INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Bidding is now open to upland and off-shore providers of sand for the Sector 3 Beach and Dune Restoration Project. As part of a projected $19.7 million project to renourish up 35,000 feet of beach between Treasure Shores Park and John’s Island, the county is seeking contractors to supply beach-compatible sand. This will be the third major beach restoration project the county has undertaken since 2007, but the first time officials have sought or accepted bids from upland sand sources as well as pumped in sand from off shore. The County Commission decided to open up the bidding in response to requests from North County sand-mine operators who wished to be considered.Coastal engineering staffers have applied for $8 million in federal stimulus funds from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and word on those funds is expected by late July. Bid packets are available for $50 each through the Indian River County Purchasing Office and there will be a pre-bid conference for potential vendors at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 13 at the Indian River County Purchasing Conference Room, IRC Administration Complex Building 1, Room 303. Bids are due at 2 p.m. Monday, August 3. Timing for the project start date is uncertain, as the the designs are still in the process of being permitted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The contract cannot be awarded until permitting is secured.For more information, contact Purchasing Manager Jerry Davis at (772) 226-1418 or visit www.demandstar.com/supplier/bids.
