Project Information

Bid Title

Request for Proposals (RFP) Design and Engineering Services for Marina Docks

Issuing Agency

Dunkirk city

Location

New York

Published Date

Dec 12, 2025

Closing Date

Feb 6, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Project Description

Request for Proposals (RFP)

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The City of Dunkirk, New York, is seeking proposals from qualified firms to provide professional design and engineering services for the rehabilitation, replacement, and/or expansion of marina docks (Project) located on the Lake Erie waterfront. The City’s goal is to enhance recreational boating facilities, improve safety and accessibility, encourage and support charter boat fishing, promote local and national walleye fishing competitions, and support and foster economic development along the waterfront. The Project is a part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), Round Six, that was awarded to City of Dunkirk in 2023.  The Project received a $2,000,000 award from New York State, administered and oversight provided by New York Department of State.  The Project title is: Expand the City of Dunkirk Marina through New Docks, Contract Number C1002977.  The budget for this project is $2,000,000 inclusive of full design costs, bidding services, construction administration, and project closeout.

The deadline for submission is February 6, 2026.

Full RFP Download

Attachments Download

Please address questions and submit proposal to:

Vincent DeJoy, Director of Planning & Development
vdejoy@cityofdunkirk.com
716-366-9879
342 Central Avenue
Dunkirk, NY 14048

Attachment Preview

Request for Proposals (RFP)

Design and Engineering Services for Marina Docks

City of Dunkirk, New York

I. Introduction

The City of Dunkirk, New York, is seeking proposals from qualified firms to provide

professional design and engineering services for the rehabilitation, replacement, and/or

expansion of marina docks (Project) located on the Lake Erie waterfront. The City’s goal is to

enhance recreational boating facilities, improve safety and accessibility, encourage and support

charter boat fishing, promote local and national walleye fishing competitions, and support and

foster economic development along the waterfront.

The Project is a part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), Round Six, that was

awarded to City of Dunkirk in 2023. The Project received a $2,000,000 award from New York

State, administered and oversight provided by New York Department of State. The Project title

is: Expand the City of Dunkirk Marina through New Docks, Contract Number C1002977.

The DRI Project Proposal as included from the Strategic Investment Plan is included as

Attachment A.

The budget for this project is $2,000,000 inclusive of full design costs, bidding services,

construction administration, and project closeout.

Attachment C-Work Plan from the Department of State DRI Contract.

A full copy of the Contract between New York Department of State and City of Dunkirk is

included as Attachment D.

The marina and the City’s connection with the Lake Erie waterfront is the key component and

strategy for the DRI to revitalize the downtown of Dunkirk. Additional capital projects DRI

awards for projects on the Lake Erie lakefront are included in this area to create a growth

dynamic that will attract additional public and private investment in and around the lakefront.

The marina is a critical component to the City’s downtown and waterfront revitalization

strategies.

The Dunkirk Harbor has recently been studied with funding from NY Sea Grant to address the

prevalence of the destructive forces of wave action and sediment accumulation. Dunkirk NY:

Coastal Landscape Assessment for Nature Based Solutions.

In May and June 2025 respectively, City of Dunkirk submitted grant application to NOAA

(Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Tribes and Underserved Communities)

and NY Department of State (Environmental Bond Act of 2022: Coastal Rehabilitation and

Resilience Projects) for funding to implement a nature-based solution with final design and

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engineering, permitting, and construction of a structure attached to the inner break wall in the

marina that will block waves coming from the north-east that reflect off the Dunkirk Pier, and

reverberate through the marina. The proposed “dog-leg” would also promote fish habitat and

direct sediment to the east to create more beach area. See Attachment B, Project Map, from grant

applications.

While the proposed "dog-leg" extension to the existing breakwater is expected to provide

enhanced protection to the marina and improve marina conditions, the design and construction of

new docks and related amenities is independent of the breakwater extension project. The design

of new docks should contemplate docking solutions with potential to attenuate marina

conditions, particularly if funding cannot be secured for the breakwater extension.

II. Project Overview

The Dunkirk waterfront and marina system serves residents, tourists, and transient boaters. The

existing docks are in need of modernization to address aging infrastructure, changing water

levels, and increased demand.

The location of the City owned Dunkirk Marina is on Lake Erie in Dunkirk Harbor adjacent to

the Dunkirk Pier (SBL# 79.11-1-1.1). City of Dunkirk is the owner of the marina and the Project

with the Marina being currently operated by Chadwick Bay Marina through a lease arrangement.

