Provide, prepare, tow& sink steel trawler

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is seeking a contractor to provide, prepare, tow, and sink a steel trawler for an artificial reef deployment project. The solicitation requires a steel hull trawler at least 103 feet in length with a 25-foot beam and 6.7-foot draft, which will be loaded with a minimum of ten tons of concrete provided by SCDNR. The contractor will be responsible for comprehensive vessel preparation, including complete removal of hazardous materials, draining fuel tanks and lines, and permanently opening internal voids. The vessel must be deployed at reef site PA-19 in Cape Romain, located approximately 12 nautical miles from the Winyah Bay channel buoy. Key deliverables include full vessel cleaning, towing, and sinking operations, with strict requirements for marine environmental safety and compliance. Bid responses are due by February 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM EST, with questions accepted until January 24, 2025, at 12:00 noon EST. The contract term runs from February 19, 2025, to May 30, 2025, with a maximum 90-day completion window contingent upon acceptable sea conditions.

The solicitation indicates a preference for South Carolina resident vendors, contractors, and subcontractors, suggesting potential set-aside or preference points for local businesses. No specific disadvantaged enterprise requirements are explicitly outlined in the documentation. The procurement allows for submission of bids through either a hard copy to the SCDNR office in Columbia or through the SCEIS portal system. A critical contingency for the award is obtaining approval from the Army Corps of Engineers under their current permits for material deployment. While no specific budget range is provided, the solicitation will award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Contractors must maintain appropriate liability insurance and be prepared to demonstrate financial and operational capability to complete the maritime deployment. The award will be posted on February 18, 2025, with offers required to remain valid for 90 calendar days after the opening date. Successful bidders must be prepared to adjust deployment based on NOAA forecasted sea conditions of 2-4 feet or less.