On-Call Marine Vessel Diving Services

Pierce County Public Works in Washington is soliciting bids on ITB 2026-ITB-124 for on-call marine vessel diving services for two ferry vessels (M/V Christine Anderson and M/V Steilacoom II) moored at the Steilacoom Ferry Landing, with bids due July 30, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. PST and questions due July 23, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST.

The scope includes routine preventative maintenance (annual vessel inspections, bolt-on zinc anode replacement, sea chest strainer and keel cooler cleaning), U.S. Coast Guard–required Underwater Inspection in Lieu of Dry-Docking (UWILD) every 2 to 2.5 years, hull cleaning, and emergency inspections and repairs to hulls, sea valves, propellers, rudders, and other underwater components. The contractor must maintain 24-hour, seven-day-per-week emergency response availability. Services must also be available for other County-owned facilities as needed.

Minimum qualifications require an active Washington State Contractor License, employment of trained and certified divers, Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act insurance, and a minimum of two years of recent marine vessel diving experience supporting a government agency combined with three years as a licensed contractor. All work is subject to Washington prevailing wage laws under RCW 39.12 and OSHA regulations; Association of Commercial Diving Contractors (ACDC) standards apply.

The estimated project value is $400,000 exclusive of Washington State sales tax. Bidders must submit unit pricing on eight line items: six UWILD services, ten annual vessel inspections with anode and strainer cleaning, five keel cooler inspections and cleaning, five hull cleaning services, 50 hours regular labor, 20 hours emergency overtime labor, three emergency call-out fees, and a percentage markup on repair parts and materials. For emergency work, invoices are submitted on a time-and-materials basis. Repair parts and materials are reimbursed at cost plus the markup percentage; subcontractor work at actual cost plus 15%; permits at cost plus markup. Mobilization, estimates, supervision, and travel to and from the job site are not reimbursed.

The initial contract term is one year commencing November 1, 2026, with an option to extend for one additional year at mutual agreement, for a maximum total of two years. A 5% bid bond is required at submission; the successful bidder must furnish a 100% performance and payment bond before execution. A 5% retainage will be held unless the contractor provides a retainage bond. The current contract expires October 31, 2026. No pre-bid walkthrough is planned. Bid opening occurs via Zoom thirty minutes after the due time.