Passenger Vehicle Ferry Services at Lansing

The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking qualified contractors to provide passenger vehicle ferry services across the Mississippi River near the Lansing Marina in Allamakee County, Iowa. The RFI, identified as RFI 645-RFI-2066-2026, is specifically targeting ferry service providers capable of operating a certified vessel that can transport 10 or more passenger vehicles between Iowa and Wisconsin. The procurement seeks a contractor who can provide comprehensive ferry operations from Monday, March 30, 2026, to Sunday, August 29, 2027, with daily service hours from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., seven days a week, including all 365 days of the year. Key requirements include United States Coast Guard (USCG) certification, a minimum crew of two licensed professionals, and strict adherence to federal, state, and local regulations. The RFI includes 29 detailed questions for vendors to address, covering critical aspects such as vessel specifications, operational capabilities, maintenance protocols, and contingency plans. Responses must be submitted electronically by September 2, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. CST, with the primary contact being Mallory Hunter from Iowa DOT.

The RFI does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. While no specific disadvantaged enterprise requirements are mentioned, the document indicates that the State of Iowa will handle infrastructure responsibilities, including maintaining approach roadways, dock walls, and providing necessary signage. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the documents. The RFI is explicitly not a Request for Proposal, meaning no formal cost proposals are being solicited at this stage, and thus no specific award value or budget range is currently available. The procurement process appears designed to gather comprehensive information about potential service providers' capabilities to inform a future formal procurement process. Interested contractors will need to demonstrate robust operational capabilities, including vessel specifications that meet USCG standards, comprehensive crew licensing, and the ability to provide reliable, year-round ferry services across the Mississippi River.