TO: Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
Kylie Yanchula, Natural Resources Director
FROM: Quintin Bergman, Coastal Resources Manager
DATE: October 6, 2025
SUBJECT: Award of Bid 2025060 - Sector 5 Hurricanes Ian and Nicole Beach and Dune Restoration Project
__________________________________________________________________
BACKGROUND
The proposed project award is for a construction contract between the County and Guettler Brothers Construction LLC, for the Sector 5 Hurricanes Ian and Nicole Beach and Dune Restoration Project (Sector 5 Project).
The Sector 5 project area is a 3.1 mile critically eroded section of engineered shoreline that extends just north of Tracking Station Beach Park and ends just south of the Riomar Beach Access. The Sector 5 Project Area suffered significant storm related losses to the beach and dune system from the impacts of Hurricanes Ian and Nicole during the 2022 hurricane season, as well as having experienced background erosion since the last nourishment event. Sector 5 is in need of a large-scale beach and dune restoration project to protect upland properties and infrastructure, while restoring habitat for wildlife. Construction activities on the beach are limited to between November 1st and April 30th each year, avoiding the bulk of the sea turtle nesting and hatching season. Construction of the Sector 5 Project is anticipated to occur during the 2025/2026 construction window.
The Sector 5 Project will place approximately 153,300 cubic yards of beach compatible sand fill and install approximately 117,500 native dune plants along 3.1 miles of shoreline in Indian River County from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) range monuments R70 to R86.
On September 3, 2025, the County advertised the project (Bid 2025060), soliciting bids to construct the Sector 5 Project using sand obtained from either (a) an upland sand source pre-qualified by the County, and/or (b) an upland sand source separately approved by the FDEP.
The bid opening was held on October 6, 2025 with six (6) responsive bids having been received. All supporting bid documents are on file and available for viewing in the Natural Resources Department.
|
Bidder |
Cost |
|
Guettler Brothers Construction LLC. |
$ 6,552,025.00 |
|
Dickerson Florida, Inc. |
$ 7,311,575.00 |
|
Custom Built Marine Construction |
$ 7,485,332.00 |
|
RIO-BAK CORPORATION |
$ 8,274,741.00 |
|
Ranger Construction Industries, Inc. |
$ 8,284,310.00 |
|
Eastman Aggregate Enterprises, LLC |
$ 10,963,993.00 |
County staff, with support from the County’s engineering consultant for the project, APTIM Environmental and Infrastructure, LLC (APTIM) reviewed the bids. Guettler Brothers Construction LLC, is considered the be the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder for the project with a bid totaling $6,552,025.
Partial reimbursement funding for the Sector 5 Project is available through FDEP's Hurricanes Ian and Nicole Recovery Project Grant 23IR2 in the amount of $885,600 for Sector 5, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) obligated federal assistance along with Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) funding for losses attributed to Hurricanes Ian and Nicole is estimated to be $2,358,712. Additionally, the County has applied for additional funds through FDEP's Beach Management Funding Assistance Program via a Local Government Funding Request (LGFR Grant). Review of the County's LGFR Grant application is underway and may result in additional funds being awarded to the County. Funds not covered by the sources identified above will be provided through the Tourist Development Tax.
Current Funding Summary:
|
Funding Source |
Amount |
|
FEMA + FDEM |
$ 2,358,712.00 |
|
FDEP (23IR2) |
$ 885,600.00 |
|
Grants Sub-Total |
$ 3,244,312.00 |
|
County Share |
$ 3,307,713.00 |
|
Project Total |
$ 6,552,025.00 |
ANALYSIS
N/A
BUDGETARY IMPACT
Local funding for beach restoration is provided by a portion of Tourist Tax. With the existing awarded grant and FEMA/FDEM reimbursement funding, the County's estimated share for construction of the Sector 5 Hurricanes Ian and Nicole Beach and Dune Restoration Project is $3,307,713.00, which is budgeted in the Coastal Engineering Fund/CIP/Hurricane Ian - Sector 5, Account # 12814472-066510-22601 (22%) and from Coastal Engineering Fund/CIP/Storm Nicole - Sector 5 Account # 12814472-066510-23007 (78%). If the current LGFR Grant application is awarded, the County cost share will be lowered by the amount of State funds identified in the LGFR Grant agreement.
|
Account Name |
Account No. |
Amount |
|
Coastal Engineering Fund/CIP/Hurricane Ian - Sector 5 |
12814472-066510-22601 |
$ 727,696.86 |
|
Coastal Engineering Fund/CIP/Storm Nicole - Sector 5 |
12814472-066510-23007 |
$ 2,580,016.14 |
|
Total |
|
$ 3,307,713.00 |
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTIONS
Approval of Agreement - Aptim Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc. for Engineering and Biological Support Services for Sector 5 (City of Vero Beach) Beach and Dune Renourishment Project. RFQ# 2018029, April 3, 2018.
Approval of FDEP Grant Agreement No. 23IR2, June 20, 2023
Approval of Work Order No. 2018029-13 - APTIM Sector 5 Pre-Construction and Engineering Services, May 20, 2025.
Approval of Grant Application for Funding Assistance from the State of Florida Beach Erosion Control Program - FY 2026/27, June 17, 2025.
POTENTIAL FUTURE BOARD ACTIONS
Approval of a future Release of Retainage for the Sector 5 Project
Approval of a possible LGFR Grant Agreement
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Environment
OTHER PLAN ALIGNMENT
The Sector 5 management area is one of the 8 management areas outlined in the Beach Preservation Plan.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Sector 5 Hurricanes Ian and Nicole Beach and Dune Restoration Project (Bid 2025060) be awarded to Guettler Brothers Construction LLC, in the amount of $6,552,025.00 and request that the Board County Commissioners approve the sample agreement and authorize the Chairmen to execute said agreement after review and approval of the agreement by the County Attorney as to form and legal sufficiency, and after receipt and approval of the require public construction bond and insurance.