Hydraulic Oyster Patent Tong System and a Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU) with accessories

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is soliciting bids for a Hydraulic Oyster Patent Tong System and Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU) to be installed on a new research vessel at Scully's Aluminum Boats in Morgan City, Louisiana. This Invitation for Bid (IFB 802-25-57659) seeks a specialized hydraulic system specifically designed for oyster sampling, with precise technical requirements including a tong system measuring 19.25 x 16.25 inches (0.25 square meters) and a total system weight not exceeding 500 pounds. The hydraulic system must be capable of vertically displacing approximately 300 pounds of sampling equipment, with the HPU requiring a fixed displacement pump rated for 8 GPM at 1200 PSI, electric start, return line filter, and high-pressure safety bypass. Bids are due by 2:00 PM on December 31, 2024, under Texas Government Code Section 2155.067, which allows for a proprietary specification but permits competing vendors to respond if they can meet the exact technical requirements. The procurement is specifically for equipment only, with installation to be handled by a separate third-party vendor, and is intended to maintain the Coastal Fisheries Restoration and Artificial Reefs Team's consistent sampling methodology used since 2017.

While the solicitation does not mandate a specific set-aside for disadvantaged businesses, there is an option on the bid form to indicate Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) certification by the Comptroller of Public Accounts. Coastal Hydraulics is identified as the primary manufacturer for the custom-built hydraulic oyster patent tongs, though alternative vendors may bid if they can precisely match the specifications. The solicitation includes associated components such as a hydraulic winch, winch controls, and hydraulic lines, with no specific budget range explicitly stated in the available documents. The bid documents suggest this is a targeted procurement for a very specific piece of scientific research equipment, with no indication of multiple award potential or existing contractors beyond the specified requirements. Vendors responding to the solicitation will need to demonstrate exact technical compliance and the ability to manufacture a highly specialized hydraulic system that meets the TPWD's precise oyster sampling research needs.