F4513406_FWC21.2287AirboatManufacturerCapabilitiesFINAL.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI): FWC 21/22-87

TITLE: AIRBOAT MANUFACTURER CAPABILITIES

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SCHEDULE DUE DATE METHOD

RFI Advertised March 7, 2022 Posted on the Vendor Bid System:

http://vbs.dms.state.fl.us/vbs/mainmenu

Deadline for Written Questions

Must be received PRIOR to:

March 21, 2022

@ 5:00 PM ET

See Deadline for Written Questions Clause

Answers to Written Questions The Commission’s response to an inquiry will be sent directly to the vendor via email.

Written Response to RFI

Must be received PRIOR to:

April 4, 2022

@ 5:00 PM ET

See Written Response to RFI Clause

STATEMENT OF NEED

This is a Request for Information (RFI) as defined in Section 287.012(22), Florida Statues (F.S.), for informational and planning purposes only. This RFI is issued by the State of Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (“Commission” or “FWC”), to solicit information regarding the services described herein.

An RFI is not a method of procurement. Responses to an RFI are not offers and shall not be accepted by the Commission to form a binding Contract. This RFI and responses to it shall not result in the execution of a Contract with the Commission. By submitting a response to this RFI, a vendor is not prohibited from responding to any related subsequent solicitation. This RFI may be used for purposes of determining whether to competitively procure a commodity or contractual service, determining what solicitation process to use, or researching general, special, and/or technical specifications for a project or solicitation. The Commission reserves the right to utilize the information gathered through the RFI process to develop a scope of services, which may be incorporated into a Contract using a statutorily approved method of procurement.

FWC is seeking information from airboat manufacturers that may determine the capability of a manufacturer to design, build, power, rig, and service a quality high-performance law enforcement airboat capable of safely operating within differing geographic environments. The Commission is requesting this information to assess the availability of capable vendors.

All interested partners are invited to participate in the RFI by submitting a written response as indicated within this RFI document. The information provided because of this RFI is intended to be used to develop

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

1875 ORANGE AVENUE EAST

TALLAHASSEE, FL 32301

(850) 488-6551 http://vbs.dms.state.fl.us/vbs/main_menu

FWC 21/22-76, Page 2 of 4 a future solicitation to a manufacturer that possesses the capabilities, experience, and interest in working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Law Enforcement as described herein.

The Commission reserves the right to use or reject any information supplied in response to this RFI.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Commission’s Division of Law Enforcement’s (hereinafter, “Division”) mission is to protect Florida's natural resources and people through proactive and responsive law enforcement services. To accomplish this, specialized equipment is required. To ensure our officers are provided the safest, most capable mission specific equipment, vendor partnerships are established with those who understand our mission, the diverse geographic environments we are required to work, and the platforms needed to accomplish our responsibilities. Airboat manufacturers that build our platforms are innovators and are aware of agency requirements and the Division’s product expectations. Vendors work closely with select field operators that respect the manufacturers’ subject matter expertise.

RFI RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS

Responses to this RFI shall include the following:

1. The vendor’s complete name, address, telephone number, email address, FEID number and the vendor’s point of contact for this RFI.

2. Name of person identified as the primary point of contact about this RFI to include phone number and email address if other than above.

3. Please provide answers to the following questions. If a brochure or other vendor documentation is used to answer a specific question, please reference the corresponding question number on the document.

1) Please provide Vendor’s history and experience with building law enforcement airboat platforms.

2) How many technical employees do you have dedicated to a build to include, welders, fitters, riggers, etc.?

3) How many law enforcement platforms have been built?

4) Agency contact information on the most recent two law enforcement airboats built.

5) How many airboat platforms have been built for FWC? When and who was your point of contact?

6) Do you sub-out to other entities any part of your manufacturing process? If so, what components?

7) Is your business aware of the FWC Division of Law Enforcement and how its patrol airboats are utilized?

8) What is the average number of airboats (recreational & commercial) that are built each year by your company?

9) What is the average production timeline per boat?

FWC 21/22-76, Page 3 of 4

10) Can you build airboats that operate mostly in saltwater environments?

11) What differences are there in your manufacturing process for an airboat used in saltwater environments vs. freshwater environments?

12) Please list specific warranties for hull, infrastructure, motor, trailer, and other parts of an airboat.

13) Is there customization flexibility from design to mid-build changes?

14) How many jigs do you possess?

15) What engine platforms are available (list manufacturer, hp, torque rating)?

16) What trailer manufacturer options do you have?

17) What is your acceptance protocol?

18) Can we sea-trial prior to sign off?

19) Do you deliver inside the state of Florida if you are located outside the State?

20) Is the business registered in MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP)? If not, would you be willing to register? See https://vendor.myfloridamarketplace.com/ for vendor information.

21) Are you registered as a General Services Administration (GSA) vendor? If so, which airboat models?

If not, would you be willing to register? See https://vsc.gsa.gov.

22) Are you able to provide additional references?

INFORMATION EFFECTS

The Commission will use the information gained from this RFI to assess manufacturer capabilities and identify manufacturers for potential site visits. The Commission reserves the right to visit manufacturers at its discretion and submittal of information is not a guarantee of a future visit or work.

PROCUREMENT MANAGER

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Tallahassee Purchasing Office Attn: Ashley Strickland, Procurement Manager 1875 Orange Avenue East Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Ashley.Strickland@MyFWC.com

DEADLINE FOR WRITTEN QUESTIONS

Written questions that require an answer concerning this RFI shall be submitted in writing to the Procurement Manager identified in the previous section. Questions must be received no later than the date and time specified in the Calendar of Events (Page 1). Questions may be sent via email with the RFI number in the subject line. It is the responsibility of the vendor to confirm receipt of questions if needed.

https://vendor.myfloridamarketplace.com/ https://vsc.gsa.gov/

FWC 21/22-76, Page 4 of 4

WRITTEN RESPONSE TO RFI

Written responses to this RFI must be submitted to the Procurement Manager via email no later than the date and time specified in the Calendar of Events. Responses should include the RFI number in the subject line.

The Commission reserves the right to use any information supplied in any manner. After the Commission has received all responses to this RFI, the Commission, in its sole discretion, shall determine if a meeting with respondents is necessary to clarify the information received. In the event that the Commission decides to hold a meeting, the Respondent(s) will be notified via email.

PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

Any portion of the submitted response which is asserted to be exempt from disclosure under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, shall be clearly marked “exempt”, “confidential”, or “trade secret” (as applicable) and shall also contain the statutory basis for such claim on every page containing such exempt information. Pages containing trade secrets shall be marked “trade secret as defined in Section 812.081, Florida Statutes”.

Failure to segregate and identify such portions shall constitute a waiver of any claimed exemption and the Commission will provide such records in response to public records requests without notifying the respondent. Designating material simply as “proprietary” will not necessarily protect it from disclosure under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. An entire response should not be considered “trade secret”.

PLEASE NOTE: Any submitted material that is not clearly marked as Proprietary Information, is subject to disclosure pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, Public Records.

VENDOR COSTS

Vendors are responsible for all costs associated with preparing a response to this RFI. The State of Florida and the Commission will not be responsible for any vendor costs associated with preparing a response to this RFI.

The Commission appreciates your time and interest in responding to this Request for Information.

THIS IS NOT A COMPETITIVE SOLICITATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH 287.057(1), F.S. PLEASE DO

NOT ATTEMPT TO SUBMIT A BID, PROPOSAL OR OTHER PRESENTATION.