Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Electric Ferry Procurement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee hears update on electric ferry procurement; federal funding pause delays award notice
Summary
Annapolis staff said the city selected a design‑build bidder for electric ferries but could not issue a notice of intent to award while federal funds were under pause; staff are advancing the landing‑site RFP and coordinating with Maryland Transit Administration.
City staff briefed the Environmental Matters Committee on the electric ferry procurement and landing‑site planning, saying they had selected a preferred design‑build firm but could not publicly announce the award while federal funding was under temporary review.
The city’s selection committee had reached a final firm for the design‑build of the electric ferries. According to staff, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) temporarily paused funds for review. Staff said their federal lobbyists expected the review period to be limited and that it would likely be lifted within 30 days, after which the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) would need to review the city’s notice of intent to award before an announcement and vendor notification.
Separately, staff are preparing a request for proposals (RFP) for landing‑site improvements (including the Fifth Street site), which must also be reviewed and approved by MTA before advertisement. Public Works completed an initial assessment and early design work on the Fifth Street landing as a capital project; staff said the RFP for landing improvements had begun the internal review process and could take two to four weeks for state review.
Committee members and staff also discussed operational aspects. Transportation staff said an operator RFP would be required after landings and vessels are finalized; the department was preparing the operator procurement prior to the federal pause. The Harbor Master and staff are coordinating harbor logistics for multiple planned ferry services — the city’s electric ferry, a county electric ferry and a proposed Chesapeake Bay regional ferry — and noted potential challenges including dock capacity, vessel size and navigation/maneuverability.
Members asked about related construction on Fifth Street, which has been left at a temporary surface pending landing improvements; staff said the landing work would include elevational and sidewalk repairs to address storm flooding and a failing bulkhead.
Staff said they would continue preparatory work during the federal review so the city could proceed quickly once the pause is lifted.
