PROJECT OVERVIEW
FERRY FLEET REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District (District) has embarked on a fleet replacement program utilizing a Design-Bid-Build process. The newest of the existing high speed catamaran vessels is 25 years old. The complete fleet replacement is expected by 2033, and vessels will be retired from passenger service as their replacement LIWA class vessels are delivered. The 500 passenger, high-speed catamaran vessels will provide transportation services for customers within the U.S. Highway 101 Golden Gate Corridor and operate within established District routes with service from Larkspur, Sausalito, and Tiburon to the San Francisco Ferry Building. This project will be funded in part with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds and will include a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) project goal.
FIRST NEW VESSEL EXPECTED IN 2027
The MV Liwa is a 500-passenger high-speed catamaran expected to be in service in 2027 and represents a significant leap in efficiency and emission reduction compared to the existing fleet. The MV Liwa will bring an 80% reduction in emissions and require 30% less power due to an improved hull design, while providing the same high-speed service our customers expect.
FUTURE FLEET
The MV Liwa is the first ferry of our future fleet, which will consist of seven or eight identical vessels providing a standardized experience across Golden Gate Ferry. The “Liwa” class vessels meet emissions standards set by the California Air Resources Board. Nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions will be reduced by 85% and 95%, respectively, compared to existing ferries. The ferries will have an efficient hull design and consume about 30% less fuel than the current high-speed catamarans in service.
The Liwa-class design represents a significant evolution in the District’s fleet, integrating advanced propulsion technology, terminal compatibility features, and regulatory compliance considerations into a single vessel platform.
Unlike the current fleet, the Liwa will be able to serve every route the District offers. The vessels are designed with comfortable seating, good accessibility, efficient boarding and disembarking, and ample bicycle capacity.
FERRY FLEET REPLACEMENT PROGRAM MILESTONES
- September 2, 2023 - District awarded a design and engineering contract to Aurora Marine Design for the design of the new 500 passenger ferry
- June 27, 2025 - District issued Request for Proposals for construction of first two Liwa class vessels
- November 14, 2025 District’s Board of Directors authorize award of contract for Mavrik Marine for first two Liwa Class vessels
- March 11, 2026 - District issues Notice to Proceed to Mavrik for construction of the Liwa
- April 23, 2026 - Liwa keel laid
PROJECT HISTORY
CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW BUILD FERRY
The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District (District) intends to release a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for detailed engineering and design of one (1) new passenger-only 46 CFR subchapter K ferry vessel in the fall/winter of FY 21/22. This will be the start of the Design-Bid-Build process. The construction phase will be performed pursuant to a contract let separately from this RFQ.
The catamaran passenger vessel will provide transportation services for customers within the U.S. Highway 101 Golden Gate Corridor and operate in established District routes with service from Larkspur, Sausalito, and Tiburon, to the San Francisco Ferry Building. The expected passenger count is 450 with a service speed of 30+ knots. This 450-passenger vessel design and construction project will be funded in part with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds and will include a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) project goal.
Per FTA regulations, a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) project goal of 1.04% is proposed for this procurement. District staff held a Public Participation meeting on October 13, 2021, to give an overview of the project and technical specifications, discuss the proposed DBE project goal for comments and evaluation, and answer general questions. This Public Participation meeting was a joint effort with the San Francisco Bay Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) that also intended to procure a new ferry vessel.
UPDATES
Based on comments received on October 13, 2021, during the Joint Public Participation meeting, the updated DBE project goal is 1.55%. To hear comments, please scroll down to listen to the recording for this meeting.
DBE PROJECT GOAL BACKGROUND
Effective November 3, 2014, modifications to 49 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Part 26, Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in Department of Transportation Financial Assistance Program, includes ferries in the definition of Transit Vehicle Manufacturers (TVMs). 49 C.F.R. Part 26, §26.49 requires each TVM, as a condition of being authorized to bid or propose on FTA-assisted transit vehicle procurements, must have a DBE Program or have submitted DBE goal methodology to FTA. TVMs must have an approved goal methodology and be listed on FTA’s certified TVM list at the time of solicitation in order to be eligible to bid on the recipient's TVM projects.
Because there are no shipyards listed on FTA’s certified TVM list, the District may request FTA’s approval to establish a DBE project-specific goal for DBE participation in the procurement of transit vehicles in lieu of complying through the procedures of §26.49. Part of the requirements for establishing the project goal is to provide meaningful consultation with stakeholders to review and provide input on the proposed DBE project goal.
CALIFORNIA UNIFIED CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (CUCP)
The CUCP provides "one-stop shopping" certification services to small, minority, and women-owned businesses seeking to participate in the U.S. Department of Transportation DBE Program. Learn more here.
How to Find DBEs?
The District will only accept DBE firms certified through the CUCP. DBEs are required to be certified with the CUCP upon contract award. The CUCP DBE database contains up-to-date information on certified DBE firms and is required to be used to search for DBE firms in an effort to meet the DBE project goal and contracting requirements. The entire database can be downloaded or exported. To find a certified DBE firm, visit https://caltrans.dbesystem.com/.
How to Become a Certified DBE?
The CUCP is charged with overseeing DBE certification activities performed by the various certifying agency members. CUCP certifying agency members are responsible for certifying DBEs. It is not necessary to apply for DBE certification at more than one agency. For more information, or to complete the online DBE application, please visit https://caltrans.dbesystem.com/.
DBEs that are certified in their “home state” located outside of California, may go through an interstate certification process with the CUCP. There is an expedited application for interstate DBE certification, however, this process can still take 30-60 days. Firms may request a copy of the out-of-state declaration by writing to DBE.Certification@dot.ca.gov. The District is not a CUCP certifying agency member.
The District and WETA held an Interstate DBE Certification Webinar on October 20, 2021. Caltrans provided an overview of the interstate certification process and requirements.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM
Read the District’s DBE and Small Business Enterprise Program (SBE) Element:
Diversity Program for Contracts (PDF)
FTA’s DBE requirements:
www.transit.dot.gov/dbe
DISTRICT CONTACTS
Director of Ferry Engineering and Maintenance, Ferry Division
Manager, SBE Compliance Programs
JOINT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MEETING
On October 13, 2021, District staff hosted a Joint Public Participation meeting with the San Francisco Bay Water Emergency Transportation Authority to discuss both agencies' intent to procure new ferry vessels. This meeting was an opportunity to discuss and comment on the District's proposed DBE project goal for the new ferry build procurement.
INTERSTATE DBE CERTIFICATION WEBINAR
On October 20, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. (PST), District staff and the San Francisco Bay Water Emergency Transportation Authority hosted a Joint Interstate Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification Webinar, presented by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), to provide an overview of the interstate certification process and requirements. Out-of-state DBE firms that are certified with the California Unified Certification Program (CUCP) will only be accepted for credit toward DBE project goals. For questions, contact Caltrans' Certification "Analyst of the Day" M-F, 8 AM-5 PM at 916-324-1700 or DBE.certification@dot.ca.gov.