Two Airboat Build with Engines and Trailers

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is conducting a competitive sealed bid procurement for the construction of two heavy-duty airboats with engines and trailers. The solicitation requires vendors to build two 15-foot by 8-foot aluminum airboats equipped with 525 horsepower 7.4-liter Levitator MS.70 engines, comprehensive instrumentation, dual rudder systems, safety equipment including propeller guards and bilge pumps, and custom-built tandem-axle trailers with LED lighting systems. Project #1 includes a 36-inch grass rake while Project #2 does not. Prospective bidders must demonstrate a minimum of 12 consecutive months of airboat manufacturing experience with at least 20 units previously constructed, submit a minimum of three verifiable references for similar projects, provide a completed price sheet, and furnish evidence of compliance with mandatory responsive requirement certifications. The award will be made to the responsive, responsible bidder offering the lowest total price, with all pricing quoted on an F.O.B. destination basis including delivery costs within Florida and prepaid transportation charges. The critical deadlines are April 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET for submission of questions, April 20, 2026 at 2:30 PM ET for sealed bid submission at the Commission's Tallahassee headquarters, and April 23, 2026 as the anticipated award date. Public bid opening will occur on April 20, 2026 at 2:30 PM ET with options for in-person or teleconference attendance.

Although there are no set-aside designations restricting bid eligibility, the Commission encourages utilization of certified minority, women, and service-disabled veteran business enterprises and will require submission of a Subcontractor Minority Status Report with each invoice. Subcontracting is permitted, and vendors must submit a list of all subcontractors with their bids. The estimated total budget for this procurement is $180,000, with pricing required to include all necessary equipment, delivery costs, and assume full responsibility for warranty coverage and replacement of defective items within 30 days of notification. The contract term is one year from issuance of the Purchase Order, with extension requests subject to Commission approval only if force majeure circumstances arise. Vendors must maintain compliance with federal, state, and marine safety regulations, including E-Verify employment verification requirements and all applicable Florida Statutes, with liquidated damages assessed at $100 per calendar day for delays beyond the completion date unless circumstances beyond the contractor's control are responsible.