Electrofishing Research Vessel (DGS-OTA)

The California Department of General Services (DGS) Procurement Division is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB #3600-0000000507) on behalf of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for an Electrofishing Research Vessel to be used for fisheries surveys and drought-related monitoring across California's lakes and reservoirs. The procurement requires a custom vessel with specific technical specifications, including a minimum 18' length, 80" beam, 90HP 4-stroke outboard engine, comprehensive electronics/controls package, and a Generator Powered Pulsator for electrofishing capabilities. The vessel must be completed within four months after receipt of the purchase order, with a detailed cost breakdown required that includes base unit price, shipping/delivery costs, trailer expenses, and potential out-of-state travel costs. Key procurement dates include the IFB release on March 8, 2016, the last day to submit questions on March 17, 2016, and the bid due date of April 1, 2016 at 2:00 PM. Bids must be submitted via hard copy or fax to the DGS Procurement Division, with strict requirements for identifying the solicitation number, due date, and contact name on submission materials.

The solicitation includes several preference and set-aside provisions, specifically allocating 5% for Small Business participation and implementing the Target Area Contract Preference Act (TACPA). Non-Small Business vendors are required to subcontract 5% of the contract value. The procurement will be conducted under the Alternative Protest Process per Public Contract Code 12125, providing some flexibility in the bidding procedures. While no specific incumbent vendors are mentioned, the detailed technical specifications suggest a specialized market for marine research vessels equipped with electrofishing technology. The solicitation covers jurisdictions including Sacramento County and San Francisco City, indicating a statewide procurement need. Though an exact budget range is not specified, the comprehensive technical requirements and custom nature of the vessel suggest a potentially significant investment in specialized marine research equipment for fisheries monitoring and environmental research purposes.