements. Liquidated damages of $1,000 plus $500 per day apply for late or improper completion.

The solicitation is subject to prevailing wage requirements and Davis-Bacon Act compliance as a federally-funded construction contract, requiring adherence to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, or other restricted categories are noted in the available documentation. The RFP does not identify any incumbent vendors or current contractors, nor does it reference existing infrastructure or technology integration requirements beyond the vessel's current specifications and systems requiring modification or replacement. Interested contractors may arrange pre-proposal site tours of the S/V Steelhead by contacting Dave Clapp at ClappD@michigan.gov, with no formal pre-proposal meeting scheduled. Payment terms are Net 45 days after invoice receipt via Electronic Funds Transfer only, with contractors permitted to propose early payment discount terms. While no explicit budget or award value is stated in the RFP, the comprehensive scope of work including vessel hauling, extensive sandblasting and repainting, multiple mechanical and structural repairs, and system replacements suggests a substantial contract value, though the exact award amount will be determined through the competitive bidding and evaluation process.