Approval expenditure for proposal from Beemats LLC, New Smyrna Beach, FL, in the amount of $177, 408.00 for the annual harvesting, maintenance, and re-nourishment of vegetated mats at the Indian Hills Recreation Area. 

The Indian Hills Recreation Area stormwater treatment utilizes a vegetated floating wetland system to improve the water quality prior to discharging excess stormwater into the Indian River Lagoon. This system consists of mats made of a buoyant material fitted with perforated pots which are planted with specific aquatic plants to absorb and store excess nitrogen and phosphorus from the water column. A total of twelve (12) islands will be maintained every four (4) months, which consists of trimming the plants, collecting and composting the plant biomass, collecting samples for laboratory testing and reporting results of removed nutrients.

These floating mats have been in use for over seven (7) years and exceeded their life expectancy. A replacement program has been implemented to replace all the islands within the next three (3) years. This proposal includes the complete replacement of four (4) of the mats and the refurbishment of each anchoring system.

It is on this basis that the Purchasing Manager recommend that competitive procurement be waived and that the above item be treated as a "Single Source" commodity.

Engineering recommends approval of the proposal.

Train in-house staff on harvesting and replanting of the wetland system.

Engineering Department

Beemats LLC