RFB-225-25 MA for Dredging of KY River Locks 1 - 5

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Department for Facilities and Support Services, on behalf of the Kentucky River Authority, has issued Request for Bid No. RFB-225-25 for dredging services at Kentucky River Locks 1 through 5 located in Calloway County. This solicitation seeks a contractor to dredge portions of the lock chambers and approximately 150 feet of approach channels on both upstream and downstream sides, including snagging of obstructions from navigational channels to restore navigation depths to at least six feet. The contractor must provide specialized equipment including a towboat (maximum 37 feet wide by 140 feet long with twin 36-inch propellers and minimum 350 horsepower), a barge (maximum 36 feet wide by 110 feet long with 36-foot minimum spuds), and a crane with a minimum 75-foot boom and 50-ton lift capacity equipped with a 2.5 cubic yard clamshell bucket, along with an air compressor for sediment removal around lock doors. Bidders must submit lump sum pricing for mobilization and hourly unit rates for five categories: travel time (estimated 46 hours), crane time (estimated 90 hours), compressor time (estimated 1 hour), and downtime (estimated 10 days), with actual payment based on hours worked and no guarantee of estimated quantities. The contract has an initial twelve-month term with options to renew for up to four additional one-year periods upon mutual agreement. Required qualifications include demonstrated business structure, permanent place of business, available equipment meeting specifications, bonding capacity, experience on similar dredging work, Kentucky Workers' Compensation registration, and good standing status with the Kentucky Secretary of State. The bid deadline is May 14, 2025, at 9:30 A.M. Eastern Time, with bids submitted electronically through the Commonwealth's Vendor Self Service (VSS) eProcurement system at https://vss.ky.gov (vendors must register 24-48 hours prior to submission) or in hard copy format to the Finance Division of Engineering & Contract Administration at The Bush Building, 403 Wapping Street, 2nd Floor, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. A public bid reading will occur by conference call at 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time on May 14, 2025, and interested contractors must contact Olivia Dorman at olivia.dorman@ky.gov to schedule individual site visits with only one person permitted per appointment. Award will be issued to the lowest-cost responsive bid properly submitted by a responsible bidder on a total bid basis for all project phases. Bidders must submit a 5% bid guarantee in the form of a certified check or bid bond, with the successful bidder required to furnish 100% Performance and Payment Bonds, along with comprehensive general liability insurance of $1,000,000 combined single limit, automobile liability of $500,000, and workers' compensation with statutory benefits.

Kentucky resident bidders are eligible for reciprocal preference against nonresident bidders, and additional preference may apply for qualified bidders or the Department of Corrections Division of Prison Industries. All bidders must comply with Kentucky Civil Rights Act and Equal Employment Opportunity requirements and certify non-collusion and non-conflict of interest prior to contract award. The Commonwealth reserves the right to reject all bids and waive informalities. While no specific incumbent vendor is identified in the solicitation documents, the project is anticipated to occur annually, typically starting in late June and lasting three to four weeks, with work to commence within 15 calendar days of notice to proceed and completion required within 45 calendar days of start date. No specific contract value or budget range is disclosed in the bid documents; however, the award will be determined based on aggregate total pricing submitted by bidders for mobilization and the five hourly rate categories. Pricing established under the contract shall remain firm for the initial contract period with no price increases permitted, though price increase requests may be submitted at least ninety days prior to renewal if supported by documentation of industry-wide justification.