IFB161025 Powhatan 2026 Shipyard Project

Southampton County, Virginia is requesting bids on maintenance and repair services for the M/V Powhatan, a 270-foot steel-hulled double-ended passenger/car ferry, under IFB161025, with bids due August 27, 2026.

The scope encompasses dry docking, underwater hull inspection and preservation, topside painting, deck repairs, and engineering system maintenance. The contractor must furnish all labor, materials, equipment, and rigging to complete the work at the contractor's facility, shoreside, and in dry dock. Work must comply with American Bureau of Shipping rules, Code of Federal Regulations Title 46, and United States Coast Guard requirements. The vessel operates from Surry, Virginia and will be transported to and from the contractor's facility by the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry. The contractor assumes responsibility for vessel security, environmental compliance, fire protection, temperature control, and provision of facilities for VDOT representatives, including a furnished office with communications and 240VAC minimum power supply (200 AMP, three-phase).

The contract performance period is 55 days. The contractor must submit a production schedule within five working days of award and weekly progress reports thereafter. Specific milestones include dock trials at least seven days before preliminary sea trials and a four-hour full-load preliminary sea trial with final inspection before vessel acceptance. The specification establishes detailed surface-preparation standards, marine painting systems (approved manufacturers: International, Sherwin Williams, PPG, Devoe, Hempel, or Ameron), and preservation tasks including hull anode renewals. Growth work allowances total $60,000: $25,000 for hull inspection and repairs and $35,000 for valve and strainer renewals. All work is warranted for twelve months from vessel departure or until the manufacturer warranty expires, whichever is longer, with warranty work performed at Scotland Wharf in Surry, Virginia when possible. The contractor must obtain dry dock certification from a professional engineer and conduct a docking conference at least one day prior to docking.