26-8644_Form_4_Local_Vendor_Preference_Certification.pdf

This is a Local Vendor Preference Certification form issued by Collier County, Florida's Procurement Services Division for Solicitation No. 26-8644, a Request for Proposals seeking tourism research services. The solicitation is being conducted by Collier County Board of County Commissioners on behalf of the Tourism Division to obtain comprehensive research and analytics evaluating the effectiveness of the County's tourism advertising and promotional efforts. The scope of services includes monthly visitor profile studies through airport interviews, hotel and attraction surveys, and online interviews; monthly hotel occupancy and average daily rate studies with annual comparisons; annual economic impact assessments measuring tax revenue, employment effects, and return on advertising investment; and three to four annual focus group research sessions in domestic and international markets. The contract term is three years with two optional one-year renewal options. Proposals must be submitted electronically by April 8, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST and remain valid for 180 days. Evaluation criteria totaling 100 points include cover letter and management summary (5 points), certified woman and minority business enterprise status (5 points), business plan and methodology (20 points), cost of services (20 points), firm experience and capacity (20 points), specialized expertise of team members (20 points), and local vendor preference (10 points).

Local vendor preference is available for businesses maintaining a physical business address within Collier or Lee County limits with an appropriately zoned location, demonstrating verifiable economic contribution to Collier County through employment or tax base support, and maintaining a current local Business Tax Receipt issued by the Collier County Tax Collector prior to bid submission. To qualify as a local business, vendors must affirm in writing their compliance with these requirements and provide documentation substantiating the information if requested by the County. Vendors who misrepresent their local preference status face loss of local preference eligibility for up to one year. Historical annual expenditures for tourism research services approximate $120,000, though the County reserves the right to award to a single proposer or multiple proposers if deemed in the County's best interest. All proposers must meet mandatory compliance requirements including E-Verify enrollment, Florida Certificate of Authority to Conduct Business, appropriate insurance coverage with Collier County named as Additional Insured, and bonds including a 5 percent Bid Bond and, if the contract exceeds $200,000, Performance and Payment Bonds equal to 100 percent of the contract award amount.