Waterway Navigation Repairs and Maintenance

Sarasota County is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to establish a pool of qualified contractors for waterway navigation repairs and maintenance services. The procurement seeks contractors to perform installation, maintenance, and removal of marine navigation aids throughout the County's bays, rivers, and connected waterways, including Sarasota Bay, Roberts Bay, Little Sarasota Bay, Dona Bay, Lemon Bay, the Myakka River, and the Intracoastal Waterway Venice. Qualified contractors must have at least one employee holding either a Certified Marine Specialty Contractor License or Certified Marine Pile Driving Specialty Contractor License from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The project involves installing and maintaining pilings, buoys, dayboards, and regulatory signage, with work to be assigned through individual task orders and specific GPS coordinates. Proposals must be submitted through the County's OpenGov Procurement portal by February 11, 2026, with an anticipated initial contract term of three years. Contractors will be expected to provide their own materials such as pilings, stainless steel hardware, and cross-member lumber, while the County will supply certain materials like dayboards, regulatory signs, and buoys at no cost.

The procurement does not explicitly specify set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though the solicitation suggests consideration for small businesses and minority-owned enterprises for subcontracting. Some projects may involve Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funding, which requires compliance with specific disaster grant procurement terms and conditions. Contractors who fail to respond to more than three County requests for project quotes within a twelve-month period may have their contracts terminated. The County plans to award multiple contracts to create a prequalified vendor pool, with individual projects assigned to contractors submitting the lowest lump sum quote for each task order. While specific award values are not detailed, the comprehensive nature of the work across multiple waterway zones suggests a potentially significant contract opportunity. Contractors must be prepared to comply with extensive federal regulations, including provisions under 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Guidance, and meet specific requirements related to procurement, environmental compliance, and safety standards. The contract includes provisions for potential termination, with the County able to terminate for convenience with 30 days' notice or for default with 10 working days to cure any identified issues.