County AdministratorBoard of County Commissioners

Joseph AbruzzoSara Baxter, Mayor Marci Woodward, Vice Mayor Maria G. Marino Gregg K. Weiss Joel G. Flores Maria Sachs Procurement Department Bobby Powell, Jr. www.pbcgov.org/procurement

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF ADA, THIS DOCUMENT MAY BE

REQUESTED IN AN ALTERNATE FORMAT

C A U T I O N In order to do business with Palm Beach County vendors are required to create a Vendor Registration Account OR activate an existing Vendor Registration Account through the Procurement Department’s Vendor Self Service (VSS) system which can be accessed at https://pbcvssp.co.palm-beach.fl.us/webapp/vssp/AltSelfService. If proposer intends to use subcontractors, proposer must also ensure that all subcontractors are registered as vendors in VSS. All subcontractor agreements must include a contractual provision requiring that the subcontractor register in VSS. County will not finalize a contract award until a contractor has verified that the contractor and all of its subcontractors are registered in VSS. As they are issued, all Amendments to solicitations will be posted under the applicable solicitation on our VSS system.

Palm Beach County shall not be responsible for the completeness of any Request for Proposal package not downloaded from our VSS system or obtained directly from Palm Beach County Procurement Department.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

RFP NO. 26-053/JC

Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners and

Environmental Resources Management are seeking

Proposals for:

Ground Application - Exotics, Wetland & Vegetation Control

Date issued/available for distribution: June 1, 2026

Proposer shall submit one (1) unbound original, seven (7) bound copies, and one (1) electronic copy in pdf (flash drive) of the complete proposal to be received in the Offices of the Procurement Department no later than July 15, 2026, 4:00 p.m. local time. See Section 1.8 of the RFP for Mailing Instructions.

Non-Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference: See Section 1.6 of this solicitation.

ENVELOPE MUST BE IDENTIFIED WITH THE

DEADLINE DATE FOR THE RECEIPT OF PROPOSALS

AND THE RFP NUMBER.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION PAGE

SECTION 1 GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 ISSUING OFFICE

1.2 INTRODUCTION

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT

1.4 PERIOD OF CONTRACT

1.5 QUALIFICATION OF PROPOSERS

1.6 NON-MANDATORY PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE

1.7 TIMETABLE

1.8 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

1.9 CONTACT PERSON

1.10 CONE OF SILENCE

1.11 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/AMENDMENT(S)

SECTION 2 GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

2.1 PROPOSAL GUARANTEE

2.2 MODIFIED PROPOSALS

2.3 WITHDRAWAL OF PROPOSALS

2.4 LATE PROPOSALS, LATE MODIFIED PROPOSALS

2.5 RFP POSTPONEMENT / CANCELLATION

2.6 COSTS INCURRED BY PROPOSERS

2.7 PROPRIETARY/CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

2.8 NEGOTIATIONS

2.9 RIGHT TO PROTEST

2.10 SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISES (SBE) / SBD REQUIREMENTS

2.11 PALM BEACH COUNTY OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

AUDIT REQUIREMENTS

2.12 RULES; REGULATIONS; LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

2.13 CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECK

2.14 REVIEW OF PROPOSALS

2.15 WAIVER OF MINOR IRREGULARITY…

2.16 EXCEPTIONS TO THE RFP

2.17 SELECTION PROCESS

2.18 EVALUATION CRITERIA

2.19 AWARD OF CONTRACT

2.20 DISCLOSURE OF OWNERSHIP INTERESTS

2.21 STANDARD CONTRACT PROVISIONS (ATTACHMENT 1)

2.22 COMMENCEMENT OF WORK

2.23 INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

2.24 DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE CERTIFICATION

2.25 AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE

i

(continued)

SECTION PAGE

2.26 PROHIBITION AGAINST CONSIDERING SOCIAL, POLITICAL OR

IDEOLOGICAL INTERESTS IN GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING -

F.S. 287.05701

2.27 DISCLOSURE OF FOREIGN GIFTS AND CONTRACTS WITH

FOREIGN COUNTRIES OF CONCERN

SECTION 3 PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

3.1 QUESTIONNAIRES

3.2 EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATION / BACKGROUND /

REFERENCES / INFORMATION…

3.3 PROJECT APPROACH / UNDERSTANDING INFORMATION

3.4 KEY PERSONNEL AND OPERATIONS INFORMATION…

3.5 BUSINESS LOCATION / LOCAL PREFERENCE

3.6 COMMERCIAL NON-DISCRIMINATION…

3.7 PRICE PROPOSAL INFORMATION…

3.8 BUSINESS INFORMATION…

3.9 AMENDMENTS TO THE RFP…

3.10 NON GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY HUMAN TRAFFICKING AFFIDAVIT .. 22

3.11 ADDITIONAL APPENDICES - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION…

3.12 LITIGATION HISTORY

3.13 RELATED ENTITIES

SECTION 4 SCOPE OF WORK/SERVICES

4.1 INTRODUCTION…

4.2 PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT

4.3 OBJECTIVE

4.4 SCOPE OF WORK

4.5 WORK BREAKDOWN STRUCTURE…

ATTACHMENT A - LOCATION MAP FOR PALM BEACH NATURAL AREAS 41

ATTACHMENT B - TREATMENT ZONES

ATTACHMENT C - DAILY PROGRESS REPORT

SECTION 5 ATTACHMENTS

ATTACHMENT 1 – SAMPLE CONTRACT

EXHIBIT A - SCOPE OF WORK /SERVICES

EXHIBIT B - CONTRACTOR'S PROPOSAL

EXHIBIT C - AFFIRMATIVE PROCUREMENT INITIATIVES ("API")

