Amendment No. 7 Global Request and Response.pdf

Jeremiah Winston

Global Diving & Salvage, Inc.

3840 W Marginal Way SW

Seattle, WA 98106 Jwinston@gdiving.com October 17, 2025

Aaron Bretz

Port of Newport

600 SE Bay Boulevard

Newport, OR 97365

Subject: Request for Provision of Hazardous Materials Analytical Data – Promoting Cost Efficiency and Fair Competition

Dear Mr. Bretz, Global Diving & Salvage, Inc. respectfully submits this letter to formally request that the Port reconsiders conducting a comprehensive hazardous materials survey of the proposed vessels prior to issuance of the RFP for the disposal of vessels in port custody.

Our intent is to promote a level playing field during the bidding process while ensuring that all contractors are working with the same baseline information. The availability of comprehensive analytical data allows contractors to make informed decisions when developing work plans, selecting appropriate abatement methods, obtaining required permits, and preparing accurate, competitive bids.

This question was broadly asked during the site visit on the 14th. This letter is intended to expand on the site visit questions. We look forward to receiving the formal answers to these concerns.

Without this critical information, contractors are left to assume worst-case scenarios, often leading to inflated cost estimates to mitigate unknown risks. This approach results in increased overall project costs and places undue burden on both the contracting agency and the bidders. Additionally, inconsistent access to hazardous materials data may inadvertently create an uneven competitive landscape.

We believe that providing a comprehensive hazardous materials assessment in advance will:

1. Reduce overall project costs and the potential for overruns by quantifying the volume of hazardous waste streams and allowing potential bidders to provide a reasonable cost estimate for disposal before starting operations.

2. Improve the accuracy and fairness of submitted bids, ensuring all contractors are operating under the same assumptions and requirements.

3. Enhance safety planning and regulatory compliance from the outset of the project by identifying the presence of hazardous materials and ensuring proper mitigation and disposal under state and local regulations.

4. Streamline project timelines by minimizing delays related to discovery and mitigation of unforeseen environmental hazards.

We appreciate your consideration of this request and your commitment to ensuring fair and transparent procurement practices. Global Diving & Salvage remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of environmental safety and operational efficiency, and we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with your team in support of these shared goals.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if additional information or clarification is needed.

Sincerely, Project Manager / GOV Liaison Global Diving & Salvage, Inc.

458-299-5472

Jwinston@gdiving.com

600 S.E. BAY BOULEVARD NEWPORT, OREGON 97365 PHONE (541) 265-7758 FAX (541) 265-4235 www.portofnewport.com

Serving the Maritime & Recreational Communities Newport International Terminal (541) 265-9651 Newport Marina at South Beach (541) 867-3321

10/20/2025

Global Diving and Salvage, Inc.

3840 W Marginal Way SW Seattle, WA 98106

Re: Your October 17th Letter Requesting Reconsideration of the ADV Disposal Project Scope

Dear Mr. Winston:

We received your request that the Port undertake a comprehensive hazardous materials survey of the abandoned vessels at the Port prior to commencement of the disposal project. We appreciate the points you expressed from the contractor’s point of view, but have decided to leave this work up to the contractors submitting proposals on the project.

We understand that having this work already completed at the point the contractor begins disposal would make for a more linear proposal effort. The Port, however, does not conduct hazardous materials surveys as part of its primary operations, so we are naturally seeking to contract this work out. It makes sense from the Port’s perspective to allow the contractor who would dispose of any material to have the opportunity to make their own assessment as to the characterization and handling of that material, particularly since the Port was subject to the abandonment of these vessels on Port property.

To avoid confusion, and to allow the contractor to select means and methods that could potentially improve upon safety and efficiency, we are asking the contractor to be in control of the disposal of waste. This includes any degree of characterization that might be required; our experience has been that coordination of this process is best when a single entity is contracted to perform the work.

Once more, we would like to reiterate that we extend any access to the vessels that any contractor bidding on this project would like, so that they can have a better idea of what the project will involve. Access to the vessels can be arranged through appointment and will be granted at your own risk. Any questions that may arise as the result of exploration of these vessels shall be submitted in writing so that all parties proposing on this project have access to the same information. Port personnel are not authorized to answer verbal inquiries about the vessels, and all questions will be addressed by an addendum to the RFP, released publicly.

Sincerely, Aaron Bretz, Deputy Director Port of Newport abretz@portofnewport.com http://www.portofnewport.com/ mailto:abretz@portofnewport.com