Provide, prepare, tow & sink vessel

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is seeking a vendor to provide, prepare, tow, and sink a steel-hulled shrimp trawler for the Artificial Reef Program through Solicitation No. 5400029061. The selected contractor must supply a vessel with a minimum keel length of 43 feet, beam of 13 feet, and height of 15 feet, and will be responsible for comprehensive vessel cleaning and preparation. This includes removing all loose debris, watertight components, hazardous materials, and draining fuel and oil systems. The vessel will be towed to reef site PA-49 near Hilton Head, approximately 5 nautical miles from Port Royal, and must be deployed with full tug and support crew capabilities to ensure complete and even sinking. Marine Resources Division personnel will conduct mandatory pre-bid and pre-sinking inspections. The solicitation requires bid submissions by December 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. EST, with all vendor questions due by November 21, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. EST. The contract term is estimated from December 4, 2025, through March 31, 2026, with vessel deployment required within 90 days of award.

The procurement opportunity does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Vendors must obtain a South Carolina vendor registration number and submit comprehensive documentation, including signed cover pages, completed bidding schedules, and proof of required insurance coverage. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with the contractor bearing full liability and risk throughout the vessel handling and deployment process. While no specific budget range is detailed, the contractor must maintain sufficient liability insurance covering all operational aspects. Submissions can be made online through the SCEIS portal, via FEDEX/UPS/USPS, or through in-person delivery, with email and facsimile submissions explicitly prohibited. The contract incorporates South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code requirements, and any protests must be filed with the Chief Procurement Officer at protest-mmo@mmo.state.sc.us within specified timeframes.