Planting oyster shells

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has issued a solicitation (5400026575) for oyster shell planting services in coastal South Carolina, specifically targeting Beaufort and Charleston Counties. The procurement involves planting approximately 50,000 U.S. bushels of shucked oyster shells and limestone as oyster cultch substrate across six designated intertidal shoreline locations. Contractors must provide all necessary labor, vessels, equipment, and materials for transportation and planting operations, including barges capable of carrying a minimum of 900 bushels with loadable ramps and offloading pumps. Key requirements include the ability to complete approximately 50 barge trips by August 30, 2024, beginning in March 2024, with bids to be submitted by March 12, 2024, at 10:00 AM EST. SCDNR will supply cultch material and loading equipment, with on-site supervision and volume certification provided by agency personnel. Evaluation will be based on the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, with unit pricing required for each line item.

Contractors must maintain specific insurance coverage, including Commercial General Liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, Auto Liability of $1,000,000 per accident, and Workers' Compensation insurance with Employer's Liability limits of $1,000,000 per accident. South Carolina-based businesses may qualify for resident contractor or resident subcontractor preferences ranging from 2% to 4%, subject to meeting requirements in South Carolina Code Section 11-35-1524. The contract term is six months from the effective date or until August 30, 2024, whichever occurs earlier. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, the solicitation suggests potential preference for local businesses. Submissions can be made through the SCEIS online portal or as sealed hard copies to SCDNR Procurement Services. Though a precise budget range is not specified, the comprehensive nature of the project involving 50,000 bushels of oyster shells across multiple coastal locations indicates a significant potential contract value.