Oyster Cultch Placement in Multiple Bay Systems

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is seeking contractors to establish blanket contracts to provide shallow water land and marine services to transport and place oyster cultch material (such as oyster shells, clam shells, limestone, river rock, or crushed concrete) within marked boundaries in multiple bay systems along the Texas coast. The first project will occur in Carlos Bay and Mesquite Bay in Aransas County, and additional projects in other bay systems will be awarded on an 'as needed' basis. Contractors must have relevant experience in placing cultch on oyster reefs and must have Coast Guard-certified licenses to operate vessels. The project is scheduled to begin on April 1, 2024, and be completed by May 31, 2024, with proposals due by December 5, 2023. Evaluation criteria include the contractor's qualifications, experience, and approach to placing the cultch material in a flat layer to avoid navigational hazards.

This contract opportunity is open to all qualified vendors, but a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Subcontracting Plan is required, even for HUB-certified companies. The contract value or budget range is not explicitly stated, but pricing for additional cultch will be provided on a per-cubic-yard basis if additional funds become available. There are no incumbent vendors or current contractors listed, and the RFP does not mention any existing infrastructure or technology that requires integration.