Provide and deliver a barge

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division, is seeking qualified vendors to provide and deliver a specialized barge for marine operations, located in Richland County. The procurement is structured as an Invitation for Bid (IFB) with solicitation number 5400027679, targeting the acquisition of a barge measuring 10 feet wide by 30 feet long by 3 feet deep. Specific technical requirements include A36 steel construction, welded seams, two compartments with 18-inch watertight hatches, and detailed coating specifications involving zinc-rich epoxy primer, gray epoxy deck coating, black marine epoxy exterior, and haze gray interior. The barge must also include six bolt-on zincs on the bottom for anti-fouling protection. Key procurement dates include a bid submission deadline of December 19, 2024, at 10:00 AM EST, with vendor questions required by November 26, 2024, at 12:00 PM. The final delivery location is specified as Hazzard Marine in Georgetown, South Carolina, with SC DNR staff mandated to be present during delivery. The contract completion deadline is set for March 31, 2025, with an anticipated contract start date of December 6, 2024.

Regarding vendor qualifications, all bidders must be registered with the state prior to submission and must provide a signed cover page, completed bidding schedule, minority participation form, equipment identification form, and proof of required insurance coverage. While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly mentioned, the solicitation indicates a preference for the lowest responsible and responsive bidder. No specific budget range or award value is detailed in the documents. Submission methods include one hard copy delivered to the SC Department of Natural Resources or submission through the SCEIS portal system. The state reserves the right to reject any or all bids and will evaluate proposals based on compliance with marine laws, regulations, and the department's technical specifications. Offerors must maintain bid validity for a minimum of ninety calendar days after the opening date, and all materials and equipment must be new and meet applicable state and federal marine regulations.