New Operating Agreement

The San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (SF Bay Ferry) is initiating a Request for Information (RFI) #25-054 to gather industry feedback for a new ferry operations contract. The procurement seeks an operator to manage vessel and shoreside operations for a comprehensive ferry system serving the San Francisco Bay Area, encompassing 19 passenger vessels across 8 routes. Key deliverables include maintaining current operations, integrating 5 new all-electric vessels, and potentially expanding to emerging routes like Treasure Island, Mission Bay, Berkeley, and Redwood City. The current operating agreement expires on December 31, 2026, with a new contract anticipated to commence on January 1, 2027. Critical procurement dates include an optional Industry Day Site Visit on August 5, 2025, RFI responses due by August 26, 2025, anticipated RFP release in Fall 2025, proposal submissions in Spring 2026, and contract award in Summer 2026. WETA will retain responsibility for service routes, scheduling, fares, system financing, capital projects, marketing, and system planning, while seeking an operator to manage day-to-day operational responsibilities.

The RFI does not specify explicit set-aside designations or vendor restrictions, but an industry day attendee list reveals potential respondents including Blue & Gold Fleet, Hornblower Consulting, Red and White Fleet, Transdev, and other maritime transportation companies. The current infrastructure includes two Operations & Maintenance Facilities located in Alameda and Vallejo, with existing high-speed diesel vessels that will transition to include battery electric ferries by 2028. The organization's operational budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 is approximately $73 million, with a capital budget of around $147 million, suggesting a substantial contract value. The RFI invites potential operators to provide input on agreement terms, compensation structures, insurance requirements, performance incentives, and innovative service delivery approaches. Respondents will need to demonstrate capabilities in maritime operations, vessel maintenance, safety protocols, and potential integration of emerging electric vessel technologies across the San Francisco Bay transit system.