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WSF evaluating bids for new 160‑car hybrid ferries; in‑state bid credit applied
Summary
WSF said two bids arrived from prequalified shipyards for new 160‑car hybrid ferries and described a 13% in‑state bid credit intended to level the field for Washington shipbuilders; the agency is reviewing bids and prequalification documentation before awarding contracts.
Washington State Ferries told the public that it has opened and is evaluating bids for a new class of 160‑car hybrid-electric ferries. David Sowers said the agency received two bids from the three prequalified shipyards and is checking documentation, bid bonds and forms before making an award decision.
Sowers described the procurement context: state legislation allowed out-of-state construction under defined conditions, and WSF applied a roughly 13% in-state ‘bid credit’ to help level the playing field because in-state yards face higher labor, wage and permitting costs. He named two shipyards that participated in the process: a local yard (Nicholson, per meeting remarks) and Eastern Shipyard in Florida, and said the prequalification process had narrowed an initial pool of interested firms to three prequalified bidders and two actual bids.
Sowers also said bids were required to reflect current tariff rates and that, if tariff rates change, the state would own that risk per the contract language. He expressed WSF’s interest in encouraging a broader bidding field and noted challenges some yards cited in continuing in the process.
No contract award was announced at the meeting; WSF said it would complete evaluations and post a contract award decision after further checks.
