Oyster cultch placement in east galveston BAY in subtidal and intertidal locations

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP No. 802-25-52602) for oyster cultch placement in East Galveston Bay, seeking qualified contractors to provide land and marine services for oyster reef restoration. The project involves creating three intertidal reef complexes and one subtidal reef complex, totaling approximately 38 acres, with specific requirements for cultch material placement. Contractors must deploy approximately 8,300 tons of cultch material in intertidal areas and 4,175 tons in subtidal areas, constructing detailed mound configurations including West Reef (2 feet high), Middle Reef (3 feet high), and East Reef (3 feet high). The cultch material must meet precise specifications, including a median rock size of 9-12 inches, with 50% of materials less than 10 inches and only 10% passing through an 8-inch sieve. Proposals are due by January 7, 2025, at 2:00 PM CST, with the initial project to be completed by August 31, 2026. The evaluation criteria will focus on compensation and fees (40%), qualifications and experience (25%), and technical proposal (35%), with TPWD intending to award multiple contracts for future project areas.

The RFP includes a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) subcontracting goal of 26%, requiring contractors to develop a comprehensive HUB subcontracting plan that documents their intentions to utilize Texas-certified HUB vendors. Contractors must provide a performance bond for individual projects exceeding $100,000 and demonstrate the ability to access the project site via water using shallow-draft barges operable in 24 inches of water. The project is funded through the Deepwater Horizon oil spill legal settlement, with TPWD and NOAA serving as co-implementing trustees. While specific budget details are not disclosed, the RFP indicates potential for future project awards on an as-needed basis as funding becomes available. Contractors must be prepared to work within strict environmental constraints, including no land access or marsh excavator use, and must comply with habitat preservation requirements. The contract term runs through August 31, 2027, with two optional one-year renewal periods, providing potential long-term opportunity for qualified marine construction and restoration contractors specializing in oyster reef development.