Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. The services defined in this solicitation will require the contractor to provide personnel to operate the State-owned Merry Point Ferry located on secondary Route 604 in Lancaster County that crosses the Corrotoman River and the Sunny Bank Ferry located on secondary Route 644 in Northumberland County that crosses the Little Wicomico River. See Attachment D for location site maps and public information sign locations. The ferry operators must be trained and ready to begin work forty-five (45) days after award of the contract. 2. Ferries will be operated on the above schedules fifty-two (52) weeks per year with the following exceptions: a. New Years’ Day. b. Thanksgiving Weekend (Thursday through Sunday). c. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day (and weekend days if in proximity). d. During electrical storms. e. During extreme high water. f. During extreme low water. g. During high winds as determined by the Maintenance Area Headquarters. h. When ferry deck is covered with snow or ice. i. Equipment failure. j. When notified by the Contract Administrator not to operate. NOTE: Operational schedule for each ferry is subject to change based on funding availability or other factors. The Contractor will be compensated for actual hour(s) that a ferry operator is provided. This schedule is subject to change at any time. Two (2) weeks’ notice will be given prior to any changes. 3. With a six (6) passenger limit, only one (1) employee is needed to operate each ferry, and no special maritime license is required. At this time, VDOT plans to continue this level of operation under this contract. The Contractor shall furnish personnel qualified to operate the ferries under the United States Coast Guard regulations of six (6) passengers or less and in accordance with the provisions of the resulting contract. 4. In the event that the Department wishes to increase the passenger limits to meet Coast Guard regulations in that scenario, the operator must hold a “Limited Master’s License” for near coastal vessels of not more than one hundred (100) gross tons to be qualified to operate a vessel carrying up to forty-nine (49) persons. VDOT will provide at least sixty (60) days’ notice to the Contractor prior to engaging this bid item. If the passenger limit is increased, VDOT and the Coast Guard may determine that a second operator, “deckhand”, is needed along with the licensed operator to perform “man-overboard” rescue operations. If this occurs, the Contractor will be compensated for deckhand hours using the rate for an unlicensed operator. 5. An additional Ferry Operator may be required to assist in operation at the Merry Point Ferry during the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays. The Northern Neck Residency will provide sixty (60) days’ notice to the Contractor to provide an additional Ferry Operator during this time only if the Northern Neck Residency choose to do this. The Northern Neck Residency reserves the right to cease the use of this additional Ferry Operator at its own discretion and with give a two (2) week notification when this occurs.