EXHIBIT D - HUMAN TRAFFICKING AFFIDAVIT…

ii

(continued)

SECTION PAGE

SECTION 6 APPENDICES

APPENDIX A – QUESTIONNAIRE ZONE 1

APPENDIX B – QUESTIONNAIRE ZONE 2

APPENDIX C – PRICE PROPOSAL PAGE(S)

APPENDIX D – BUSINESS INFORMATION

APPENDIX E – OSBD SCHEDULES

APPENDIX F – CERTIFICATION OF BUSINESS LOCATION

APPENDIX G - DRUG FREE WORKPLACE CERTIFICATION…

APPENDIX H - DISCLOSURE OF OWNERSHIP INTERESTS…

iii

SECTION 1

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 ISSUING OFFICE

This Request for Proposal (RFP) is issued for the County of Palm Beach, hereinafter referred to as “County”, by the Procurement Department for the benefit of the Environmental Resources Management and Parks & Recreation Departments. The Procurement Department is the SOLE point of contact concerning this RFP. All communications regarding this RFP must be done through the Procurement Department.

See Section 1.8, Contact Person.

1.2 INTRODUCTION

The COUNTY’s Vegetation Management Program is responsible for managing nuisance vegetation in COUNTY managed natural areas (see Attachment A, Location Map for Palm Beach Natural Areas). The COUNTY manages invasive aquatic and terrestrial plants, in addition to hazardous vegetation, in more than 600 acres of public lakes and over 31,000 acres of natural areas. The COUNTY is charged with restoring and preserving natural areas. Species that interfere with these goals include, but are not limited to, water hyacinth, water lettuce, hydrilla, hygrophila, cattail, melaleuca, Australian pine, shoebutton ardisia, climbing ferns, torpedo grass, and Brazilian pepper.

At the present time, herbicides are the primary tool used by the COUNTY to control nuisance species. The methods of herbicide application include, but are not limited to, foliar spray, frill and girdle, stump, basal bark, and broadcast (liquid and granular).

Seedlings of some species in mixed plant communities may be hand pulled in an effort to minimize the impact of herbicides on non-target vegetation.

During the past 25 years, the COUNTY's experience with contracting for these services has seen a continued increase in scope. Many of the projects will require the use of a CONTRACTOR who can supply large numbers of crews and equipment while other projects will require a smaller number of crews and equipment.

The COUNTY has split the natural areas into two (2) distinct treatment zones, hereinafter referred to as “Zone 1” and “Zone 2” and intends to either award separate Contracts for each Zone or award one (1) Contract for both Zones.

Treatment Zones for Palm Beach County Natural Areas (see Attachment B):

• Zone 1: includes medium to large properties that require a substantial amount of vehicles, specialized equipment and personnel to complete the treatments.

• Zone 2: consists of smaller, more urban properties that require a lesser amount of vehicles, specialized equipment and personnel to complete the treatments. No aquatic treatments required.

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT

CONTRACTOR shall provide ground crews to treat invasive and nuisance vegetation in COUNTY owned and managed lands, parks and right of ways. The CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for providing crews, equipment, herbicide and supplies for treating aquatic, wetland and terrestrial vegetation using ground application methods.

CONTRACTOR shall provide services to COUNTY Departments including, but not limited to, Environmental Resources Management, Engineering & Public Works and Parks & Recreation.

CONTRACTOR shall provide services at Zone 1, Zone 2, or Zones 1 and 2. (COUNTY to adjust based on award of the contract(s).

1.4 PERIOD OF CONTRACT

The proposed effective date of this Contract is August 18, 2026. The selected proposer(s) will provide services for a thirty-six (36) month period ending August 17, 2029. Two (2) twelve (12) month renewal option(s) offered by the County, at the County’s sole discretion, may be included.

1.5 QUALIFICATION OF PROPOSERS

All proposers to this RFP shall have demonstrated experience in supplying such services and shall meet all criteria/requirements identified in this RFP.

1.6 NON-MANDATORY PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE

All proposers are invited to attend a Non-Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference which will be held at the Procurement Department, 50 South Military Trail, Room 1N-142 North/South, West Palm Beach, Florida 33415, on June 9, 2026, commencing at 2:00 p.m. local time. At this time, the County’s representative(s) will be available to answer any questions relative to this Request for Proposal. Any questions or comments arising subsequent to the Non-Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference/Site Inspection(s) must be presented in writing prior to the date and time stated in the Timetable (Section 1.7) of the RFP, to be discussed with the County’s representative(s) as possible amendments to the RFP.

Teleconference Information:

JOIN BY PHONE

+1-904-900-2303 US Toll or 1-844-621-3956 United States Toll Free

Meeting Number (access code): 2311 393 2437 Meeting Password: XQmAt7Hmx66

JOIN BY COMPUTER VIA WEBEX MEETING

https://pbc-gov.webex.com/pbc-gov/j.php?MTID=m32aa02392724d79e1161eed9b8201f62 Meeting number (access code): 2311 393 2437

Please contact Jeromy Calderon, Senior Buyer at (561) 616-6815, e-mail address:

jcalderon1@pbcgov.com, for additional information regarding this meeting.

In accordance with the provisions of ADA, auxiliary aids or services will be provided upon request with at least three days notice.

