B. LOCATION
The location of the artificial reef modules are as specified in the deployment plan (see Table 1 and
attached maps). The specified artificial reef modules are to be deployed as five patch reefs offshore
Okaloosa County in the LAARS A permitted area. This is an authorized artificial reef permit area
with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The permit for this area is:
Table 1 Artificial Reef Permit and Location Information
USACOE Permit Information & FDEP Permit Information:

Permit Area Name - LAARS A

Permit Number - SAJ-1996-03565(SP-SWA)

Permit Number Expiration - Mar.10, 2026

Location Information:
Latitude/Longitude -  30° 05.069' N
110 - 141 60
86° 23.598' W

Depth (ft.) - 110 - 141
Navigational Clearance (ft.) - 60
C. MINIMUM MATERIAL STANDARDS
Artificial reef materials placed in the LAARS A (Table 1) must consist of multi-sided, prefabricated
artificial reef modules (40 at least 6ft tall and 4 at least 15ft tall) each weighing at least 6,000 lbs.
All artificial reef modules must be composed of marine grade concrete with a minimum strength
of 4,000 pounds per square inch (psi). Modules shall consist of concrete and embedded stone,
shell, or other surface treatments to increase surface roughness (no external metal framework) with
multiple openings all the way through the outer surface to allow for water circulation and access
by fish.
Open-bottom pre-fabricated reef modules may not be used unless the module has a top opening
sufficiently large to allow for turtle escapement. Approved open-bottom modules include.
1. Three-sided modules where each side of the top opening is at least 36-in in length along its
edge.
2. Four or more sided modules where each side of the top opening is at least 40-in in length
along its edge.
3. Modules with a round opening with a diameter of at least 40-in (oval openings are not
allowed unless a 40-in diameter circle space can fit within the oval).
4. Modules that are approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as
being turtle friendly.
No open-bottom modules are allowed that include additional modules, discs, or other materials
stacked, placed on or immediately adjacent to the top opening, as they may prevent turtles from
easily escaping.
D. DEPLOYMENT PATTERN STANDARDS
Materials proposed must be deployed within the specified permitted area (LAARS A). The bidder
shall state the number of proposed modules in their bid response. All artificial reef modules shall
be planned a minimum of 50ft. from all permitted area boundaries and no more than 100ft. from
neighboring modules. For deeper depths, strong current, wind or sea conditions, a greater buffer
is strongly encouraged to ensure all deployments fall within the permitted area.
E. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Project construction and deployment must be completed prior to July 31, 2023. No compensation
will be made for any work completed after this date.
F. DEPLOYMENT AND MATERIAL PLACEMENT
1. During deployment of the artificial reef material, the transport vessel must be effectively
moored through double anchoring, be spudded down, or otherwise be held securely in place with
minimal movement (+/-50 feet) to ensure accurate placement of the modules on the bottom. Any
machinery used to move and deploy the reef materials should be sufficiently
powered/maneuverable and capably operated to ensure timely, effective and safe off-loading of
materials. The tug or transport vessel shall meet all U.S. Coast Guard certification and safety
requirements, be equipped with a working, accurate Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and
other marine electronics including a working VHF radio. Effective and reliable communications
shall exist at all times between the transport vessel captain, the transport vessel crew, and the
designated COUNTY observer on site. Deployment operations will only be initiated when sea
height in the operations area is no greater than two to four feet as forecast by the nearest NOAA
weather office. Either the FWC’s observer, the COUNTY’s observer or the contractor’s vessel
captain reserves the right to suspend off-loading operations if positioning or other deployment
objectives, including safety of personnel and equipment, are not being met.
2. The Contractor shall provide a complete inventory list to the observer, designed by the
County, to validate accuracy of cargo manifests prior deployment.
3. The minimum vertical clearance shall be maintained above the highest point of the reef
modules in each of the permitted areas (in accordance with the special conditions of the applicable
US Army Corps of Engineers permits (Table 1).
4. All special and standard manatee protection requirements described in the Army Corp of
Engineers Permits for these reef sites must be met.
5. The COUNTY’S Contract Manager or COUNTY’s designated official observer shall
oversee the temporary marking of each reef deployment location permit boundaries in advance of
reef materials deployment in order to assist the contractor in the proper placement of the artificial
reef materials. The markers shall be buoys of sufficient size and color to be clearly visible to the
tug captain, and sufficiently anchored and with sufficient scope so that they will not drift prior to
deployment. Precise GPS placement of marker buoys that do not shift position are important to
ensure the reef is constructed within the permitted area and accurately placed at the designated
deployment location(s). The COUNTY will not pay for materials placed outside the permitted area.
6. The COUNTY’s Project Manager or COUNTY's designated official observer shall remain
on site during the entire deployment phase of the operation and confirm the GPS coordinates of the
individual placements as well as the maximum vertical relief of the constructed reefs using a
fathometer after the reef construction has been completed.
7. Both the COUNTY and its CONTRACTOR shall have on site current nautical charts of the
deployment area, with the permitted site indicated on the chart. The proposed patch reef coordinates
and the corner coordinates of the permitted area will also be in possession of the COUNTY's
observer and the contractor when on site.
8. Both the COUNTY and its CONTRACTOR shall be prepared to remove any floating debris
that might occur during deployment. Having boat hooks, dip nets, and other equipment on board
to enable efficient collection of unanticipated floating debris is strongly encouraged. The COUNTY
shall be responsible for ensuring that any floating debris discovered during deployment operations
(e.g., wood, floating line, aluminum cans, plastic bottles, or other floating materials) shall be
collected and transported back to land for proper disposal.
9. The CONTRACTOR agrees to allow the COUNTY and COMMISSION to conduct on-site
inspection of the artificial reefs before, during, and after the deployment.
G. LIABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR REEF MATERIALS
Upon initiation of the handling and movement of these artificial reef materials by the COUNTY's
contractor, all liability, risk of loss and responsibility for the safe handling, storage, transportation
and deployment of the materials shall be borne by the Contractor. This liability, assumption of risk
and responsibility shall remain with the Contractor until the materials are deployed at the permitted
reef site in accordance with the specifications in this Agreement.
H. CONTRACTOR EXPERIENCE
1. Be on file with the Department of State in accordance with provision of Chapter 607, Florida
Statutes, the “Florida Business Corporation Act”; (http://dos.myflorida.com/)
2. Not be on the federal debarment list;
http://www.dol.gob/ofccp/regs/compliance/preaward/debarlst.htm
3. Not be on the state debarment list;
http://www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/state_purchasing/
vendor_information/convicted_suspended_discriminatory_complaints_vendor_lists
4. Show they are competent and have the necessary resources to fulfill the conditions of the
contract.
5. Have successfully completed at least one artificial reef construction project within the past
5 years, anywhere in the United States.
6. Provide proof of insurance (in accordance with the County liability requirements);