South Siesta nourishment slated for 2014

Much of the 6.5 acres of dune vegetation and 922,300 cubic yards of sand placed on Turtle Beach in 2007 has since washed away.

Sarasota County coastal engineers estimated the next renourishment would be required in roughly a decade. But the pace of erosion was quicker than expected, which moved the estimated timeline for the second phase of the Turtle Beach Restoration project to 2014.

County procurement staff posted the advertisement online for the contract Sept. 20 and will be accepting bids for the work until 2:30 p.m. Oct. 19. The solicitation states that the county desires to complete the project “as quickly as possible” and delegates much of the responsibility to the winning firm, which won’t be chosen in the typical low-bid process.

The contractor picked for the restoration will need to oversee the permitting process, which includes approval from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Further, the firm will need to conduct a search for new sand because the suitable sand at the four locations in the Gulf of Mexico dredged for the 2007 nourishment is “nearly depleted,” according to project information. The county estimates the project will take six months and be complete in March 2015.

Fifteen firms downloaded the bid information, which requires a request for proposal that will be graded on a 20-point scale. Procurement staff will rank the firms based on six points for their perceived ability and personnel, six points for past projects and seven points for their project approach. One point will be awarded to firms that are certified as a Minority Business Enterprise.

Kimley-Horn and Associates, the company overseeing the $21 million Siesta Key Beach Improvement project, is among the plan holders.

State grants and $6 million from the tourist development taxes are expected to cover the renourishment costs.