Advertisement for Bids The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory Ocean Springs, MS Notice To Contractors Reef Augmentation #2 Sealed bids will be received by The University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in the Halstead Campus Receiving Office, located at 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39564, until 2:00 p.m. CDT Friday, February 20th, 2026, for supplying all labor, equipment, and materials necessary for the construction of the above referenced project. All bids received will be publicly opened and read aloud. If anyone prefers to submit their bid electronically, please follow the instructions below using the following website: https://www.ms.gov/dfa/contract_bid_search/Home/Sell. If you are not already registered in this system, potential bidders will first need to click on "Supplier Registration" and follow the steps outlined (a one-time process). Once registered, return to the original website, and click on "Procurement Opportunities" where you can either search by keyword for the bid you desire to respond to or leave the search box blank and click "Search" for a listing of all current bids and proposals for the various State of Mississippi offices. The work shall consist essentially of the following items: contractor to perform a second augmentation to multiple one acre oyster reef plots (2 per lease area) within four 50-acre lease areas, including surficial enhancements of #57 limestone gravel substrate to the designated plots at time TBD in the spring-summer of 2026. All other related items of work required to complete the project as shown and specified in the Contract Documents. The above general outline of features of the work does not in any way limit the responsibility of the contractor to perform all work and furnish all labor, equipment and materials required by the specifications and the drawings referred to therein. Detailed specifications may be secured from the above office upon request or onour website https://www.usm.edu/procurement-contract-services/current-bid-opportunities, or by calling 228-818-8001 and referencing bid #26-17. The attention of bidders is directed to the Special Provisions governing selection and employment of labor. Minimum wage rates for Federal-Aid projects have been predetermined by the Secretary of Labor and are subject to Public Law 87-581 Work Hours Act of 1962, as set forth in the Contract Provisions. The University of Southern Mississippi hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged and women's business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award. The award of this contract will be contingent upon the Contractor satisfying the DBE/WBE requirements. Each bid shall be accompanied by a Certified Check on a solvent bank or a Bidder's Bond issued by a Surety Company licensed to operate in the State of Mississippi, in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total bid price, payable to the University of Southern Mississippi as bid security. Bidders shall also submit a current financial statement, if requested by the University. The successful bidder will be required to furnish a performance and payment bond in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the contract amount. Both bonds shall be signed and countersigned by a Mississippi Resident Agent. The proposal and contract documents in its entirety shall be submitted in a sealed envelope and deposited with the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory Halstead Campus Receiving Office, Ocean Springs, Mississippi prior to the hour and date above designated. The University of Southern Mississippi reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive technicalities or irregularities, or to advertise for new proposals, and the decision of the University to reject any bid or proposal shall not be cause for any liability or damages against the University of Southern Mississippi, any officers, or employees. The bidder must agree to commence work on or before a date to be specified in a written "Notice to Proceed" of the Owner and to fully complete the project within the Contract Time. The bidder must also agree to pay as liquidated damages the sum specified in the Standard Specifications per day for each calendar day of overrun in Contract Time that work is not completed. The attention of Bidders is directed to the provisions of Subsection 102.07 pertaining to irregular proposals and rejection of bids. Millissa Weaver Procurement Coordinator Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (228) 818-8001Publish IPL0305450 Jan 18,25 2026