Captain Services for Boat Race

The Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (USDB) is seeking a professional captain to lead a student team in the Seventy48 Boat Race, a challenging 70-mile human-powered race from Tacoma to Port Townsend, Washington, scheduled for May 29, 2026. The procurement is being conducted as a Request for Qualifications and Quotes under Utah Procurement Code and Administrative Rule R277-122-6 for Small Purchases of Professional Service Providers and Consultants. The selected captain will be responsible for preparing and leading a team of nine students and ten chaperones through multiple practice sessions at Utah Lake and in a gym, with practices scheduled from October 2025 to May 2026. Key qualifications include extensive maritime experience, specific Seventy48 race knowledge, navigation skills, emergency response capabilities, and the ability to ensure student safety throughout training and race participation. The solicitation requires vendors to submit their name and contact information, relevant qualifications and experience, and an all-inclusive quote detailing costs for practice events and the final race. The proposal submission deadline is September 19, 2025, with a total estimated project budget of $13,000.00, and all contracts subject to approval by the Utah State Board of Education.

The procurement does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. USDB reserves the right to conduct discussions with qualified vendors and seek out additional professional services providers to ensure selection of the best value, comparing both price and qualifications. Vendors must comply with various state requirements, including anti-boycott regulations, certification of non-use of forced labor products, and potential background check requirements for accessing secure facilities. The solicitation includes provisions for protecting business confidential information through a GRAMA (Government Records Access and Management Act) Business Confidentiality Claim process, allowing vendors to submit redacted versions of sensitive documents. Insurance requirements are comprehensive, mandating coverage including workers' compensation, commercial general liability, and protected information liability. The procurement emphasizes strict data privacy protocols, particularly regarding student information, and requires compliance with state and federal employment and anti-discrimination laws. The total contract value is set at $13,000.00, with the expectation of a single contract award to a responsive and responsible offeror.