1.7 TIMETABLE

The anticipated schedule and deadline for the RFP and Contract approval are as follows:

Activity Date Time Location

RFP available for Download from Procurement Dept. VSS:

June 1, 2026 Procurement Department 50 S. Military Trail, Ste. 110

W. P. B., FL 33415

https://pbcvssp.co.palm-beach.fl.us/webapp/vssp/AltSelfService

Pre-Bid Conference

June 11, 2026

2:00 p.m.

50 S. Military Trail Room 1N-142 North/South

W.P.B., FL 33415

Deadline for receipt of questions or comments

June 17, 2026 5:00 p.m. Procurement Department 50 S. Military Trail, Ste.110

W. P. B., FL 33415

Deadline for receipt of proposals

July 15, 2026 4:00 p.m. Procurement Department 50 S. Military Trail, Ste. 110

W. P. B., FL 33415

Oral Presentations/ Selection Committee Meeting

July 23, 2026 10:00 a.m. Procurement Department 50 S. Military Trail Room 1N-142 North/South

W.P.B., FL 33415

Posting Date of Notice of Intent to Award

July 30, 2026 Procurement Department 50 S. Military Trail, Ste. 110

W.P.B., FL 33415

www.pbcgov.org/procurement

BCC Award Date August 18, 2026 Governmental Center 301 N. Olive Avenue, 6th Floor

W.P.B., FL 33401

Anticipated Contract Start Date August 18, 2026

NOTE: County reserves the right to alter the above activities and/or times at the

County’s sole discretion.

1.8 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

All proposals must be submitted on 8 ½” x 11” paper.

One (1) unbound original, three (3) bound copies, and one (1) electronic copy in pdf (CD or flash drive) of the complete proposal must be received in the Procurement Department by July 13, 2026, 4:00 p.m. local time. The original and all copies must be submitted in a sealed envelope or container. The proposer’s complete return address must be included on the outer envelope or wrapper enclosing any materials submitted in response to this RFP. The outer envelope or wrapper should be addressed as follows:

Proposer Name Address Phone No.

Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners Procurement Department 50 South Military Trail, Suite 110 West Palm Beach, Florida 33415 ATTENTION: Name, Senior Buyer RFP No. 26-053/JC

Title: Ground Application - Exotics, Wetland & Vegetation Control Due Date: July 13, 2026, 4:00 p.m. local time.

The Procurement Department’s office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays observed by the County.

Proposers are responsible for informing any commercial delivery services, if used, of all delivery requirements and for insuring that the required address information appears on the outer wrapper or envelope used by such service.

The Price Proposal Page(s) (Appendix A) must be signed by an officer of the company who is legally authorized to enter into a contractual relationship in the name of the proposer (“Authorized Person”).

The submission of a signed proposal by a proposer will be considered by the County as constituting a legal offer by the proposer to perform the required services at the proposed pricing identified therein.

1.9 CONTACT PERSON

The contact person for this RFP is Jeromy Calderon, Senior Buyer, at (561) 616-6815, e-mail address PURteam3@pbc.gov or PUR-Procure-Solicit@pbc.gov in the Procurement Department.

Proposers are advised that from the date of release of this RFP until award of the contract, NO contact with County staff and/or designated Selection Committee members concerning this RFP is permitted, except as authorized by the contact person designated herein.

1.10 CONE OF SILENCE

Proposers are advised that the “Palm Beach County Lobbyist Registration Ordinance” prohibits a proposer or anyone representing the proposer from communicating with any County Commissioner, County Commissioner’s staff, or any County Employee authorized to act on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners to award this contract regarding its proposal, i.e., a “Cone of Silence”.

The “Cone of Silence” is in effect from the date/time of the deadline for submission of the proposal, and terminates at the time that the Board of County Commissioners, or a County Department authorized to act on their behalf, awards or approves a contract, rejects all proposals, or otherwise takes action which ends the solicitation process.

Proposers may, however, contact any County Commissioner, County Commissioner’s Staff, or any County Employee authorized to act on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners to award this contract via written communication, i.e., fax, e-mail, or U.S.

Mail.

Violations of the “Cone of Silence” are punishable by a fine of $250.00 per violation.

1.11 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/AMENDMENT(S)

Any questions, comments (i.e., additional information or clarifications) must be made, in writing via fax, e-mail or U.S. Mail, no later than the date specified and to the address listed in the RFP Timetable (Section 1.7) or e-mail address listed for the Contact Person (Section 1.9) above. The request must contain the proposer’s name, address, phone number, facsimile number and e-mail address.

Facsimiles must have a cover sheet which includes, at a minimum, the proposer’s name, address, number of pages transmitted, phone number, facsimile number and e-mail address.

Changes to this RFP, when deemed necessary by the County, will be completed only by written Amendment(s) issued prior to the Deadline for receipt of proposals. Proposers should not rely on any representations, statements or explanation other than those made in the RFP or in any Amendment to this RFP. Where there appears to be a conflict between the RFP and any Amendment issued, the last Amendment issued shall prevail.

As they are issued, all Amendments to solicitations will be posted under the applicable solicitation on the County’s on-line Vendor Self-Service (VSS) system at https://pbcvssp.co.palm-beach.fl.us/webapp/vssp/AltSelfService. It is the sole responsibility of the proposer to routinely check VSS for any Amendments that may have been issued prior to the Deadline for receipt of proposals. The County shall not be responsible for the completeness of any RFP package not downloaded from VSS or obtained directly from the Palm Beach County Procurement Department.

It is the proposer’s sole responsibility to assure receipt of all Amendments. The proposer should verify with the designated Contact Person (see Section 1.9) prior to entering a proposal that all Amendments have been received. Proposers are required to acknowledge the receipt of all Amendments as part of their proposal.