The City of Dunkirk will improve the Dunkirk Marina East Side by:

1) Replacing existing floating docks with permanent dock structures, increasing the capacity

of boat slips by 40% from 136 to 265 (estimated)

2) Upgrading electrical and water service for docks

3) Establishing a closed-circuit camera security system

The most critical need is replacement of the existing floating docks with permanent docks that

will eliminate the operational costs and wear and tear associated with the removal and

reinstallation of temporary docks each boating season. This will leverage additional private

investment to further improve the marina and the experience for the current boaters while also

attracting new boat owners. Electrical and water supply upgrades to the docks will safely provide

individual boat slip power throughout the new docking system. The current electrical distribution

system does not meet current marine code and poses safety hazards for the boaters and those

using the docks.

The selected consultant will provide planning, design, and engineering services to develop

construction documents for the marina docks. The scope may include:

• Condition assessment of existing docks, utilities, and infrastructure.

• Conceptual and final design alternatives.

• Engineering drawings and specifications.

• Integration of utilities (electric, water, pump-out).

• Consideration of ADA accessibility

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• Design for resiliency against Lake Erie’s variable conditions including lake levels.

• Cost estimates and phasing recommendations.

• Assistance with permitting and regulatory approvals (NYSDEC, USACE, etc.).

III. Scope of Services

The consultant will:

1. Conduct site visits, stakeholder meetings, and data collection.

2. Prepare preliminary design concepts for review.

3. Develop final design and engineering drawings.

4. Provide cost estimates and value engineering recommendations.

5. Assist with regulatory and environmental review processes.

6. Deliver bid-ready construction documents.

7. Assist with bid solicitation, including evaluating construction bids, as well as provide full

construction monitoring and oversight to ensure project delivery including reviewing

construction work relative to engineering drawings, reviewing and approving

construction contractor payments, ensuring all safety protocols and regulatory

requirements are followed, etc.

8. Provide construction-phase support as needed.

IV. Proposal Requirements

Proposals must include:

• Firm qualifications, including relevant marina/waterfront design experience.

• Project team members and resumes.

• Understanding of project objectives and approach.

• Proposed scope of services and work plan.

• Estimated project schedule.

• Fee proposal (lump sum or hourly with not-to-exceed).

• References from similar projects.

V. MBE/WBE REQUIREMENTS

An overall goal of 30% for Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (“MWBE”) has

been established for this project.

This requirement is further broken down into specific goals of 15% for Minority- Owned

Business Enterprises (“MBE”) participation and 15% for Women-Owned Business Enterprises

(“WBE”) participation.

For purposes of providing meaningful participation by MWBEs and achieving the Contract

Goals established, the selected consultant should reference the directory of New York State

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Certified MBWEs found at the following internet address:

https://ny.newnycontracts.com/FrontEnd/searchcertifieddirectory.asp

If your firm is not a certified MWBE, the 30% overall goal can be met with the addition of

MWBE certified sub-contractors to project team.

VI. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on a point value assigned that will add up to [100] possible

points:

• Demonstrated experience in marina and waterfront projects. [25]

• Technical expertise of project team. [10]

• Quality and clarity of project approach. [10]

• Understanding of local, state, and federal regulatory requirements. [15]

• Ability to meet project schedule and budget. [10]

• References and past performance. [5]

• Cost competitiveness. [20]

• MWBE utilization with contractors and subcontractors [5]

VII. Submission Instructions

• Deadline: February 6, 2026

• Submission: Proposals must be submitted in PDF format via email to

vdejoy@cityofdunkirk.com and/or delivered in hard copy to:

City of Dunkirk

Attn: Vince DeJoy, Director of Planning & Development

342 Central Avenue

Dunkirk, NY 14048

• Questions regarding this RFP must be submitted in writing by January 23, 2026

• Responses will be shared with all interested parties on City website or direct request to:

vdejoy@cityofdunkirk.com or 716-366-9879.

• Interested firms can "register" their interest by sending their contact information by

January 23, 2026 to vdejoy@cityofdunkirk.com ensure they receive answers to

questions, RFP amendments, and/or other supporting documentation that may be made

available to potential respondents.

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VII. Schedule (Tentative)

• RFP Issued: December 15, 2025

• Questions Due: January 23, 2026

• Responses to Questions Posted As they are received

• Proposals Due: February 6, 2026

• Selection/Interviews: February 20 – February 26, 2026

• Award/Contract: April 21, 2026

• Project Kickoff: May 4, 2026

VIII. Reservation of Rights

The City of Dunkirk reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive irregularities, and

negotiate with any proposer. This RFP does not obligate the City to award a contract or pay costs

incurred in preparing a proposal.

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541330Engineering Services

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