Miami-Dade County commissioners voted to direct the mayor to solicit best-and-final-offers (BAFOs) from the two top-ranked proposers for the county’s sargassum (seaweed) removal contract and approved a 90-day extension of the current contract, subject to the incumbent vendor’s agreement.

The action, taken on agenda item 3b, instructs the administration to return with a recommendation within 30 days and keeps the existing service in place so beach cleaning is uninterrupted. Commissioner Millian Orbis moved the measure; the motion passed by voice vote.

The vote responds to a roughly $3 million price gap between the highest-ranked proposer, Beach Raker LLC, and the lower-priced proposer, SFM Services. Commissioners discussed potential savings, procurement practice, and environmental risks from changing vendors.

“Because we can save about $3,000,000, we want to see if it’s able to achieve that,” said Commissioner Millian Orbis, describing the purpose of asking for extra time and competitive best-and-final offers.

Why it matters

Commissioners and county staff warned that sargassum removal is not a routine trash collection task: the material can carry heavy metals and water, requires drying and regulated disposal, and can trigger additional costs such as tipping fees and beach renourishment if handled improperly. Commissioner Eileen Regalado said, “This 1 is particularly dangerous,” and urged caution before shifting the full contract to a bidder without documented experience.

County procurement and proposals

County staff said five companies submitted proposals; two were deemed nonresponsive and three were evaluated. The selection committee ranked Beach Raker first and SFM second. Beach Raker’s president, Chip Jones, described the company as “best in class,” said the drying process can take about 90 days and outlined prior work with federal and state agencies. “It takes about 90 days to dry this,” Jones said, describing water capture and permitting needs.

Christian Infante, president of SFM Services, acknowledged his company has not previously removed sargassum at the same scale but said SFM has partnered with a national debris firm and has vendor commitments to acquire required equipment. “The short answer is yes,” Infante said when asked whether SFM could pick up and dispose of sargassum at its bid price.

County director Christina White (PROS) told commissioners the contract covers three components: removal from the beach, staging, and disposal at a landfill, and that tipping fees currently are paid by the county. “The county,” she said when asked who bears tipping fees.

Protections and next steps

Commissioners sought guardrails to reduce the chance of costly change orders or improper handling. Suggestions included: ensuring responsibility reviews for top-ranked proposers (not only the recommended firm), asking for qualifications as part of any BAFO, piloting work if a less-experienced vendor is selected, and maintaining a fallback contract if a new vendor fails to perform.

The motion approved by the committee directs the mayor to solicit BAFOs from the two highest-ranked proposers and to return a recommendation within 30 days, and to negotiate an extension of the current vendor’s contract for up to 90 days if the incumbent agrees. The county’s administration will report back with the BAFO results and a recommendation.

Votes at a glance

- Motion (agenda item 3b): Direct the mayor to solicit best-and-final-offers from the two high-ranked proposers and return a recommendation within 30 days; subject to the current vendor’s agreement, extend the current contract for 90 days. Mover: Commissioner Millian Orbis. Second: motion seconded on the floor (unspecified in voice record). Outcome: approved by voice vote.

What commissioners said next

Several commissioners emphasized fiscal scrutiny and public-safety risk. Commissioner Cohen Higgins said she supported exploring savings but warned about change orders and the need for guardrails. Commissioner Ronald Gilbert and others pressed procurement staff to ensure that the top alternatives are fully vetted as responsible bidders so the commission can exercise discretion without being forced into a higher-cost emergency solution.

The committee’s action keeps the existing vendor in place temporarily while the BAFO process proceeds and directs staff to return with recommendations and supporting material within 30 days.