SECTION 2

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

2.1 PROPOSAL GUARANTEE

Proposer guarantees their commitment, compliance, and adherence to all requirements of the RFP by submission of their proposal.

2.2 MODIFIED PROPOSALS

Proposer may submit a modified proposal to replace all or any portion of a previously submitted proposal until the Deadline for receipt of proposals. The County will only consider the latest proposal submitted.

2.3 WITHDRAWAL OF PROPOSALS

A proposal may be withdrawn only by written notification. Letters of withdrawal received after the Deadline for receipt of proposals will not be accepted unless the contract has been awarded to another vendor or no award has been made within ninety (90) days after the Deadline for receipt of proposals.

Unless withdrawn, as provided in this subsection, a proposal shall be irrevocable until the time that a contract is awarded.

2.4 LATE PROPOSALS, LATE MODIFIED PROPOSALS

Proposals and/or modifications to proposals received after the Deadline for receipt of proposals specified in the RFP Timetable (Section 1.7) are late and shall not be considered.

2.5 RFP POSTPONEMENT / CANCELLATION

The County may, at its sole and absolute discretion, reject any and all, or parts of any and all, proposals; waive any minor irregularities in this RFP or in the proposals received as a result of this RFP; postpone or cancel, at any time, this RFP process; or re-issue this RFP.

2.6 COSTS INCURRED BY PROPOSERS

All expenses incurred with the preparation and submission of proposals to the County, or any work performed in connection therewith, shall be borne by the proposer. No payment will be made for proposals received, nor for any other effort required of or made by the proposers, prior to commencement of work as defined by a contract approved by the Board of County Commissioners.

2.7 PROPRIETARY/CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

Any material submitted in response to this Request for Proposal is considered a public document in accordance with Section 119.07, F.S. This includes material which the responding proposer might consider to be confidential. All submitted information that the responding proposer believes to be confidential and exempt from disclosure (i.e., a trade secret or as provided for in Section 119.07 and Section 812.081, F.S.) must be specifically identified as such. Upon receipt of a public records request for such information, a determination will be made as to whether the identified information is, in fact, confidential.

2.8 NEGOTIATIONS

The County may award a contract on the basis of initial proposals received, without discussions. Therefore, each submitted proposal should contain the proposer’s best price and technical offer.

2.9 RIGHT TO PROTEST

Any proposer may protest any recommendations for contract award by submitting a written protest and applicable protest bond to the Director of Procurement within five (5) business days after posting the Notice of Intent to Award in accordance with Chapter 2, Article II, Section 2-55 of the Palm Beach County Code. Protests must be submitted in writing, addressed to the Director of Procurement, via hand delivery, or mail using the Procurement Department’s address noted in Section 1.8 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION of this RFP

2.10 SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISES (SBE) / SBD REQUIREMENTS

All Small Business Enterprise (SBD) Program forms, including waiver and good faith effort forms and documentation are available on the Office of Small Business Development (OSBD) website: https://discover.pbcgov.org/HED/osbd/Pages/Documents.aspx.

Item 1 – Policy The BCC adopted the Small Business Development Ordinance (SBD Ordinance), codified in Sections 2-80.20 through 2-80.28 (as may be amended) of the Palm Beach County Code, which sets forth the County’s requirements for the SBD Program, and which is incorporated in this solicitation. The provisions of the SBD Ordinance are applicable to this solicitation, and has precedence over the provisions of this solicitation in the event of a conflict.

Item 2 – Proposal Submission Documentation If any subcontractors/subconsultants are utilized in performing work under the contract, bidders or respondents must complete Schedule 1 and Schedule 2, listing the work to be performed by any subcontractor/subconsultant, including SBE subcontractors/subconsultants.

SBE bidders or proposers submitting as prime contractors or consultants (Primes) are advised that they must complete Schedule 1 and Schedule 2, listing the work to be performed by their own workforce.

Schedules 1 and 2 must be submitted with the bid or proposal prior to the published bid or proposal due date and time.

Schedule 1 – List of Proposed Contractor/Consultant and Subcontractor/Subconsultant Participation A completed Schedule 1 must be submitted by the Prime and list the names of all subcontractors/subconsultants intended to be used in performance of the contract, if awarded, including the total proposed percentage of SBE participation. This schedule must also be used if an SBE Prime is performing all or any portion of the contract with their own workforce.

When a minimum mandatory API goal is applied, an improperly executed Schedule 1 will not count toward the established goal and may result in a determination of non-responsiveness to the solicitation.

Schedule 2 – Letter of Intent A completed and executed Schedule 2 is a binding document between the Prime and subcontractor/subconsultant (any tier) and should be treated as such. Each Schedule 2 must be executed by the Prime and by all proposed subcontractor/subconsultant. If the Prime is an SBE, a Schedule 2 must be submitted to document work to be performed by its own workforce. All SBE(s) must specify, in detail, the type of work they will perform along with the dollar amount they will be compensated and/or percentage of work they will perform. If any subcontractor/subconsultant intends to subcontract any portion of their work, they are required to list the dollar amount and the name of the subcontractor/subconsultant on this Schedule. All named subcontractors/subconsultants on this Schedule must also complete and submit a separate Schedule 2. The Prime may count toward its SBE goal 2nd and 3rd tiered certified SBE(s); provided that the Prime submits a completed and executed Schedule 2 for each SBE.

A detailed scope of work may be attached with an executed Schedule 2.

In the event of a conflict between Schedules 1 and 2 when calculating SBE participation, the information provided on Schedule 2 takes precedence.

