Marine Debris Removal on Aquacultural Leases - Vicinity of Cedary Key, Florida

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Aquaculture, is seeking to procure marine debris removal services on aquacultural leases in the vicinity of Cedar Key, Florida through a single-source agreement rather than competitive bidding. The primary objective is to remove derelict aquaculture gear and debris from the 2023 and 2024 hurricane seasons while restoring oyster reef habitat on State-Owned Sovereignty Submerged Land Aquaculture Leases. Specific deliverables include removal of derelict clam bags and debris from designated parcels, separation of cultch material from debris, transportation of cultch material to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission-designated habitat restoration sites, and disposal of debris at Department-designated shoreside dumpster sites. Qualified contractors must possess active State-Owned Sovereignty Submerged Land Aquaculture Leases, sublesee status, or authorized user designation within the program boundaries, and must provide their own specialized equipment including boats, motors, winches, and lines. Additionally, contractors must demonstrate specialized knowledge of local tides, navigation hazards, dangerous wildlife, and weather systems essential for safe and effective operations in the Cedar Key area. The advertisement was posted on May 1, 2026, with an information submission deadline of May 22, 2026, representing the statutorily required 15-business-day advertisement period.

This procurement is restricted to existing aquaculture parcel leaseholders, sublessees, or authorized users holding active State-Owned Sovereignty Submerged Land Aquaculture Leases, as only these entities are legally eligible to access the protected lease parcels under Section 597.010(13) of Florida Statutes. This single-source justification effectively precludes general public competition and limits the vendor pool to those with established aquaculture lease interests in the specified area. The contract term is one year with compensation estimated at up to $70 per clam bag removed. The approximate one-year total program award amount is $935,000, funded through a federal grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under award number NA25NOSX999C0059-T1-01 for the "Turning Marine Debris into Restoration Materials through ReCLAMation of Shellfish Aquaculture Leases in the Vicinity of Cedary Key, Florida" project. No incumbent vendors or current contractors were identified in the procurement documentation, as this represents a new initiative to address hurricane-related debris accumulation on aquacultural leases.