CITY OF SAN ANTONIO
CENTER CITY DEVELOPMENT & OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
INTERDEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE
TO: Sheryl Sculley, City Manager
FROM: John Jacks, Interim Director, Center City Development & Operations
COPY: High Profile Contract Council Committee; Lori Houston, Assistant City Manager; Ben Gorzell, Jr., CPA, Chief Financial Officer; Kevin Barthold, City Auditor; Troy Elliott, CPA, Deputy Chief Financial Officer
SUBJECT: Post-Solicitation Briefing for River Barge Fabrication
DATE: November 15, 2016
The river barges are vitally important to the image conveyed to our visitors and residents, and equally important to the economies of San Antonio’s hotel, restaurant, and convention and tourism industries. Earlier this year, the City approved an innovative design for the river barges to transform the visitor experience. The solicitation process for fabrication of the new barge fleet has been completed.
On August 3, 2016, a RFCSP was released to select a qualified and experienced contractor to construct 43 aluminum river barge vessels for the San Antonio River Walk, to be utilized by a private barge operator. The innovative vessel will seat approximately 44 passengers and allow for multiple seating configurations including but not limited to standard tours, VIP tours, dinner cruises, cocktail cruises, and parade floats. Each boat vessel will have an electric, lithium battery powered propulsion system. CCDO has been testing a prototype barge on the River Walk since August.
The RFCSP was advertised in the San Antonio Express-News, The Hart Beat, TVSA and on the City’s website. Responses were due October 7, 2016 and a total of four firms responded. A selection committee consisting of executives from the City Manager’s Office, Center City Development and Operations, Finance, Visit San Antonio, staff from San Antonio River Authority, private citizens and technical personnel evaluated and ranked the submissions.
The selection committee evaluated and scored the proposals based on the published criteria which included: experience, background, qualifications, proposed plan, price, and SBEDA Program requirements. Interviews were conducted with all four respondents. The estimated contract value is $6.5 million.
This item is scheduled for Council consideration on December 1, 2016.