In the event of mathematical error(s), the unit price, if available, shall prevail and the bidder or proposer’s total offer shall be corrected accordingly. If the County’s issuance of an alternate or change order on a project results in changes in the scope of work to be performed by a subcontractor/subconsultant listed at the time of bid submission, the Prime must submit a completed and executed Schedule 2 that specifies the revised scope of work to be performed by the subcontractor/subconsultant, along with the modified price and/or percentage.

2.11 PALM BEACH COUNTY OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL AUDIT

REQUIREMENTS

Pursuant to Palm Beach County Code, Section 2-421 - 2-440, as amended, Palm Beach County’s Office of Inspector General is authorized to review past, present and proposed County contracts, transactions, accounts, and records. The Inspector General’s authority includes, but is not limited to, the power to audit, investigate, monitor, and inspect the activities of entities contracting with the County, or anyone acting on their behalf, in order to ensure compliance with contract requirements and to detect corruption and fraud.

Failure to cooperate with the Inspector General or interfering with or impeding any investigation shall be a violation of Palm Beach County Code, Section 2-421 – 2-440, and punished pursuant to Section 125.69, F.S., in the same manner as a second degree misdemeanor.

2.12 RULES; REGULATIONS; LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

The proposer shall comply with all laws, ordinances and regulations applicable to the services contemplated herein, to include those applicable to conflict of interest and collusion. Proposers are presumed to be familiar with all federal, state and local laws, ordinances, codes and regulations that may in any way affect the services offered, by the Department of Labor Regulations (41 CFR, Part 60).

2.13 CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECK

Pursuant to Palm Beach County Code Section 2-371 – 2-377, the Palm Beach County Criminal History Records Check Ordinance (“Ordinance”), the County will conduct fingerprint based criminal history record checks on all persons not employed by the County who repair, deliver, or provide goods or services for, to, or on behalf of the County.

A fingerprint based criminal history record check shall be conducted on all employees of contractors and subcontractors of contractors, including repair persons and delivery persons, who are unescorted when entering a facility determined to be either a critical facility ("Critical Facilities") or a criminal justice information facility ("CJI Facilities"), which are critical to the public safety and security of the County. County facilities that require this heightened level of security are identified in Resolution R2013-1470, R2015-0572 and R2024-0549, as may be amended. In October 2013, compliance with the requirements of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation’s CJI Security Policy was added to the Ordinance, which includes a broad list of disqualifying offenses. The proposer is solely responsible for understanding the financial, schedule, implications, and/or staffing implications of this Ordinance. Further, the proposer acknowledges that its proposal price includes any and all direct or indirect costs associated with compliance of this Ordinance, except for the applicable FDLE/FBI fees that shall be paid by the County.

2.14 REVIEW OF PROPOSALS

Each proposal will be reviewed to determine if the proposal is responsive to the RFP.

Proposals deemed to be non-responsive will be rejected without being evaluated by the Selection Committee. A responsive proposal is one which has been signed, has been submitted by the specified submission time, and has provided the information required to be submitted with the proposal (as stated in Section 3). While poor formatting, poor documentation, and/or incomplete or unclear information may not be cause to reject a proposal without evaluation, such substandard submissions may adversely impact the evaluation of your proposal, especially information relating to establishing financial/business stability. Proposers who fail to comply with all of the required and/or desired elements of this RFP, do so at their own risk.

2.15 WAIVER OF MINOR IRREGULARITY

An irregularity in a proposer’s submitted proposal is deemed minor for purposes of correction when: (1) its waiver would not deprive the County of its assurance that the contract will be entered into, performed and guaranteed according to its specified requirements, and (2) the irregularity is of such a nature that its waiver would not adversely affect competitive proposals by placing a proposer in a position of advantage over other proposers or by otherwise undermining the necessary common standard of competition. Pricing errors are never considered a minor irregularity.

In situations where a proposal has incomplete, missing or unsigned required documents, which are deemed a minor irregularity, the Director of Procurement may allow the Proposer up to five (5) business days to correct said minor irregularity, per Section 2- 54(C)(6)(a)(2), Palm Beach County Code. The decision whether to waive a minor irregularity is within the sole discretion of the Director of Procurement.

2.16 EXCEPTIONS TO THE RFP

All exceptions taken must be specific, and the proposer must indicate clearly what alternative is being offered to allow the County a meaningful opportunity to evaluate the proposal. Proposers are cautioned that submitting an alternative proposal does not relieve the proposer from submitting the “Minimum Requirements” as stated in Section 3.

The County is under NO obligation to accept any proposed exceptions or alternatives.

2.17 SELECTION PROCESS

All proposals timely received will be reviewed first by the Procurement Department to determine if each proposer has submitted the required information and met all Proposal Requirements (as stated in Section 3). Those proposals fulfilling the Proposal Requirements shall be referred to the Selection Committee for review and further consideration.

The Selection Committee will evaluate all responses to this RFP that meet the Proposal Requirements and are deemed responsive. The Selection Committee may evaluate all proposals based solely on the information submitted with the proposal. Accordingly, proposers are urged to ensure that their proposal contains all the necessary information for the Selection Committee to fairly and accurately evaluate each of the criteria listed below in Section 2.18. However, an oral presentation, additional written information, internal staff analysis, proposer presentations, outside consultants, and/or any other information may be required, at any time during the selection process, to help the Committee determine the final ranking of proposers. The Selection Committee may determine, as the result of additional information, that the impact of this information is significant and may be considered in the scoring and/or ranking, at the discretion of the Committee.

