PUR 7776_FWC SS 26.27-07_Makai.pdf

PUR 7776 (Revised 07/2022) Page 1 of 4 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: Florida Keys and the Dry Tortugas: Dive Liveaboard.

Short description of the commodity or service desired: Live-a-board vessel to support multi-day SCUBA-based marine research and monitoring activities conducted throughout the Florida Keys, Marquesas and Dry Tortugas regions.

CONTACT

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

Internal tracking number, if any: FWC SS 26/27-07

Date posted: 09/01/2026 Last day for receipt of information: 09/23/2026

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):

25111534 - Research vessel 78111702 - Overnight ship cruises 78111704 - Marine craft rental or leasing service 90121503 - Chartering Services

Quantity or Term (as appropriate):

Upon issuance of PO until 07/28/2028

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

William Sharp, Research Administrator I, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

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):

These services support the statutory mission and responsibilities of the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) pursuant to section 20.331(7)(a), Florida Statutes, including serving as the State's primary source of research and technical information on marine resources;

monitoring the status and health of marine species and their habitats; developing management

PUR 7776 (Revised 07/2022) Page 2 of 4 Incorporated by Reference: Rule 60A-1.045, F.A.C.

and restoration techniques; and providing technical information and research results to state and local governments.

The contracted vessel services provide the offshore operational support necessary for FWRI scientists to conduct marine research and monitoring activities in areas of the Florida Keys, including remote locations such as the Marquesas and Dry Tortugas.

This contract will provide up to 50 days of live-a-board vessel support for marine science research missions conducted throughout the Florida Keys, Marquesas, and Dry Tortugas regions.

Live-a-board support is necessary to facilitate multi-day research operations in remote offshore locations where daily transit to and from shore is impractical and would substantially reduce available field time.

These missions will primarily support SCUBA-based research and monitoring activities and may include underwater scientific surveys; deployment, servicing, and retrieval of underwater monitoring equipment; collection of marine organisms and biological samples; fishing and animal tagging activities; and other above- or below-water research activities necessary to accomplish mission objectives. The service will provide the vessel-based logistical and operational support needed to safely and efficiently conduct extended research missions.

Research missions will range from approximately 5 to 11 consecutive days, depending on mission objectives and operational requirements. Specific mission dates will be coordinated between the vessel Captain and the FWRI Chief Scientist based on seasonal research needs, vessel availability, and mission-specific requirements. Actual service dates will be weather dependent and may be adjusted due to adverse weather, unsafe sea conditions, or other unforeseen operational or scheduling conflicts. When schedule changes are necessary, alternate dates will be coordinated between the vessel Captain and FWRI Chief Scientist to support completion of the planned research activities.

Minimum Vendor, Vessel, and Operational Requirements:

Vendor and Captain Qualifications •The vessel captain must hold a valid U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Master Captain license and have a minimum of five years of professional charter or commercial vessel experience. A copy of the license must be made available upon request.

•The vessel owner/operator must be registered with MyFloridaMarketPlace prior to contract execution.

Vessel Requirements and Capabilities •The primary vessel must have a minimum length overall (LOA) of 80 feet and meet all applicable safety requirements for a USCG-inspected vessel.

•The vessel must have sufficient fuel capacity and range to support operations up to 100 miles offshore, including the Dry Tortugas region.

•The vessel must be equipped with current navigation electronics and up-to-date charts, as well as a bottom finder capable of locating reef fish and associated habitats.

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•The vessel must support ‘live-boat’ dive operations in areas where anchoring is prohibited and, if the mission requires it, provide access to a chase boat capable of supporting daily dive operations in shallow-water areas (<25 feet).

•Depending on mission objectives, the primary vessel must be capable of towing an approximately 25-foot FWC Parker research vessel from the Florida Keys to the Dry Tortugas and back and safely accommodating it alongside the primary vessel overnight. The FWC vessel is equipped to operate advanced sonar systems used for seafloor mapping and fish biomass estimation, providing specialized research capabilities that cannot be supported by the primary vessel or chase boat. Access to the FWC vessel may therefore be necessary to accomplish specific research objectives during select missions.

•The vessel must be equipped with a winch capable of safely lifting and recovering scientific equipment weighing up to 250 pounds. The winch, and appropriate crew support, must also be available for transferring heavy research equipment between the vessel and dock before and after each mission.

Dive Operations and Safety •The vessel must be capable of supporting Nitrox diving operations and include an onboard compressor capable of filling cylinders with mixtures ranging from 28% to 36% oxygen, as required by research operations.

•Experienced personnel familiar with vessel operations, dive procedures, and emergency response plans must be available onboard throughout each mission.

•The vessel must provide all standard dive-safety equipment required for chartered dive operations, including sufficient emergency oxygen to support one diver during transport to a higher-level medical care facility or for up to 12 hours, whichever is less.

•The vessel must maintain appropriate first-aid and medical supplies to address common injuries and illnesses associated with extended marine field operations, including animal bites, slips and falls, sprains and strains, seasickness, and foodborne illness. At least one Automated External Defibrillator (AED) must be maintained onboard.

•The vessel must have a dive platform capable of accommodating at least four divers and their associated equipment, with an appropriate dive ladder for safe water entry and exit.

Crew Support, Accommodations, and Meal Support •The vessel must provide berthing and accommodations for at least 10 scientific personnel for missions lasting up to 11 consecutive days with climate control.

•Vessel crew must assist with loading and unloading scientific and diving equipment, including use of the vessel's winch when required for heavy equipment.

•The vessel must provide a minimum of three meals per person per day, including at least one hot meal prepared onboard. Meals must accommodate identified dietary restrictions, including vegetarian diets and food allergies.

•Snacks and refreshments (e.g., fruit and packaged snacks) must be available to scientific personnel throughout the day and evening.

•The vessel must provide satellite internet connectivity sufficient for scientists to access and transmit data to shoreside databases.

•The vessel must provide 120V AC power and sufficient space for the research team to establish a portable, vessel-wide wireless network accessible to scientific personnel when dive operations are not underway.

PUR 7776 (Revised 07/2022) Page 4 of 4 Incorporated by Reference: Rule 60A-1.045, F.A.C.

•Space for charging cameras, laptops, and other scientific gear must be provided.

Intended Single Source:

Makai, Inc.

Estimated Dollar Amount:

$350,000.00

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):

The required services support scientific diving operations within Dry Tortugas National Park and require a contract with a current National Park Service Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) to conduct commercial operations within this park. Market research was conducted in cooperation with the National Park Service to explore vendor options. This research confirmed that only one vendor is capable of meeting the minimum requirements mentioned above with CUA-authorization to operate in the Dry Tortugas. That vendor is the Makai, Inc. The 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 field operations because no other authorized provider can meet both the permitting and operational requirements. Failure to complete this work could result 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):

Danielle Morley, Research Administrator I, FWRI William Sharp, Research Administrator I, FWRI Thomas Mathews, Program Administrator, Marine Fisheries Research, FWRI Leanne Flewelling, FWRI Deputy Director Rachel Massey, Assistant Purchasing Director, Office of the Executive Director Rachel Korade, Purchasing Director, Office of the Executive Director Philip T. Stone, Chief Operating Officer, 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.