QBS PHASE 1 ENGINEERING FOR REPAIR OF SEAWALL AT PIER 9 AND FORT WETHERILL

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is seeking proposals from qualified engineering firms to perform Phase 1 engineering services for seawall repairs at Pier 9 in Newport and Fort Wetherill in Jamestown. The selected firm will be responsible for drafting, designing, permitting, and developing repair plans into construction-ready bid documents. The initial contract is expected to start around November 1, 2025, for a one-year term, with an option to renew for an additional year based on performance and funding. The procurement process follows a qualification-based selection (QBS), where proposals are evaluated primarily on technical merit, with cost negotiations conducted only after identifying the most qualified firm. The project emphasizes compliance with Rhode Island laws, including minority and women-owned business participation (minimum 10%), insurance requirements, and adherence to AIA contract standards (notably AIA B101-2017 and A201-2017). The solicitation is open to all registered vendors in Ocean State Procures™, with responses due by September 29, 2025. A non-mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for September 11, 2025, in Providence. The contract will incorporate Rhode Island’s general conditions of purchase, and all proposals and related communications must be submitted electronically via the state's procurement portal. The scope of work involves assessing existing seawalls, designing repairs, obtaining permits, and preparing comprehensive bid documents, with all deliverables subject to state review and approval.