The Selection Committee shall meet in public session as necessary to score each proposal by reviewing each proposal against the evaluation criteria listed below, see Section 2.18. The Selection Committee will score each Zone (Zone 1 and Zone 2) separately. Upon completion of the Selection Committee’s review and discussion of all the responsive proposals submitted, each Selection Committee Member shall score each proposal by Zone and total the scores for each proposal by Zone. The proposals shall be assigned a ranking based upon the totals of each Selection Committee Member’s score for each proposal by Zone.

After the Selection Committee has developed an overall ranking for each proposer, the committee will then review, discuss, and declare the proposer ranked the highest in each of the two (2) Zones as its “finalist” and make its recommendation for award of the contract(s).

2.18 EVALUATION CRITERIA

1. Experience / Qualifications Weight 40% (40 pts) Background / References (See Section 3.2)

2. Project Approach / Understanding Weight 10% (10 pts)

(See Section 3.3)

3. Key Personnel and Operations Weight 15% (15 pts) (See Section 3.4)

4. Price Proposal Weight 15% (15 pts)

(See Section 3.7)

5. Small Business Enterprises Weight 15 % ( 15 pts) (See Section 2.10 and Exhibit C “API”s)

6. Business Location / Local Preference Weight 5 % ( 5 pts)

(See Section 3.5)

2.19 AWARD OF CONTRACT

The award, if any, will be made to the responsive, responsible proposer whose proposal is considered to be the most advantageous to the County based on the Selection Committee’s opinion after review of every such proposal including, but not limited to, price.

Upon review and approval of the Selection Committee’s recommendation for award, the Procurement Department will post the award recommendation at the Procurement Department and on the Procurement Department website at www.pbcgov.org/procurement for a period of five (5) business days for review by interested parties prior to final approval of the award. The apparent successful proposer will be notified of the recommendation for award by mail. The recommended awardee shall provide documentation that demonstrates that the individual(s) executing the Contract has the authority to do so and to legally bind the recommended awardee. A contract must be completed and executed by the successful proposer and the County and, when appropriate, by the Board of County Commissioners before it becomes valid and effective. If these conditions and contract negotiations, if applicable, are not met and/or completed within a reasonable timeframe as determined by the County, the County may elect to cancel the Recommended Award to that proposer and make the award recommendation to the next most advantageous proposer. This process may continue until such time as the County has determined to cancel the procurement in its entirety.

The official posting on the Procurement Department website shall prevail if a discrepancy exists between the referenced listings.

2.20 DISCLOSURE OF OWNERSHIP INTERESTS

Pursuant to a directive by the Board of County Commissioners, the Disclosure of Ownership Interest affidavit (DOIA, Appendix F) must be completed on behalf of any individual or business entity that seeks to do business with the County when applicable.

Disclosure does not apply to nonprofit corporations, government agencies, or to an individual’s or entity’s interest in any entity registered with the Federal Securities Exchange Commission or registered pursuant to Chapter 517, F.S., whose interest is for sale to the general public.

Upon request from the Procurement Department, the recommended awardee shall submit a completed DOIA (Appendix F) within a reasonable time, as requested. If the recommended awardee fails to submit a completed DOIA in a timely manner, the County, at its sole discretion, may elect to cancel the Recommended Award.

2.21 STANDARD CONTRACT PROVISIONS (ATTACHMENT 1)

The selected proposer will be required to execute a contract similar to the attached Sample Standard Contract (Attachment 1). If a proposer has comments related to any of the provisions in this RFP and/or the Sample Standard Contract, comments must be made, in writing, no later than the date specified in the RFP Timetable (see Section 1.6).

The Sample Standard Contract provisions (general and specific) will be incorporated into any contract resulting from this RFP. Should any selected proposer and the County be unable to consummate a written contract, the County may proceed to the next most advantageous proposal as determined by the Selection Committee or issue a new solicitation or cancel the procurement process in its entirety.

2.22 COMMENCEMENT OF WORK

This RFP does not, by itself, obligate the County. The County’s obligation will commence when the contract is approved by the Board of County Commissioners or their designee and upon written notice to the proposer. The County may set a different starting date for the contract. The County will not be responsible for any work done by the proposer, even work done in good faith, if it occurs prior to the contract start date set by the County.

2.23 INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

Prior to the effective date of the Contract, it shall be the responsibility of the successful proposer to provide evidence of the minimum amounts of insurance coverage specified in Attachment 1, Article 16, to Palm Beach County through the Contact Person set forth in Section 1.8, until otherwise notified by County.

The successful proposer shall, on a primary basis and at its sole expense, maintain in full force and effect, at all times during the life of this Contract, insurance coverages and limits (including endorsements) as described herein (see Attachment 1, Article 16). Failure to maintain the required insurance shall be considered default of the Contract. The requirements contained herein, as well as the County’s review or acceptance of insurance maintained by the successful proposer, are not intended to and shall not in any manner limit or qualify the liabilities and obligations assumed by the successful proposer under the Contract.

2.24 DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE CERTIFICATION

Proposers should submit, with their proposal, an executed Drug-Free Workplace Certification (Appendix G) indicating that the proposer has implemented a Drug-Free Workplace Program which meets the requirements of Section 287.087, F.S.

2.25 AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE

The authorized representative signature required on all offers and the Contract must be made by an officer of the company (if applicable).

2.26 PROHIBITION AGAINST CONSIDERING SOCIAL, POLITICAL OR

IDEOLOGICAL INTERESTS IN GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING - F.S.

287.05701.

Proposers are hereby notified of the provisions of section 287.05701, Florida Statutes, as amended, that the County will not request documentation of or consider a Proposer’s social, political, or ideological interests when determining if the Proposer is a responsible Proposer. Proposers are further notified that the County's governing body may not give preference to a Proposer based on the Proposer’s social, political, or ideological interests.

