The Board of Harbor Commissioners for Portland Harbor, Maine (Commission) wishes to purchase a new patrol and response vessel to serve the Office of the Harbor Master (OHM) in protecting Portland Harbor and surrounding waters. The purpose of this RFP is to solicit technical and price proposals for the construction or customization, delivery, and warranty of the new boat. "We prefer a production model vessel that can be customized to our specifications by the vendor and delivered in 2025" OHM said in a press release. Timeline is part of the evaluation criteria. OHM noted that this is not a lowest-bid proposal; the Commission will purchase the vessel that provides the best value for our requirements.
The full RFP can be viewed here.
SUBMISSION OVERVIEW
1. Questions: All questions must be directed in writing to [email protected] by November 1, 2024. Responses from the Harbor Commission will be issued in the form of a written addendum posted to the News & Notices page of the Harbor Commission website: https://portlandharbor.org/news. Proposers will have responsibility for reviewing responses prior to submitting their proposals.
2. Submit Proposal: Proposals for the fulfillment of the specifications outlined in this RFP must be received via mail or express carrier on or before 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 15, 2024. Late proposals will not be accepted.
Mailing address for proposals:
No verbal alteration or interpretation of the provisions contained in this Request for Proposals is valid. Written addenda may be posted on our website when changes, clarifications, or amendments to proposal documents are deemed necessary.
Information contained in submitted materials will become public record upon selection of vendor by the Board of Harbor Commissioners.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Board of Harbor Commissioners for Portland Harbor (Harbor Commission) was established by the Maine Legislature in 1917 to regulate navigation and commerce on the waters of Portland Harbor. Our area of jurisdiction includes the waterfronts of the cities of South Portland and Portland (combined population 95,990), including Portland’s many island neighborhoods throughout lower Casco Bay. Portland Harbor is the eastern seaboard’s northernmost ice-free commercial port and northern New England’s largest port.
The Harbor Commission oversees the Office of the Harbor Master for Portland Harbor (OHM). OHM staff patrols area waters and shores daily. We participate in coordinated emergency training and response with multiple agencies, including the United States Coast Guard – Sector Northern New England, the Police Dive Team, Maine Marine Patrol, Portland and South Portland Fire and Police Departments, Maine State Police, and others. We are included in the Emergency Management Plans of eleven facilities around the harbor, including container, bulk petroleum and cargo facilities, a power plant, ferry (1m passengers + 35,000 vehicles/year) and cruise ship (150,000 passengers/year) terminals, the Portland International Jetport (just under 2m passengers/year), and a large bascule bridge.
With no municipal water-based law enforcement, OHM is the only agency whose sole focus is daily patrols of Portland Harbor. With an extensive working waterfront that includes not only boat and ship traffic, but also a vibrant mix of commercial operations and recreational destinations on the wharves and piers, we frequently respond to emergency situations. Our seasonal patrol boats are in the water from April 1 to mid-November each year. Harbor conditions can include strong winds, rough seas, dense fog, and sub-freezing temperatures.
