Makai Inc.

Makai Inc., a self-certified small disadvantaged business based in Summerland Key, Florida, operates as a prime contractor providing live-aboard research vessel charter and marine transportation services to federal environmental science agencies under total small business set-asides and full-and-open competition. The company specializes in providing fully crewed and equipped vessels for coastal and ocean research support, with expertise spanning coral reef monitoring, fish census surveys, turtle research, and benthic assessment work in Florida waters. Makai competes entirely as a prime (100% of recent awards) with no subcontract footprint in the source data.

Makai's customer concentration is narrowly focused on three federal agencies that collectively represent 100% of recent awards. The U.S. Geological Survey Office of Acquisitions and Grants leads with 12 awards totaling $1.5 million in combined potential value, anchored by two indefinite-delivery contracts: a $475,000 IDIQ through March 2029 for fully crewed coral reef research vessel operations, and a $237,500 IDIQ through June 2028 for turtle research support. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration accounts for 8 awards totaling $689 thousand, primarily purchase orders for live-aboard dive vessel charter services supporting the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program in the Florida Keys, including recent awards of $114,500 and $124,000 issued May 8, 2026. The National Park Service Southeast Region holds 4 awards totaling $393 thousand for reef survey vessel services at Dry Tortugas National Park, including a $259,199.96 contract through February 2024. USGS and NOAA awards track identically across both volume and dollar rankings, reflecting Makai's stable customer base with minimal concentration tension.

Makai places task orders under three USGS indefinite-delivery vehicles: Contract 140G0118D0016 (5 task orders, $69 thousand), Contract 140G0123D0013 (2 task orders, $24 thousand), and Contract 140G0124D0007 (1 task order, $50 thousand). Activity has remained modest and episodic, averaging roughly 2.5 awards per year over the five-year period, with four awards totaling $313 thousand reaching completion inside the next twenty-four months and therefore facing recompete exposure. Makai's work falls primarily under NAICS 483112 (Coastal and Great Lakes Passenger Transportation) and 483114 (Deep Sea Passenger Transportation), with PSC 380A (Passenger Marine Charter) appearing across 12 awards. The company leverages over twenty years of marine transportation experience and operates vessels equipped with wireless network access, specialized diving support infrastructure, and Coast Guard certification to meet federal research requirements.