Coastal Waterways Inventory RFQ - Response to Inquiries 09-01-2026

Location:	Mississippi
Posted:	Sep 1, 2026
Due:	Sep 17, 2026
Agency:	Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District (SMPDD)
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	80 - Brushes, Paints, Sealers, and Adhesives
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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RESPONSE TO INQUIRIES

Coastal Waterways Inventory Project

Request for Qualifications

Solicitation Issued: August 7, 2026; Addendum No 1 Issued August 21, 2028

Responses Due: September 17, 2026 at 11:00AM CST

1. Can the geographic boundaries of the study area be provided? The RFP states that the

study area will include non-federal navigation channels in tidally influenced waters, but

this could include a substantial upstream area in the main river systems. ANSWER – At

this point, the northern limits of the project are anticipated to include priority

waterways that have a dredging need, which is not expected to extend further

than 3.5 miles north of I-10. The final geographic boundary will be established

during the early analysis and coordination stage of the project.

2. Will the non-federal channels include all excavated private channels as well as non-

federal public channels? ANSWER – The project is anticipated to consider both

traditional tidelands waterways as well as man-made non-federal channels.

3. Is new hydrographic survey work expected for all waterways, selected waterways, or

selected based on review of existing datasets? ANSWER – The need for new

hydrographic work will be determined after review of existing datasets.

4. Regarding the county-wide maintenance dredging permits, will permits cover all

inventoried waterways or only priority maintenance corridors identified through the

study? ANSWER – It is anticipated that permits will cover priority waterways as

determined through the assessment and inventory phases of the project.

5. What is the anticipated date for consultant selection, contract execution, and notice to

proceed? ANSWER - Consultant selection is anticipated before October 31, 2026

with contract execution and notice to proceed to follow.

6. The RFQ states, the team should include a minimum of four (4) firms (including the

prime and subcontractors).

a. Are joint ventures or formal partnerships between firms acceptable in meeting

this requirement? ANSWER – Yes, as long as the JV or formal partnership

includes at least 4 firms that will all perform a substantial role in the

project.

b. Is there a required minimum or maximum percentage of work that each firm must

perform? ANSWER – No specific requirements have been established, but

the multiple firms are expected to each perform a substantial portion of the

workload.

c. Can a single firm serve multiple roles on the team, or must each firm serve a

distinct, non-overlapping role? ANSWER – Overlapping roles are allowed

7. Firm understands that this scope of work will include Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson

Counties. The RFQ requests respondents to provide a project schedule. Could you

please provide a list of previous waterways included in this project so that we can

accurately develop our schedule? ANSWER – A large-scale, coordinated,

maintenance dredging project of this type has not been completed before for

Coastal Mississippi, therefore there is no list of “previous waterways” that can be

provided.

8. Additionally, the RFQ states that the statement of qualifications is limited to 25 pages.

Should we include engineering and other relevant certifications within this page limit?

ANSWER – Relevant Certifications can be referenced within the 25-page limit, but

copies of the certificates do not need to be included in the submission.

9. Can consultants submit responses as the prime and subconsultant on this RFQ?

ANSWER – SMPDD does not have a preference in how firms choose to partner

with others.

10. Can the project schedule be submitted on an 11x17 page, and if so, will it count as two

pages? ANSWER – Yes, one (1) 11x17 page is allowed for the project schedule.

SMPDD will consider it 1 page in the 25-page count limit. No other oversized

pages should be included in the submittal.

11. What information is currently available (e.g. current inventory) for this assessment?

ANSWER – There is no current inventory available.

12. What work has been done previously? By whom (company or university) ANSWER –

Various projects have been completed through the coastal area over the years.

The intention of the project is to identify the previous efforts and aggregate the

information into a dataset.

13. What stakeholder engagement (e.g., local community, federal, etc.), or meetings, should

we plan for? ANSWER – Consultant should plan for stakeholder engagement

necessary to complete the project

14. Are we to provide rates and best estimate for field work? It will be difficult to assess

number of site visits and need for surveys currently? ANSWER – Please see

Addendum No 1 issued 8/21/2026

15. Is it possible to get a two-week extension? ANSWER – No extension will be granted

16. Do you have an estimate of number of waterway miles to be surveyed in the 3 coastal

counties? ANSWER - No

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Coastal Waterways Inventory RFQ - Response to Inquiries 09-01-2026

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