The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has issued a request for proposals for the construction of a replacement vessel for the Alaska Marine Highway System’s (AMHS) Tustumena.
The new vessel was designed by Glosten, Seattle. The newbuild is planned as an ocean-class passenger and vehicle ferry with diesel-electric propulsion. According to DOT&PF, the project is intended to improve capacity, modernize onboard safety systems, increase seaworthiness, and enhance passenger comfort for service in Alaska’s coastal routes.
The solicitation, listed as Project No. AK-2024-025-02-00 / SFTAG00719, calls for qualified shipyards to furnish all labor, materials, and equipment necessary to construct the replacement vessel. DOT&PF has set an engineer’s estimate of over $100 million for the project. The contract completion date is Jan. 31, 2029.
Sealed bids are due by 2:00 p.m. AST on May 28, and will be received at the Office of the Contracts Engineer, Engineering Services Building, Room 3, 2301 Peger Road, Fairbanks, Alaska.
Plans, specifications, addenda, and related bid documents are available for download through the State of Alaska’s online bidding service.
The state of Alaska said the Tustumena replacement represents one of the largest vessel procurements currently planned for the state ferry system and is a central component of AMHS’s long-term fleet renewal efforts.
