Dune Matrix Enhancement- Pensacola Beach - National Coastal Resilience Fund NFWF

Escambia County is requesting bids for the Dune Matrix Enhancement Project on Pensacola Beach under ITB #PD 25-26.118, with bids due October 27, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. The project is federally funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation National Coastal Resiliency Fund and subject to federal contract provisions including Davis-Bacon prevailing wage, E-Verify, Clean Air Act, and domestic material preferences.

The scope spans two lots. Lot 1 covers installation of 78,710 units of native vegetation (62,090 sea oats, 10,830 panic grass and Gulf bluestem, 5,790 diversity groundcover) with hydrating gel across an 8.1-mile stretch of beach and dune habitat; 7,095 linear feet of post-and-rope fencing; 5,384 linear feet of sand fencing; and 11 installed signs plus 10 uninstalled signs. Lot 2 requires removal of approximately 24,004 square yards of asphalt and other debris from five designated areas, limited to 6 inches below surface grade. All plant materials must be sourced from native Gulf Coast Florida or Alabama populations with documented collection permits; micropropagation-grown plants may not exceed 25 percent of units. All species must come from the 2021 approved plant list. Installation must comply with contract drawings dated September 17, 2026, FDEP field permits, and detailed technical specifications including marine turtle and shorebird protection requirements.

The contractor is responsible for securing beach driving permits, business licenses, and all other required approvals prior to work initiation. The contract term spans 180 calendar days from Notice to Proceed with 150 days to substantial completion and 30 days to final completion, plus a 180-day warranty requiring 80 percent plant survival. Liquidated damages of $1,609 per calendar day apply for delays beyond completion deadlines. Escambia County reserves the right to award all-or-none or lot-by-lot. Bidders must submit unit pricing for all line items and provide 5 percent bid surety via bid bond or certified check. The successful contractor must furnish performance and payment bonds at 100 percent of award value and maintain general liability ($1 million per occurrence/$2 million aggregate), business auto liability ($1 million per occurrence), workers' compensation, and pollution liability ($1 million per occurrence/$2 million aggregate). Questions are due October 20, 2026. A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting was held September 28, 2026.