Notice of Intent to Award | RFP 18-804-26 | Opacity Monitoring of Cruise Ships & State Ferries

The State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Division of Air Quality is soliciting proposals for opacity monitoring of cruise ships and state ferries operating in Alaska state waters during the 2026-2030 cruise ship seasons. The Request for Proposal (RFP) 18-804-26 seeks a contractor to conduct between 225 and 500 opacity readings per cruise ship season, primarily in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway ports, using US EPA Reference Method 9 to determine marine vessel visible emission standards. Proposals are due by 1:00 p.m. AKDT on September 24, 2025, with the contract initially spanning one year from November 1, 2025, to October 31, 2026, and including four potential one-year renewal options. Offerors must demonstrate team members with at least three years of experience in Alaskan port logistics and opacity monitoring, and provide comprehensive documentation of qualifications, methodology, and management approach. The evaluation will utilize a 1000-point scoring system considering experience, project understanding, methodology, management plan, and cost, with Flat Lake Engineering, LLC already identified as the most advantageous offeror with a score of 910.

The procurement allows for Alaska Bidder Preferences, with specific certification requirements for businesses seeking state-level contract advantages. Vendors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and complete various certifications, including drug-free workplace, lobbying disclosure, and debarment compliance forms. The contract is funded through fees from commercial passenger vessel operators, with a budgeted amount of $350,000, and proposals exceeding this amount will be considered non-responsive. Potential bidders must navigate several mandatory compliance requirements, including holding a current Alaska business license and potentially demonstrating resident ownership or employment. The procurement includes provisions for veteran-owned businesses and requires detailed disclosures about company structure, ownership, and potential conflicts of interest. Offerors have a ten-calendar-day protest period following the October 3, 2025 Notice of Intent to Award, during which they can challenge the procurement decision.