Big Dawg Vessel Preparation & Deployment

Okaloosa County is in the process of receiving a donated 93ft steel military vessel from the US Air Force. Photos and basic specifications of the vessel are attached. The County desires to have this vessel cleaned, prepared, towed, and deployed 14.3 miles offshore for use as an artificial reef. Accordingly, the County is requesting proposals for the 1) transportation of the vessel from its current location in Santa Rosa Sound, Florida to the location it will be prepped; 2) cleaning/preparation following standards outlined in the National Guidance: Best Management Practices for Preparing Vessels Intended to Create Artificial Reefs; and 3) deployment of the vessel approximately 14.3 miles offshore Okaloosa County. All proposals must include all labor, equipment, disposal fees of items removed, etc. as needed to complete the deployment as an artificial reef. Method of transport and deployment method are up to the contractor. The SOP for deploying vessels of this type offshore of Okaloosa County is attached. All components of this vessel that are removed during the cleaning and preparation process can be salvaged and retained by the selected contractor. (Note - this vessel is currently operational and can be run to the winning contractor’s facility for preparation). A. Clean-up 1. Clean tanks, lines, bilges, etc. 2. Certified “Clean” as required by state and federal permits. 3. Peeling/flaking paint, likely to come off during the sinking process will be scraped off and removed to appropriate land disposal site. B. Preparation 1. Environmental Preparations: See EPA Best Management Practices for Preparing Vessels Intended to be Artificial Reefs. 2. Remove all petroleum from tanks, lines, and machinery (e.g., main engine, transmission, pumps, etc.). Machinery may remain if all hazardous fluids are removed. No sheen will be allowed to be visible at surface during/after deployment. Contractor responsible for responding to discharges per state and federal regulations. 3. Remove and properly dispose of all non-compliant materials such as furnishings, appliances, machinery (except main engine and transmission) wood paneling, insulation, plastics, wiring, glass windows, cut and remove all doors, hatches, etc. 4. Vessel hull, superstructure, propeller and shaft are to remain intact and in place to the maximum extent possible. Modifications to the vessel shall be approved by the County. 5. Vessel to be deployed on the seafloor in an upright position, therefore holes will be cut through hull, bulkheads and other structural components to facilitate controlled sinking without the use of explosives. 6. Prepare vessel for sinking via controlled flooding. No explosives will be used for deployment. C. Towing 1. Provide all towing and docking facilities. Mariners must possess all necessary licenses, documents, etc. 2. Obtain a Towing Permit from US Coast Guard (if required); Prepare Emergency/ Contingency Plan for approval by Okaloosa County prior to deployment as artificial reef. D. Deployment 1. Vessel will be deployed in Okaloosa LAARS C Artificial Reef Site, located approximately 14.3 nautical miles southwest of Destin Pass at a depth of approximately 105 ft. (Approximate Reef deployment coordinates: 30° 09.008’N, 86° 34.544’W); anchored with suitable ship’s anchor(s), including sufficient scope of anchor rode to maintain vessel position under existing weather and sea conditions. Substitute anchor(s) may be proposed by contractor, but must be approved, in writing, by Okaloosa County. Deployment vessel will be capable of providing additional positional support. 2. Detailed Deployment Plan will be provided to Okaloosa County for review and approval. 3. Any floatable debris appearing on the surface during and within one-hour post-deployment will be removed by the contractor.

Division 35 -	Waterway and Marine Construction, Artificial Reefs, Scrap Material Artificial Reefs, Sunken Ship Artificial Reefs.
Division 41 -	Material Processing and Handling Equipment.