Icebreaker/Buoy Tender Vessel for DNR

The State of Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking to procure an Icebreaker/Buoy Tender Vessel through an Invitation for Bids (IFB) process. The vessel must be steel-hulled, capable of year-round operations in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, and able to support icebreaking and buoy-tending activities. The vessel must be at least 85 feet long with a minimum beam of 26 feet and a maximum draft of 4 feet. The contract will be a one-time purchase with a term from November 1, 2019 to October 31, 2021, with two one-year renewal options. A pre-bid conference was held on September 12, 2019, and bids are due by November 14, 2019. The contract will be awarded to the responsive and responsible vendor with the lowest price.

The IFB does not include any set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond. There is a 0% Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) subcontracting goal, and no Small Business Preference. The selected contractor will be responsible for the design, construction, delivery, and warranty of the vessel. Pricing is firm-fixed, and the contractor must provide a detailed equipment list, maintenance manuals, and training for DNR personnel upon delivery of the fully operational vessel to the Port of Crisfield, Maryland. The IFB does not specify any listed incumbent vendors or current contractors, nor does it provide any information on the existing budget or award value range.