PUR 7776_FWC SS 26.27-03_Makai.pdf

PUR 7776 (Revised 07/2022) Page 1 of 3 Incorporated by Reference: Rule 60A-1.045, F.A.C.

DESCRIPTION OF INTENDED

SINGLE SOURCE PURCHASE

(PUR 7776)

AGENCY: Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission

TITLE: Lower Keys Underwater Marine Debris Removal: Dive Liveaboard Short description of the commodity or service desired: Live-aboard vessel to support multi-day SCUBA marine debris removals located in the Key West National Wildlife Refuge (focus around Marquesas) and Dry Tortugas National Park, Monroe County, Florida.

CONTACT

Name: Rachel Massey Address: 1875 Orange Ave E, Tallahassee, FL 32311-6160 Telephone: (850) 510-9990 Email: rachel.massey@myfwc.com

Internal tracking number, if any: FWC SS 26/27-03

Date posted: 07/28/2026 Last day for receipt of information: 08/18/2026

This description of commodities or contractual services intended for purchase from a single source is posted in accordance with Sections 120.57(3) and 287.057(3), Florida Statutes (F.S.), and will remain posted for a period of at least 15 business days.

Commodity or Contractual Service Required (commodity or United National Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC), manufacturer, model, and description, as appropriate):

25111532 - Debris collection vessel 25111534 - Research vessel 71101706 - Overburden removal 78111702 - Overnight ship cruises 78111704 - Marine craft rental or leasing service

Quantity or Term (as appropriate):

Upon Issuance of PO till 07/28/2028

Requestor (division, bureau, office, individual, as appropriate):

Division of Law Enforecment, Boating and Waterways, Marine Debris Program, Jennifer L.

McGee

Performance and/or Design Requirements (e.g. intended use, function or application, compatibility, requirements; reference to policy, rule, statute or other act of the Legislature, etc., as appropriate):

PUR 7776 (Revised 07/2022) Page 2 of 3 Incorporated by Reference: Rule 60A-1.045, F.A.C.

The Florida Trustee Implementation Group (FL TIG) implements multiple projects to protect and restore sea turtles impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. As part of the Florida TIG, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) leads the 'Reducing Threats to Sea Turtles through In-water Marine Debris Removal along Florida’s Gulf Coast' project, which focuses heavily on removal of derelict fishing gear and abandoned traps.

• Service is to provide 1 to 3 cruises annually, each lasting 4 to 6 days. Specific cruise dates will be coordinated with the vessel's Captain based on seasonal scheduling and operational requirements. Actual service dates are weather dependent and may be changed to accommodate adverse weather delays and cruise scheduling conflicts.

• The vendor’s vessel captain must possess a United States Coast Guard Certification (USCG) Master Captains license, have at least 3 years of experience working as a professional charter captain (for hire) or commercial captain AND possess a current Commercial Use Authorization permit from the National Park Service to conduct business operations in Everglades National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park. Copies of permits and certifications must be made available if requested.

• Evidence of conducting SCUBA diving operations as part of the chartered service.

• Must have the capacity to accommodate Live-a-Board cruise operations for extended periods of time (up to 6 days) and have extensive maritime navigation knowledge of the entire Florida Keys, Dry Tortugas National Park and the Gulf of America’s Marquesas Keys.

• (LOA) USCG approved Live-a-Board vessel. The vessel shall provide the following:

o All-inclusive round-trip transportation, crew, Live-A-Board accommodations, and dive support for up to ten (10) people for the duration of all selected and vendor agreed cruise dates.

o Be available for 1-3 cruises annually, exact dates to be coordinated with Captain/per season

• All meals and other provisions necessary for extended offshore stays.

• One (1) portable SCUBA breathing air compressor and one (1) NITROX air compressor.

Includes SCUBA breathing air and NITROX air fills for the (at-work) duration of trip.

• Vessel deck space for up to six (6) “Dumpster in a Bag” (6) 8’ 𝑥𝑥 4’ 𝑥𝑥 2.5’ and up to 20 lobster traps on deck daily.

• Access to large winch to transfer “Dumpster in a Bags” and other marine debris to dumpster, barge, or docking area for pick-up and disposal and an approved upland facility.

• On-board winch/pot hauler to be able to haul surface traps or marine debris on board.

• One (1) small tender vessel to accommodate up to four (4) divers and gear to any shallow site dives or shorelines that are not reachable by the live-aboard vessels. This may be adjusted to accommodate more deck space for bagsters depending on site specifics.

Intended Single Source:

Makai, Inc.

Estimated Dollar Amount:

$200,000.00

Justification for single source acquisition (what is necessary and unique about the product, service or source; steps taken to confirm unavailability of competition, as appropriate):

PUR 7776 (Revised 07/2022) Page 3 of 3 Incorporated by Reference: Rule 60A-1.045, F.A.C.

The required services support scientific diving operations within Everglades National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park and require a contractor with a current National Park Service (NPS) Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) to conduct commercial operations within these parks.

Market research was conducted through coordination with the National Park Service (NPS), U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), discussions with vendors and project partners, prior operational experience, and internet research.

This research confirmed that only four vendors currently hold the required CUA: Conch 'N Around Charters, LLC; Forever Young Charter Company, LLC; Finz Dive Charters Corporation; and Makai, Inc.

The Government requires multi-day research cruises supporting up to ten divers operating at field sites located approximately 20 to 70 miles from Key West. Due to the distance, operational requirements, and rapidly changing weather conditions, multi-day liveaboard operations are necessary to safely and efficiently complete the mission. Makai, Inc. is the only CUA-authorized vendor capable of meeting these minimum requirements by providing a vessel with sufficient capacity, overnight accommodations, and operational support. The remaining authorized vendors operate smaller day-trip vessels that accommodate only four to six divers and do not provide overnight capabilities, making them unable to satisfy the Government's minimum needs.

Award to any vendor other than Makai, Inc. would prevent the Government from accomplishing the required field operations because no other authorized provider can meet both the permitting and operational requirements. Failure to complete this work would delay marine debris removal efforts in remote, environmentally sensitive habitats within the Florida Keys, resulting in continued adverse impacts to protected natural resources. Therefore, Makai, Inc. is the only responsible source capable of meeting the Government's requirements.

Approved By (names & titles, as appropriate, e.g., requestor, requestor management, information systems, budget, purchasing):

Jennifer L. McGee, Marine Debris Program Administrator Captain Travis Franklin (or delegate), Sub-Section Lead Major Tommy Van Trees (or delegate), Section Lead LTC William Holcomb (or delegate), Deputy Director Rachel Massey, FWC Assistant Purchasing Director, Office of the Executive Director Rachel Korade, FWC Purchasing Director, Office of the Executive Director

Prospective vendors are requested to provide information regarding their ability to supply the commodities or contractual services described. If it is determined in writing by the agency, after reviewing any information received from prospective vendors, that the commodities or contractual services are available only from a single source, the agency shall provide notice of its intended decision to enter a single-source purchase contract in the manner specified in Rule 60A-1.045, Florida Administrative Code, and section 120.57(3), F.S.