M/V Ascension - 5 Year Drydock

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is soliciting electronic bids for drydock repairs, maintenance, painting, and related work on the M/V Ascension, a state-owned vessel, with bids due September 9, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time. This federal-aid construction project carries mandatory Davis-Bacon wage determinations, equal employment opportunity provisions, and Build America Buy America (BABA) certification requirements — all iron, steel, and manufactured products must be produced in the United States unless a waiver is granted.

The scope encompasses drydock operations including structural repairs, maintenance, and painting on the vessel. The contract must be completed within 180 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed, with an additional 30-day assembly period allowed before regular construction operations commence. Place of performance is statewide in Louisiana scope.

The estimated contract cost is $1,000,000 to $2,500,000. Contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including Workers Compensation with a minimum $1,000,000 employer liability limit for over-water work, Commercial General Liability, Owner's and Contractor's Protective Liability, and Business Automobile Liability insurance with limits based on contract amount. The contract designates two trainee positions representing approximately 2,000 trainee hours for job-training participation. Advance payments may be made for stockpiled materials stored more than 30 calendar days, subject to department approval and limited to 85 percent of the contract price for items to be incorporated. The contract is not subject to payment adjustments for asphalt cements, fuels, or steel.

All prospective bidders must complete online registration through the LA DOTD website prior to bid submission. Electronic bids and bid bonds must be submitted through www.bidx.com, with bids downloaded and posted at http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/engineering/lettings/. The project engineer is W. "Butch" Millet, P.E., and the project manager is Steven Sibley, P.E.