Who will float the county’s boat?
Manatee County earlier this month issued an invite to negotiate for water taxi services, advancing the long-discussed push for alternative transportation between Anna Maria Island and Bradenton.
The invitation to negotiate went out March 1 from the county procurement division, stating proposals are due by 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, at the county administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
According to the ITN document, the county will receive “proposals from individuals, corporations, partnerships and other legal entities authorized to do business in the state of Florida … to provide water taxi services.”
Specifically, the county’s stated operational goals for any service provider include:
- Operate a service that includes one route from downtown Bradenton to stops on the island, such as the City Pier in Anna Maria and the Kingfish Boat Ramp in Holmes Beach, and a hop-on/hop-off service to provide connections in Bradenton Beach at the Historic Bridge Street Pier and at the Coquina North Boat Ramp;
- Provide a service that is safe, pleasant, ADA-accessible and an affordable alternative for tourists, employees and residents;
- Contribute to easing parking and traffic congestion on the island and in surrounding areas;
- Maintain positive relationships with public and private property owners, local governments, chambers of commerce and businesses to increase economic development opportunities and encourage water taxi use;
- Provide U.S. Coast Guard-certified vessels that are clean, safe, accessible and enjoyable;
- Work with county, municipal, marina and other staff in determining and securing use of required infrastructure and locations for docking facilities;
- Set service for the high tourist season based on market conditions and run a service that works with Manatee County Area Transit’s bus operations.
A deadline for interested negotiators to submit questions passed March 17.
A technical evaluation meeting currently is set for 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 13. Still, according to documents from the procurement office, the county could take as long as three months to review the proposals.
An evaluation committee will score proposals, looking at the proposer’s experience, up to 15 points; capability and skill, 25 points; approach to services, 20 points; fee proposal, 25 points; and innovative approaches and alternatives, 15 points.
The Manatee County Tourist Development Council and Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau has prioritized a water taxi service for 2022.