Project Information

Bid Title

Water Taxi Services

Issuing Agency

City of St. Helens

Location

Oregon

Published Date

Apr 21, 2026

Closing Date

Jun 1, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Water Taxi Services

Bid/RFP Status:

Open - accepting bids and proposals

Bid/RFP Due Date:

Monday, June 1, 2026 - 3:00pm

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The City of St. Helens is seeking proposals from qualified and experienced operators to provide water taxi services utilizing a publicly owned vessel and waterfront access points and related infrastructure.  The selected contractor will operate, maintain, and manage water taxi services for public and/or private use in a manner that maximizes economic and community benefit.

You may direct any questions to City Administrator John Walsh at jwalsh@sthelensoregon.gov .

Please see the RFP for pertinent dates related to this request.

The deadline to submit a proposal is June 1, 2026 at 3:00PM.

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Supporting Documents

Water Taxi Services RFP (1 MB)

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

Water Taxi Services for the City of St. Helens

1. Introduction

The City of St. Helens, Oregon (“City”) is seeking proposals from qualified and experienced

operators to provide water taxi services utilizing publicly owned waterfront access points and

related infrastructure. The selected contractor will operate, maintain, and manage water taxi

services for public and/or private use in a manner that maximizes economic and community

benefit.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this RFP is to:

• Establish reliable and safe water taxi services

• Enhance connectivity along the Columbia River, Sand Island, and surrounding areas

• Promote tourism, economic development, and community engagement

• Generate revenue and shared economic value for the City of St. Helens

3. Scope of Services

The selected contractor shall:

• Provide fully operational water taxi services for passengers

• Maintain vessel in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations

• Ensure vessel is maintained in a seaworthy condition at all times

• Comply with all applicable United States Coast Guard (USCG) documentation, inspection,

certification, and operational requirements

• Operate the following vessel: - Vessel Name: FISHEAGLE OSPREY - Official Number:

1346529 - Oregon Vessel ID: OR802XC - Dimensions: 10 feet by 40 feet quadtoon deck

configuration - Propulsion: Twin 2021 115 HP Honda outboard engines - Features: - Canvas

top - Forward motorized landing ramp to facilitate passenger loading and unloading -

Gated dock access from both port and starboard sides

• Operate on schedules and routes approved by the City

• Offer services for both public transportation and private charter opportunities

• Ensure accessibility and inclusivity where feasible

Water Tax Services RFP – April 2026

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• Provide customer service, ticketing, and operational management

• Ensure the vessel is operated at all times by a properly qualified and appropriately licensed

captain

• Provide qualified crew members as required for safe and compliant operation in

accordance with applicable laws and regulations

• Provide and be solely responsible for moorage of the vessel during operational seasons

including secure storage of the vessel on land (“on the hard”) during non-operational or

off-season periods

4. Economic Benefit Requirements

Proposers must clearly outline:

• Direct and indirect economic benefits to the St. Helens community

• Job creation and local hiring strategies

• Partnerships with local businesses and tourism organizations

• Expected increase in visitor activity and local spending

5. Revenue Sharing

Proposals must include a detailed revenue-sharing model with the City, including:

• Percentage of gross or net revenues shared with the City

• Minimum annual guarantees, if applicable

• Additional financial or in-kind contributions

6. Regulatory Compliance

The contractor shall ensure full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local maritime

laws and regulations.

A. Jones Act Compliance

Operations may be subject to the Passenger Vessel Services Act, 46 U.S.C. § 55103 (commonly

referred to as the Jones Act passenger vessel provisions), which generally requires that vessels

transporting passengers between points in the United States be U.S.-built, U.S.-flagged, and U.S.-

owned, unless a valid waiver applies.

