“Breaking: Sargasso Barrier Sale Fails to Attract Bidders!”

The National Public Tender SEMA-DA-DRMP-LPN-008/2024, which was initiated for the purchase of 3,750 meters of sargasso containment barrier, was recently declared void. This decision was made by the Secretary of Ecology and Environment (SEMA) of Quintana Roo due to the absence of any bidders. As a result, no technical or economic proposals were submitted for consideration.

The tender presentation and proposal opening took place on Monday, July 29, at the SEMA headquarters in the state capital. The 3,750 meters of sargasso containment barrier were intended for the Coordination Program of the Strategy for the Attention to Sargasso in the State of Quintana Roo.

SEMA had planned to buy two sargasso containment barriers, each measuring 1,875 meters. These barriers, divided into 125 sections of 15 meters each, were to be flexible and stand 105 centimeters tall, with 30 centimeters above the water surface and the remaining 75 centimeters submerged.

Each barrier was expected to be equipped with floats, interconnectors between barriers, and double anchorage points at each end. Furthermore, all materials used were to be non-toxic and resistant to corrosion. However, as of Tuesday, July 30, SEMA has not initiated a new bidding process for the sargasso containment barrier.

In November 2023, SEMA purchased 3,750 meters of barriers and a mini sargasso remover floating device for 30 million 387 thousand 782.24 pesos. This equipment, consisting of two units of 1,875-meter sargasso retention barriers, was delivered in 15-meter sections to the Port Precinct of Puerto Morelos by the Integral Port Administration (Apiqroo).