FWC 22.23-116.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI): FWC 22/23-116

TITLE: FLORIDA BASS CONSERVATION CENTER CALCIUM SCALE CONTROL

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SCHEDULE DUE DATE METHOD

RFI Advertised June 22, 2023 Posted on the Vendor Information Portal:

https://vendor.myfloridamarketplace.com/

Non – Mandatory Site Visit

June 26, 2023

@ 11:00AM ET

3583 CR-788 Webster Florida, 33597

Deadline for Written Questions

Must be received

PRIOR to:

July 10, 2023

@ 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:

July 17, 2023

@ 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 or not 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 about an on-going calcium scaling issue at the Florida Bass Conservation

Center (FBCC). The Commission is requesting this information in order to find solutions to reduce calcium buildup within life sustaining pumps, pipes, purification system and chiller units at FBCC and Richloam

State Fish Hatchery.

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

1875 ORANGE AVENUE EAST

TALLAHASSEE, FL 32301

(850) 488-6551 https://vendor.myfloridamarketplace.com/

Request for Information – Revised 03.29.2023 FWC 22/23-116, Page 2 of 4

All interested parties are invited to participate in the RFI by submitting a written response as indicated in this RFI document. The information provided as a result of this RFI is intended to be used to develop a future solicitation that utilizes the technologies described herein.

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

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Florida Bass Conservation Center (FBCC) and Richloam State Fish Hatchery (3583 CR 788, Webster, FL

33597) has an on-going calcium scaling issue. FBCC seeks information for proposed solutions through a formal RFI to develop a SOW for competitive procurement.

Currently permitted by SWFWMD for up to 2MGD pumping, FBCC is a flow-through and recycled water intensive and extensive aquaculture facility. The facility uses four pumps with maximum pumping capability per pump of 2000gpm in the recycled/re-use water system. The water at the FBCC is very hard and recently FBCC has been experiencing serious and increasing issues with calcium scaling, particularly in the recycle/reuse water system.

Calcium scaling of valves, pumps, screens, drains, pipes, and other infrastructure is reducing efficiency, increasing maintenance costs, and impeding primary function of the facility. It has cost the State of

Florida extensive time and in repairs to the FBCC life sustaining pumps, pipes, purification system, and chiller units. The scale has even closed off some of the 6” and 8” pipes. Most of the water pipes are 6”-10” at the FBCC, but there are some as large as 24”. Control (drastic reduction or elimination) of scaling, and ultimately reduction of existing scale build-up, without impacts to fish health/production and water flow, is sought.

Construction/installation may not shut off water flow/supply to the indoor hatchery production facilities/equipment for more than 24 hours at a time, with no more than 60 minutes preferred.

Construction/implementation should occur during the summer (August/September) or winter

(December/January).

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. Provide answers to the following questions:

a. Explain the process of how to prevent/mitigate the continued formation of calcium scale on hatchery infrastructure?

b. Explain how to reduce/eliminate existing calcium scale deposits on hatchery infrastructure?

c. Will installation/implementation of the proposed solution require any disruption to water flow/supply to the raceways, tanks, and other hatchery production facilities/equipment? If so, for how long and do you have any mitigations to disruptions of water flow/supply to the raceways, tanks, and other hatchery production facilities/equipment during installation/implementation of the proposed solution?

d. What is the life cycle of the proposed solution?

e. What are the maintenance requirements (including estimated costs) of the proposed solution?

Request for Information – Revised 03.29.2023 FWC 22/23-116, Page 3 of 4

f. Should the proposed solution be expected to increase utility costs or water consumption at the facility?

g. Will the proposed solution degrade or counteract the ozone or ultra-violet purification systems?

h. How does the proposed solution change the water quality and/or chemistry?

i. What would be a general timeline for installation of the proposed solution?

j. Where has the proposed solution been implemented previously, and to what level of success?

3. The methodology should demonstrate an understanding of the project and its objectives.

NON-MANDATORY SITE VISIT

A Site Visit will be held at 3583 CR-788 Webster Florida, 33597 on the date and time specified in the

Calendar of Events (Page 2). The purpose of the Site Visit is to discuss the contents of this RFI and to accept verbal questions from Vendors concerning the project. The Commission will make a reasonable effort to answer verbal questions asked at the Site Visit, however, Vendors should clearly understand that verbal discussions held at the Site Visit shall not be binding on the Commission.

3583 CR-788 WEBSTER FLORIDA, 33597INFORMATION EFFECTS

The Commission will use the information gained from this RFI to develop a SOW for a future ITB to address/correct the calcium scale problem negatively impacting the hatchery.

PROCUREMENT MANAGER

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission

Tallahassee Purchasing Office

Attn: Kyle Dove, Procurement Manager

1875 Orange Avenue East

Tallahassee, Florida 32301 kyle.dove@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.

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.

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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 stated in Section 8, Proprietary

Information, is subject to Florida Statute 119, Public Records.

MFMP REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

Each vendor doing business with the State shall register in the MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP) system in order to submit a quote. A vendor will not be considered for an award if not registered in MFMP. For more information about registering with MFMP, visit the MFMP Vendor information page or contact MFMP

Customer Service at 866-352-3776.

Section 448.095(2) Florida Statute requires the Contractor to: 1.) utilize the U.S. Department of Homeland

Security’s E-Verify system to verify the employment eligibility of all new employees hired by the Contractor during the Contract term; and 2.) include in all subcontracts under this Contract, the requirement that subcontractors performing work or providing services pursuant to this Contract utilize the E-Verify system to verify the employment eligibility of all new employees hired by the subcontractor during the term of the subcontract.

E-Verify is an Internet-based system that allows an employer, using information reported on an employee’s

Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to determine the eligibility of all new employees hired to work in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify system can be found online at https://www.e-verify.gov.

As a condition precedent to entering a Contract with the Commission, Contractors and Subcontractors shall register with and use the E-Verify system. Failure to do so shall result in the Contract not being issued, or if discovered after issuance, termination of the Contract.

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.

https://www.e-verify.gov/