Water Tax Services RFP – April 2026

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The vessel and its operations may be subject to the Jones Act small vessel waiver program. The

contractor is solely responsible for:

• Understanding and complying with all applicable requirements of 46 U.S.C. § 55103

• Obtaining and maintaining any required waivers or approvals

• Ensuring continued eligibility for lawful operation

B. Proposal Requirements

Proposers must include in their submission:

• A statement confirming whether the vessel is Jones Act compliant or operating under a

waiver

• Documentation of waiver status, if applicable

• A description of how compliance will be maintained throughout the contract term

C. Risk Allocation

The contractor assumes all risk associated with Jones Act compliance, including but not limited

to:

• Denial, expiration, or revocation of any waiver

• Changes in federal law or regulatory interpretation

In the event that the contractor is unable to legally operate due to Jones Act non-compliance or

waiver issues:

• The contractor shall be deemed in material breach of the agreement

• The City may suspend operations or terminate the agreement for cause

• The contractor shall not be entitled to compensation for lost revenues or damages

resulting from such non-compliance

7. Insurance Requirements

The selected contractor shall:

• Maintain commercial general liability insurance of no less than $5,000,000 per

occurrence

• Indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the City of St. Helens

• Name the City of St. Helens as an additional insured on all applicable policies

• Provide proof of insurance prior to contract execution

Water Tax Services RFP – April 2026

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8. Proposal Requirements

Proposals must include:

A. Company Information

• Legal name and structure

• Relevant experience in marine transportation or similar services

• References from comparable projects

B. Operational Plan

• Proposed routes and schedules

• Vessel specifications and capacity

• Staffing plan and qualifications

• Safety and compliance measures

C. Financial Proposal

• Detailed pricing structure

• Revenue projections

• Revenue-sharing proposal

D. Economic Impact Statement

• Community benefit analysis

• Local engagement strategy

E. Risk Management

• Insurance coverage details

• Safety protocols

• Contingency planning

9. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on a best value framework, including:

• Value to the City (30%)

o Revenue-sharing structure

o Financial sustainability

o Risk mitigation

• Value to the Community (30%)

o Economic development impact

o Accessibility and inclusivity

o Community partnerships

o Ability to utilize vessel to expand access to waterfront, Sand Island, and

underserved locations

• Operational Excellence (25%)

o Experience and qualifications

o Feasibility of operational plan

o Safety and compliance record

Water Tax Services RFP – April 2026

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• Vessel Utilization & Service Innovation (15%)

o Effective use of vessel

o Ability to serve varied landing conditions (dock, shoreline, events)

o Passenger experience and comfort

10. Minimum Vessel Performance Standards

The contractor shall operate the vessel in a manner that fully utilizes its design and capabilities,

including but not limited to:

• Boarding & Accessibility

o Use of the forward motorized landing ramp for safe and efficient passenger

boarding

o Capability to accommodate passengers with mobility limitations where feasible

o Safe embarkation from docks, shorelines, and non-standard landing areas

• Passenger Safety & Capacity

o Maintain safe passenger loading limits in accordance with USCG certification

o Ensure clear ingress/egress pathways at all times

o Maintain safety railings and secure boarding conditions

• Operational Flexibility

o Ability to operate in shallow water and variable shoreline conditions

o Utilize dual port and starboard access points for efficient loading/unloading

• Passenger Experience

o Provide covered seating or standing areas for weather protection

o Maintain clean, safe, and functional passenger spaces

• Maintenance & Readiness

o Ensure all vessel systems, including ramp mechanisms and engines, are

maintained in reliable working order

o Conduct regular inspections and preventative maintenance

Failure to meet these performance standards may be considered non-compliance and subject to

penalties as outlined in this RFP.

11. Scored Narrative Requirement – Vessel Utilization

Proposers shall include a detailed narrative describing how they will utilize the full capabilities of

the FISHEAGLE OSPREY to deliver high-value service to the City and community.

This section will be scored and must address:

• Use of Landing Ramp

o How the forward motorized ramp will be used to support shoreline access, events,

and non-traditional landings

Water Tax Services RFP – April 2026

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 485310Taxi Service

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