Outsourcing of County Marinas Management

Collier County's Procurement Services Division has issued an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) for outsourcing management of four county-owned marinas: Port of the Islands Park, Goodland Boat Park, Cocohatchee River Park, and Caxambas Boat Park. The solicitation seeks a qualified vendor to operate marina facilities, providing comprehensive services including boat slip rentals, retail sales, live bait sales, fuel sales, and potential parking and launch fee management. The proposed contract term is ten years with two additional ten-year renewal options. Vendors must demonstrate ability to deliver high-quality services aligned with county operational and community goals. The evaluation process will assess proposals across five criteria: Experience and Qualifications (30 points), Certified Woman and/or Minority Business Enterprise (10 points), Operating Business Plan (25 points), Cost of Services to the County (25 points), and Local Vendor Preference (10 points). A mandatory pre-proposal conference and site visits are scheduled for October 23, 2025, with proposal submissions due by November 14, 2025. The county will offer two commission options: Option A where the county retains parking and launch fees with minimum monthly commissions ranging from $3,000 to $8,000 per marina, or Option B where the vendor retains these fees with minimum monthly commissions ranging from $14,000 to $20,000 per marina.

The solicitation includes provisions for local vendor preference and encourages participation from local and minority-owned businesses. Vendors must complete a Local Vendor Preference Certification, demonstrating a physical business address in Collier County and possession of a current local Business Tax Receipt. The county requires comprehensive insurance coverage, including Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence), Automobile Liability ($500,000 per occurrence), and Workers' Compensation. Additional requirements include compliance with E-Verify program, drug-free workplace policies, and submission of various certifications such as Conflict of Interest and Immigration Certification. While no incumbent vendor is specifically mentioned, the solicitation provides a detailed equipment list for each marina, including freezers, live bait tanks, refrigeration units, and other necessary operational equipment. The county will provide utilities at no cost to the selected vendor and requires detailed monthly and annual reporting on marina operations, sales, and performance. Vendors must demonstrate financial stability, operational expertise in marina management, and ability to provide exceptional customer service across the four marina locations.