Organic Removal and Backfilling for Canal #82, Key Largo

Monroe County, Florida is soliciting proposals for an organic muck removal and backfilling project for Canal #82 in Key Largo through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process. The project involves removing approximately 1,900 cubic yards of organic muck from the canal and backfilling with approximately 4,900 tons of clean fill material to restore water quality and establish a natural benthic community. The work will be located on the Atlantic side of US-1 between Lobster Lane and Bonito Lane, with the primary objectives of removing oxygen-depleting organic materials and improving ecological conditions. Proposals are due by 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform. A non-mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom. The project requires substantial completion within 120 calendar days of receiving the Notice to Proceed, with final completion within an additional 30 days. Proposals will be evaluated on multiple criteria, including introduction (0-5 points), general proposer information (0-15 points), statement of qualifications (0-15 points), financial qualifications (-5 to 0 points), technical proposals (0-15 points), cost proposals (0-55 points), and required county forms (-5 to 0 points), for a total of 105 possible points.

The contract is entirely funded by a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Grant #KG006, with a total funding amount of $3,000,000.00 in state funds. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the documentation. Contractors must provide a 5% proposal security and maintain specific insurance requirements, including workers' compensation with $1,000,000 employers' liability limits, general liability of $2,000,000 combined single limit, and vehicle liability of $1,000,000 combined single limit. Liquidated damages will be applied for delays, ranging from $500 per day for the first 15 days to $3,500 per day after 30 days, depending on the contract amount. The project requires strict compliance with environmental regulations, including protection of marine habitats, turbidity control, and adherence to permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Florida Water Management District, and Monroe County. Contractors will be responsible for all permitting, testing, quality control, safety compliance, environmental protection measures, and restoration of staging areas. The award will be given to the lowest conforming responsible proposer, with careful consideration of qualifications.