Request for Information: Water Taxi Transportation Services

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION / NOTICE OF INTENT TO DESIGNATE SOLE SOURCE/SOLE BRAND
The Purchasing Division is publishing this notice pursuant to the Broward County Procurement Code section, 21.25, Sole Source/Only Reasonable Source, and 21.26, Sole Brand. The Purchasing Division intends to award a contract without competition if it is determined to be in the best interest of the County.
This Request for Information (RFI)/Notice of Intent to Designate Sole Source/Sole Brand is intended to ascertain whether the commodity or service specified below is currently available from multiple providers/brands. The following products are thought to be available from only a single source/brand.
Commodity/Services Required: The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center & Visitor's Bureau (GFLCVB) is seeking Water Taxi Transportation Services to provide reliable and efficient transportation for GFLCVB and its clients, primarily convention attendees. The suggested water taxi transportation services vendor will be responsible for all labor, materials, equipment, services, etc. necessary to provide daily water taxi service (excluding holidays and service disruptions) and should provide, but not limited to, the following:   - Provide at least five water vessels with a capacity of 50 passengers with covered seating for all   - Provide at least two water vessels with a capacity of 100 passengers with a minimum of 50% covered seating   - Provide services onboard the water vessels, which includes, tour guide, beverage service, restroom    - Provide private charters on daily, regularly scheduled routes to transport convention attendees   - Provide private charters to other clients outside of the regularly scheduled routes    - Location stops/docks must be within a five-minute walking distance of the following locations which includes but not     limited to, Broward County Convention Center, Riverwalk/Las Olas Fort Lauderdale, B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale     Beach, Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Beach, and Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort   - Possess all applicable licenses and certifications for vessel operation [i.e., United States Coast Guard (USCG) Captain's     License, USCG documentation for commercial vessels, USCG vessel inspection certificate]

DETERMINATION OF OTHER INTERESTED VENDORS: The intent of this RFI/Notice is to determine if there are any other interested and qualified vendors that meet or exceed the specifications and requirements for the products or services described in this notice. Any such vendor must submit the following information: 1. The name of the interested party; and 2. A detailed explanation consisting of documentation showing that there are other qualified sources for the identified services herein.
Prospective Vendors are requested to provide information regarding their ability to supply the commodities or contractual services described or written explanation or other documentation contesting the proposed designation as a Sole Source/Sole Brand. Prospective Vendors will be considered only if they provide documentation demonstrating that they are capable of meeting or exceeding the specification requirements stated herein.
All Vendor responses will be evaluated by the Director of Purchasing who shall have sole authority in deciding what is comparable or establishing the approved equal status of the commodity or service offered by the vendor. The Director of Purchasing shall consider such submittals and notify all submitting vendors of the decision whether to designate as a Sole Source/Brand, which decision shall not be subject to objection, protest, or appeal.
Questions and Answers: The County provides a specified time for Vendors to ask questions and seek clarification regarding this RFI. All questions or clarification inquiries must be submitted through Periscope S2G by the date and time referenced in this RFI. The County will respond to all questions via Periscope S2G.