2.27 DISCLOSURE OF FOREIGN GIFTS AND CONTRACTS WITH FOREIGN

COUNTRIES OF CONCERN

Pursuant to F.S. 286.101, as may be amended, by entering into a Contract or performing any work in furtherance hereof, the Proposer certifies that it has disclosed any current or prior interest of, any contract with, or any grant or gift received from a foreign country of concern where such interest, contract, or grant or gift has a value of $50,000 or more and such interest existed at any time or such contract or grant or gift was received or in force at any time during the previous five (5) years.

SECTION 3

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

PROPOSAL FORMAT AND CONTENT

Format

Proposer shall submit one (1) unbound original, seven (7) bound copies, and one (1) electronic copy in pdf (flash drive) of the complete proposal. Proposals should be typed and submitted on 8 ½” x 11” size paper. Copies should be bound using a single method of fastening (e.g., stapled, binder, etc.). Proposals should include only brief and concise narrative. The enclosure of elaborate or unnecessary verbiage or promotional material is discouraged.

Table of Contents

Proposals should contain a Table of Contents. The Table of Contents outlines, in sequential order, all of the areas of the proposal and it allows for clarity and ease of review of the proposal.

Letter of Transmittal

Proposals should contain a Letter of Transmittal addressed to Jeromy Calderon, Senior Buyer, and should, at a minimum, contain the following:

a. Identification of Proposer, including name, address and telephone number.

b. Proposed working relationship between proposer and subcontractors, if applicable.

c. Name, title, address, telephone/fax numbers and e-mail address of contact person during period of proposal evaluation.

d. Signed by a person authorized to bind proposer to the terms of the proposal.

Technical Proposal

Proposals shall contain all of the documents listed below, each fully completed, signed, and notarized as required. Failure of a proposer to provide the required information is considered sufficient cause to deem the proposal non-responsive.

The item(s) marked by an asterisk (*) should be a part of the proposal; however, if these items are omitted, the proposer must submit the item(s) upon request from the County within a time frame specified by the County (normally within two working days of request) or the proposal shall be deemed non-responsive. All other items must be submitted with the proposal or it shall be deemed non-responsive.

Notwithstanding these proposal requirements, the County reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to waive any minor irregularity relating to the proposal. Upon request, it shall be the responsibility of the proposer to address the determined minor irregularity within a time frame specified by the County (normally within two working days of request). Failure of a proposer to provide the required information within the specified time frame is considered sufficient cause to deem the proposal non-responsive.

Each of the following requirements should be addressed in separate sections of the proposal.

3.1 QUESTIONNAIRES

• Appendix A, Questionnaire, Zone 1

• Appendix B, Questionnaire, Zone 2

Each proposer shall complete and submit the Questionnaire(s) (Appendix A and/or B) that is applicable to the Zone(s) for which they are submitting a proposal. The answers contained therein and any documentation provided shall be used to evaluate each proposal under the evaluation criteria listed below as 3.2, 3.3, and

3.4. The proposer should answer all questions in Appendix A and/or B. Please attach additional information, if necessary, to fully respond to a particular question.

Note:

• ZONE 1: Proposer must be able to answer YES to question #20, a. – f. Only those proposers whose proposals meet the equipment requirements specified in question #20 of the Questionnaire (Appendix A) shall be evaluated. If a proposer cannot answer YES to all of the requirements contained in question #20, the proposal shall be determined non-responsive to the RFP.

• ZONE 2: Proposer must be able to answer YES to question #17, a. – e.

Only those proposers whose proposals meet the equipment requirements specified in question #17 of the Questionnaire (Appendix B) shall be evaluated. If a proposer cannot answer YES to all of the requirements contained in question #17, the proposal shall be determined non-responsive to the RFP.

3.2 EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATION / BACKGROUND / REFERENCES

INFORMATION

3.2.1 Each proposer shall submit a detailed statement of their experience, qualifications, and background for providing crews, equipment, herbicide and supplies for treating aquatic, wetland and terrestrial vegetation using ground application methods.

*3.2.2 Each proposer should submit a minimum of three (3) references demonstrating the successful provision of treating aquatic wetland and terrestrial vegetation using ground application methods within the past five

(5) year(s).

Each reference should include the following:

a. Name of client company, contact names, addresses, e-mail address, telephone/fax numbers, dollar amount of contracts and dates of service.

b. Scope of Work, types of services performed and number of full-time staff provided.

3.3 PROJECT APPROACH / UNDERSTANDING INFORMATION

The proposer shall provide a detailed narrative description of its approach and methodology for implementing ground application methods including, but not limited to, the following:

If proposing to Zone 1 (Z1):

3.3.1 (Z1) Describe past treatments on urban scrub sites (>100 acres), large upland/wetland systems (>1,500 acres) as well as very large upland/wetland systems (6,000 - 12,000 acres).

3.3.2 (Z1) How does your company plan to maintain quality control on 7 to 12 ground crews that are spread out over an area the size of Palm Beach County?

If proposing to Zone 2 (Z2):

3.3.1 (Z2) Describe past treatments on urban scrub sites (<100 acres).

3.3.2 (Z2) How does your company plan to maintain quality control on 1 to 2 ground crews that are spread out over an area the size of Palm Beach County?

