IFB CSC 25-208

The California Science Center has issued Invitation for Bid (IFB No. CSC 25-208) for Rockwork Inspection & Repair Services targeting the Kelp Tank Exhibit located in Los Angeles County. The procurement encompasses comprehensive underwater and above-surface inspection services for a 188,000-gallon saltwater tank, with specific requirements for providing sustainability and stability reports and repairing faulty or damaged rockwork up to 150 cubic feet. Bidders must possess a minimum of 10 years of zoo/aquarium diving experience and 5 years of direct underwater rockwork inspection expertise. The contract is scheduled to run from November 15, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with work permitted between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Bid submissions are due on October 29, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., with a virtual bid opening at 1:35 p.m. and a proposed award date of November 10, 2025. Key deliverables include detailed documentation, references, insurance certificates, and compliance forms, with bidders required to provide scuba-certified divers and maintain rigorous safety protocols specific to working in a live animal exhibit environment.

The solicitation encourages participation from small businesses (SB), microbusinesses (MB), and disabled veteran business enterprises (DVBE), potentially offering preference and incentive programs for these categories. While no specific budget is disclosed, the cost sheet allows bidders to quote prices for labor and materials, with a 9.75% tax applied to materials and billing occurring upon completion of itemized work. Bidders must comply with state regulations including criminal background checks and TB testing. The procurement does not identify incumbent vendors but emphasizes strict compliance with safety guidelines and professional standards for marine exhibit maintenance. Potential respondents should be prepared to demonstrate comprehensive capabilities in underwater inspection, rock repair, and exhibit maintenance, with a focus on preserving the structural integrity and aesthetic quality of the Kelp Tank Exhibit. Though a precise award value is not specified, the detailed requirements suggest a technically complex and potentially significant contract for specialized marine exhibit maintenance services.