PUR 7776_FWC SS 26.27-08_MarshMaster.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 and Wildlife Conservation Commission

TITLE: Marsh Master MM-2MX-KD with Fire Package

Short description of the commodity or service desired: Procurement of a Marsh Master MM- 2MX-KD with Fire Package and Front Hitch; KC: Kohler Engine, Hi/Low Flow Pumps & Rear Hitch; Roller Chopper, MM-2MX Rotarty Cutter, and MM-2LX Vegetation Blade.TRLR XLG- L Extra Long Galvanized Tilt Deck Trailer with Electric Brakes and delivery to Milton, FL. The Marsh Master® is a tracked amphibious vehicle

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 26/27-08

Date posted: 09/08/2026 Last day for receipt of information: 09/29/2026

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):

25101909 Amphibious vehicle 25101900 Specialized and Recreational Vehicles.

Quantity or Term (as appropriate):

One-time purchase upon execution of a purchase order.

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

Nathan Bunting, Biological Administrator I, Habitat and Species Conservation

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):

FWC's Northeast Region manages over 40,350 acres of submerged or wetland habitats which are frequently inaccessible for resource management, which includes prescribed fire, hardwood removal, and invasive plant control. A tracked amphibious vehicle will allow improved access to areas where other equipment cannot reach, while limiting soil disturbance and habitat

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

degradation by using low ground pressure equipment. This tracked amphibious vehicle will be for the following specific activities in submerged or wetland habitats: mowing and disking firebreaks, roller-chopping dense woody vegetation, spraying invasive plants with herbicide, ignition, holding, and mop-up during prescribed burn operations, and monitoring. Machine will need to carry the operator and at least one passenger, a water tank, and prescribed burn equipment. Machine must be able to hook up to additional implements including rotary cutters, sprayers, disks, and roller-chopper drums.

One (1) Marsh Master MM-2MX-KD with Fire Package Hi/Low Flow pumps with Front and Rear Htich.

One (1) MM-2MX Hydraulic Rotary Cutter One (1) MM-2LX Roller Chopper One (1) MM-2LX Vegetation Blade One (1) MM-2-TRLR XLG-L Extra long Galvanized Deck Trailer.

Delivery and In-Service Training to Milton, FL

Intended Single Source:

Coast Machinery, LLC dba Marsh Master

Estimated Dollar Amount:

$278,790.00

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):

Marsh Master, supplied by Coast Machinery LLC is the only equipment found that meets our specified needs. The Marsh Master is a low ground pressure vehicle that will allow access to submerged or wetland habitats with minimum damage to natural resources and obviate equipment getting grounded or stuck in wet and loose soils. The onboard fire suppression package, mower, and chopper implement will be used in establishment of fire containment lines for prescribed burning, wildfire suppression, and general support of prescribed fire operations in difficult to manage wetland environments, including floodplain, basin marshes, salt marshes, and shrup bog.

The ability to conduct prescribe fire within floodplain, marsh, and shrub bog communities with minimal damage to the natural community will greatly benefit a variety of species including the federally-threatened black rail as well as several state-threatened birds including little blue heron, roseate spoonbill, tricolored heron, and wood stork. This machine will also be used to restore critical habiat in empheral ponds for the reticulated flatwoods salamader, a federally listed species.

A thorough search of tracked amphibious vehicles was conducted to identify comparable equipment with none being found that have the same capabilities and implement options provided by Marsh Master. The search included internet searches, communication with other state and federal agencies, and speaking with the equipment manufacturer. The other brands considered do not have the implement flexibility of the Marsh Master required to conduct resource management in the NW Region's wetland and submerged habitats. Multiple pieces of

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

equipment would be required (one machine to mow, one machine for fire suppression, and one outfitted for herbicide treatment) which would be impractical from a resource management and fiscal repsonsiblity stand point. The companies with equipment similar to a Marsh Master, but with fewer capabilities to conduct multiple types of resource management tasks from one machine, included Wilson Marsh Equipment, Mobitrac, Hydratrek, and Truxor. The identified machines from these companies, while comparable in appearance they are not in function, and require multiple machines to perform the tasks of one Marsh Master.

Coast Machinery, LLC is the manufacturer of the MARSH MASTER® amphibious track vehicle. Coast Machinery developed the design and been building them since 1981. The MARSH MASTER® has a 40-year track record of proven capability, reliability, and durability.

Coast Machinery sells direct to the customer only and maintains sole sales, proprietary parts distribution, and marketing rights due to the small market and specialized nature of the equipment they manufacture. Coastal Machinery is the only factory authorized warranty, service, and repair facility.

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

Nathan Bunting, Biological Administrator I, Habitat and Species Conservation Clint Peters, Biological Administrator III, Habitat and Species Conservation Colleen Closius, Biological Administrator II, Habitat and Species Conservation Candace Moody, Business Manager, Office of the Executive Director Rachel Massey, Assistant Purchasing Director, Office of the Executive Director Rachel Korade, 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.