Acquire and Operate the historic M/V Plover - City of Blaine RFP 2026
City of BlaineCity · Blaine, WA- Due
- Oct 31, 2026
- 3 days left
- Primary contact
- Michael Harmon
The 30-second brief
The City of Blaine is seeking proposals from qualified nonprofit organizations interested in acquiring and operating the M/V Plover, a historic passenger vessel. The vessel provides seasonal passenger service between Semiahmoo and Blaine Harbor and public excursions within Drayton Harbor during the summer operating season from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Additional desired uses include maritime education, mariner credentialing, seamanship training, navigation training, and vessel-handling instruction. Proposals are due by 31 October 2026 and should demonstrate organizational capability to maintain wooden vessels, secure marine liability insurance, and provide a two-year operating budget.
Applicant's ability to safely operate, maintain, and insure the Plover, financial viability and sustainability of the proposed operation, experience of the organization and its identified partners in vessel operations, commitment to maintaining the Plover in Blaine and providing seasonal public access, extent to which the proposal supports tourism and public excursions, extent to which the vessel will be used for maritime education and training, applicant's existing U.S. Coast Guard-approved training programs or ability to obtain approvals, demonstrated ability to pursue grants and partnerships, overall benefit of the proposal to the city of Blaine
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Summary
The City of Blaine is seeking proposals from qualified nonprofit organizations interested in acquiring and operating the M/V Plover, a historic passenger vessel.
The vessel provides seasonal passenger service between Semiahmoo and Blaine Harbor and public excursions within Drayton Harbor during the summer operating season from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Additional desired uses include maritime education, mariner credentialing, seamanship training, navigation training, and vessel-handling instruction. Proposals are due by 31 October 2026 and should demonstrate organizational capability to maintain wooden vessels, secure marine liability insurance, and provide a two-year operating budget.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Applicant's ability to safely operate, maintain, and insure the Plover, financial viability and sustainability of the proposed operation, experience of the organization and its identified partners in vessel operations, commitment to maintaining the Plover in Blaine and providing seasonal public access, extent to which the proposal supports tourism and public excursions, extent to which the vessel will be used for maritime education and training, applicant's existing U.S. Coast Guard-approved training programs or ability to obtain approvals, demonstrated ability to pursue grants and partnerships, overall benefit of the proposal to the city of Blaine
- Submit to
- City of Blaine, Attn: Michael Harmon, 435 Martin St., Blaine, WA 98230 or [email protected]
- Scope location
- Blaine, WA
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from City of Blaine?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is October 31, 2026. Submissions should be delivered to: City of Blaine, Attn: Michael Harmon, 435 Martin St., Blaine, WA 98230 or [email protected]. For questions, contact Michael Harmon.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including City of Blaine in WA, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.
What happens after the RFP submission deadline?
After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.
Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?
Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Michael Harmon. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
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What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Applicant's ability to safely operate, maintain, and insure the Plover, financial viability and sustainability of the proposed operation, experience of the organization and its identified partners in..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from City of Blaine?
All active and historical solicitations from City of Blaine are tracked and searchable. As a city agency, City of Blaine regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
Is this solicitation still open for submissions?
Based on the posted deadline of October 31, 2026, this solicitation appears to still be accepting submissions. Deadlines may change through amendments or addenda, so always verify the current status directly with the issuing agency before preparing your response.
What documents are required to bid on this RFP?
Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. Review the full document from City of Blaine for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Blaine, WA. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.