3.4 KEY PERSONNEL AND OPERATIONS INFORMATION

The proposer shall provide:

3.4.1 An Organizational Chart identifying the structure of firm.

3.4.2 A list of the key personnel assigned to the project, along with a complete resume detailing their experience, education, expertise, qualifications and knowledge in providing the services outlined in Section 4 - Scope of Work/Services. Include in this section any personnel with a biological background (Biology, Botany or any other Natural Science degree) that will assist the field crews in the identification and treatment methodologies of invasive and nuisance vegetation.

3.4.3 A description of the role of each staff member who will be responsible for handling and monitoring the Contract.

3.4.4 Identification of projects of similar nature in which each staff member has been involved.

3.4.5 Describe what minimum training, licensing and experience is required by your company to be a crew supervisor.

3.4.6 Describe your policy and procedures to document employees and laborers through E-verify.

3.4.7 Describe the turnover rate in your laborers and crew supervisors.

3.4.8 Describe the equipment such as trucks, buggies, boats, and UTV’s that your company has available today. What additional equipment can your company access if the County needed to add additional crews?

• If proposing to Zone 2: “buggies” are not required.

3.4.9 Describe your ability to deploy and retrieve supplies and equipment (buggies, boats, herbicide, etc).

• If proposing to Zone 2: “buggies” are not required.

3.4.10 Describe your procedures and response for handling an herbicide spill.

3.4.11 If proposing to Zone 1: Describe your procedures and response if a crew member were to become seriously injured or ill while inside a large site with limited access.

• If proposing to Zone 2: This item 3.4.11 is not applicable.

3.4.12 If proposing to Zone 1: Describe your procedures and response for handling a swamp buggy that has broken down inside a property. What are your plans to retrieve the broken buggy and continue ongoing work?

• If proposing to Zone 2: This item 3.4.12 is not applicable.

3.4.13 Describe your procedures to ensure ground crews do not harass or injure native wildlife or mis-target endangered plants.

3.4.14 A copy of proposer’s Safety Plan that details your response to potentially dangerous situations (such as chemical spills, lost employees, road vehicle or boating accidents) as well as the pertinent safety training (wilderness first aid, heat awareness, CPR, etc.) that is provided to your employees.

3.5 BUSINESS LOCATION / LOCAL PREFERENCE

Pursuant to Section 2-80.47 of the Palm Beach County Local Preference Code, unless prohibited by federal, state or local law or where prohibited under the conditions of any grant, the location of a business shall be addressed through the evaluation criteria set forth in this solicitation.

Proposer shall submit at the time of proposal submission the attached “Certification of Business Location” (Appendix F) (the “Certification”) together with a valid Business Tax Receipt issued by the Palm Beach County Tax Collector, unless the proposer is exempt from the Business Tax Receipt requirement by law, which will be used to verify that the proposer had a permanent place of business prior to the issuance of this Notice of Solicitation/Request for Proposal. The Palm Beach County Business Tax Receipt and the Certification are the sole determinant of Business Location/Local Preference points. Errors in the completion of the Certification or failure to submit the completed Certification will cause the proposer to not receive points for Business Location/Local Preference.

Provided a proposer does not qualify to receive an SBE preference, local proposers who submit the Certification, together with the required Business Tax Receipt at the time of proposal submission, shall receive five (5) points.

3.6 COMMERCIAL NON-DISCRIMINATION

As a condition of submitting a proposal to the County, the proposer agrees to comply with the County’s Commercial Non-discrimination Policy as described in Resolution R2025-0748, as may be amended. In accordance with Palm Beach County Code Section 2-80.24, proposer hereby certifies and agrees that the following information is correct: In preparing its response to this solicitation, the proposer has considered all proposals submitted from qualified, potential subcontractors and suppliers, and has not engaged in "discrimination" as defined in the County’s Commercial Nondiscrimination Policy as set forth in Resolution R2025-0748, as may be amended, to wit: discrimination in the solicitation, selection or commercial treatment of any subcontractor, vendor, supplier or commercial customer on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, disability, or genetic information, or on the basis of any otherwise unlawful use of characteristics regarding the vendor's, supplier's or commercial customer's employees or owners;

provided that nothing in this policy shall be construed to prohibit or limit otherwise lawful efforts to remedy the effects of discrimination that have occurred or are occurring in the County’s relevant marketplace of Palm Beach County. Without limiting the foregoing, "discrimination" also includes retaliating against any person or other entity for reporting any incident of "discrimination." Without limiting any other provision of the solicitation, it is understood and agreed that, if this certification is false, such false certification will constitute grounds for the County to reject the proposal submitted by the proposer for this Solicitation, and to terminate any contract awarded based on the response.

At the time of proposal submission, the proposer shall provide to the County a list of all instances within the immediate past four (4) years where there has been a final adjudicated determination in a legal or administrative proceeding in the State of Florida that the proposer discriminated against its subcontractors, vendors, suppliers or commercial customers, and a description of the status or resolution of that complaint, including any remedial action taken.

Indicate your agreement to the foregoing by signing the Price Proposal Page(s).

In accordance with Palm Beach County Code Section 2-80.24, this certification and agreement must be completed and submitted with the proposal for all solicitations.

Required Appendices

3.7 PRICE PROPOSAL INFORMATION

The proposer shall submit the attached Price Proposal Page(s) (Appendix C) filled out and signed. The proposer shall indicate the amount of money to be paid by the County during the Contract term.

Offers will receive up to the maximum points listed in 2.18 above, based upon the reasonableness of the total price and competitiveness of this amount with other offers received.

In order for the County to make payment, the Vendor’s Legal Name, Vendor’s Address and Vendor’s TIN/FEIN Number on the Contractor’s proposal and Contract must be exactly the same as it appears on the…