RFP - Operation of Ferry Service

The City of St. Marys, Georgia is soliciting competitive sealed proposals to operate and manage a passenger ferry service between St. Marys, Georgia and Fernandina Beach, Florida. This procurement is restricted to vendors whose primary line of business is the operation and management of passenger vessels and water taxi services. The selected vendor must operate a minimum of three round trips daily on a schedule aligned with the Cumberland Island Ferry, with service hours from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM, including regular weekend and special event evening operations. The ferry vessel must accommodate a minimum of 24 passengers and up to 12 bicycles. Key requirements include maintaining comprehensive insurance coverage (Commercial General Liability with $1,000,000 minimum per occurrence, Workers' Compensation and Employer's Liability, and Errors and Omissions with $1,000,000 minimum per occurrence), holding a valid U.S. Coast Guard license, obtaining an occupational tax certificate, complying with all Coast Guard regulations and safety requirements, providing monthly operational reports with trip counts and passenger data, and maintaining the City-owned dock space at no charge. Proposals will be evaluated on Quality of Firm and Experience (30%), Qualifications of Staff (30%), Project Approach (30%), and Demonstrated Government Experience (10%), with a total possible score of 100 points. Sealed proposals must be submitted to 418 Osborne Street, St. Marys, GA 31558, with one original, six copies, and one electronic version no later than 2:00 PM on August 21, 2025. Inquiries should be directed in writing to Sarah Lee, Purchasing Coordinator, at slee@stmarysga.gov or 912.510.4045, and interested vendors must register on the plan holders list to receive addenda.

The RFP does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions based on organization type or disadvantaged enterprise status. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement documents. The contract does not reference any existing infrastructure or technology requiring integration beyond the City-owned dock space that the vendor must maintain. The City of St. Marys and City of Fernandina Beach jointly anticipate providing financial support of up to $10,000 per year for the first two years of operation, subject to budgetary approval and contingent upon the vendor meeting defined service and performance standards; however, neither city guarantees this financial support, and payments are contingent upon availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The contract term is not explicitly stated in the available documentation. The selected vendor will be classified as an independent contractor and must agree to indemnify the City, with contracts including a liquidated damages clause requiring payment of not less than $100 per day for each day the ferry service is not operational after the agreed-upon start date.