RFP: Purchase Black-Eyed Susan stern-wheeler paddleboat

The Town of Snow Hill is seeking proposals for the purchase of the Black-Eyed Susan, the stern-wheeler paddleboat acquired by the Town in 2020. With full transparency, the Town advises that the boat was purchased near the end of an active Coast Guard operating permit and that as part of the renewal process for that permit, serious deficiencies in the boat’s structure were discovered.

The Black-Eyed Susan was constructed in 1989 as a working stern-wheeled paddleboat featuring two decks for public enjoyment in a Victorian-decorated interior. In 2003, the boat’s length was extended from 87 feet to 111 feet. It draws 4 feet of water and is equipped with galley, restrooms and wet bars.
The Coast Guard inspection report is attached to this RFP as is the official estimate from Colonna Shipyard of Norfolk, Virginia, dated March 13, 2022, detailing the cost of fully restoring the boat to permitting capacity. Note that during the past year, those cost estimates have likely increased substantially.

Other specifications and material related to the boat is available upon request. The Mayor and Town Council have determined that the expense of repairing the boat, coupled with the estimated annual cost of maintenance and repair, have made continuing to own and operate the Black-Eyed Susan not in the best interests of the taxpayers and residents of Snow Hill.

Accordingly, the Town of Snow Hill will accept sealed bids/proposals for the purchase of the Black-Eyed Susan until 4:00 PM on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at the Snow Hill Town Hall, 103 Bank Street, Snow Hill, Maryland, 21863 where they will be opened publicly and the proposer’s name read aloud. Any proposal received after that date & time or submitted electronically will not be accepted. Three copies of the proposal are required, in sealed envelopes marked PROPOSAL/BLACK-EYED SUSAN. Proposals must remain valid for a minimum of 90 days from the date of proposal opening.

The boat is being sold in “as is” condition and it will be the responsibility of the successful bidder to remove the boat from the Town dock within 30 days of the date on the Award of Bid letter, entirely at buyer’s expense, and to sign all required legal paperwork to transfer ownership of the boat within 15 days of the date on the Award of Bid letter.

Proposers are expected to become fully informed as to the nature and specifics of the subject matter and understand that no consideration will be given to issues resulting from a misunderstanding of the terms of this RFP.

The Black-Eyed Susan can be made available for on-site inspection with 24 hours’ notice to the Town. Contact the Town Manager’s office to schedule a visit. For further information, call 410-632-2080.

The Town of Snow Hill reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals for any reason and to waive any informalities or irregularities that may be in its best interest to do so.

For the entire document with the inspections/reports and RFP Form, please visit: http://www.snowhillmd.gov/black-eyed-susan.html