Lafitte Cove Dredging

Escambia County is seeking a licensed marine contractor to perform mechanical dredging services at the Lafitte Cove Canal entrance. The project involves dredging within a permitted 200' x 65' area to a depth of -5.0' Mean Low Water, with an estimated 800 cubic yards of sediment to be removed per dredging event. The contractor will be required to dredge the canal entryway two to three times annually, with anticipated work months in February, July-August, and October-November. Dredged materials must be transported to an upland site located south of Pensacola Beach Boulevard near the Water Towers. The solicitation requires bidders to have completed at least one similar dredging project within the past three years and to comply with all permit requirements from the Army Corps of Engineers and Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Key bid submission details include an electronic submission through the OpenGov Procurement portal due by December 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with a solicitation deadline for questions on November 24, 2025. All work must be completed by March 14, 2026, and must avoid disrupting shorebird nesting during spring and summer months.

The contract will be structured with a one-year initial term and options to renew for two additional one-year periods, potentially extending up to 36 months total. Pricing is to be submitted on a lump sum basis with two line items: mobilization/demobilization and a per-cubic-yard removal and transport cost. Comprehensive insurance requirements are extensive, including workers' compensation, general liability, business auto liability, and specific maritime coverage with aggregate limits ranging from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 per occurrence. Local business preference provisions may apply based on bid amount and proximity to Community Redevelopment Areas. Bidders must provide various certifications, including Florida business authority, current business tax receipt, drug-free workplace certification, and E-Verify compliance. While no specific set-aside designations are mentioned, the contract appears open to qualified marine contractors with demonstrated dredging experience. The project is funded through Escambia County's public works budget, with contract continuation subject to annual Board of County Commissioners approval and fund appropriation.