Removal of vessel and drydocking

The State of South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is seeking a contractor to perform marine vessel removal and drydocking services for the 120ft M/V TWR-84 vessel (known as "Hazar") located in Bohicket Creek, Charleston County. The procurement is structured as an Invitation for Bid (IFB) with specific requirements for vessel removal and repositioning. The contractor must provide a tug and/or crane capable of removing the vessel intact, with comprehensive responsibilities including repairing vessel holes/leaks, removing all hazardous materials, draining fuel and oil systems, and preparing the vessel for potential reef deployment or demolition. The solicitation mandates that contractors possess comprehensive marine insurance, including General Marine Liability, USL&H, and Property and Indemnity policies. Key procurement dates include a bid opening on 8/12/2025 at 10 am EST, with all vendor questions due by 7/21/2025 at 2 pm EST. The contract term is six months, with an estimated period from 2025 to 2026, and the contractor must complete vessel removal and drydocking within 90 days of contract award. Award will be made to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, with payment contingent upon 100% project completion.

Minority business participation is explicitly encouraged in this procurement, and all vendors must be registered in the South Carolina Enterprise Information System (SCEIS) to submit a bid. While specific set-aside designations are not detailed, the solicitation suggests an openness to diverse business participation. No incumbent vendors are mentioned in the documentation, and there are no explicit restrictions on the type of organizations that can respond beyond the SCEIS registration requirement. The solicitation does not provide a specific budget range or award value, though the comprehensive nature of the required services suggests a potentially significant contract value. Contractors will need to demonstrate technical capability in marine vessel removal, marine engineering, hazardous material handling, and comprehensive insurance coverage. The project's scope implies that potential bidders should have specialized maritime services experience and the technical infrastructure to safely and efficiently remove and reposition a large marine vessel.