4-Scope of Work.pdf

ITN Requirements for Florida Office of the Ocean Economy Project Management

The Florida Office of the Ocean Economy, (FOOE), is housed at Florida Atlantic University, (FAU). The FOOE is a state-supported effort to better understand, support and grow the ocean-and-coastal based industries that drive jobs, investment, and innovation across our state. The goal of the office is to catalyze sustainable growth in Florida’s ocean economy, helping ensure that our natural resources continue to fuel job creation, business expansion and long-term prosperity. Its work is grounded in common-sense principles: advancing smart investment, reducing risk to coastal infrastructure, and supporting industries that make Florida competitive nationally and globally.

FAU is looking for a firm to provide project management, ensure alignment with strategic objectives and timelines, manage workflows and ensure timely completion of deliverables coordination of the Florida Office of the Ocean Economy.

The vendors will facilitate clear and consistent communication between FAU, FOOE leadership, and stakeholders to prevent delays and misalignment. Additionally, the vendors will be responsible for providing regular status updates, dashboards, and detailed reports to the FOOE Executive Director and FAU leadership.

FAU intends to award one or more vendors for each service described below. The resulting contract will be for one year, with three additional (1) year renewals, contingent upon approved funding.

FAU's preferred method of payment is SUA (single use account).

Scope of Work and Qualifications The selected vendors or candidates must demonstrate the following qualifications and be capable of performing the responsibilities outlined below in support of the Florida Office of Ocean Economy (FOOE):

Required Experience and Expertise

• Proven project management experience within the Ocean Economy sector, including oversight of initiatives related to research, workforce development, community engagement, business and entrepreneurship, and policy.

• Demonstrated ability to establish and manage workflows and maintain a centralized schedule of Office activities.

• Experience monitoring project performance against defined objectives and legislative priorities.

• Ability to support and coordinate statewide or regional convenings focused on workforce, economic development, and policy priorities.

• Experience conducting policy research and analysis on issues related to workforce, economic competitiveness, and infrastructure across Florida’s six ocean economy sectors.

• Ability to draft policy briefs, issue papers, and memos to inform legislative and stakeholder decision-making. These documents may include, but are not limited to:

• Legislative Summaries: Clear, concise overviews of proposed or enacted legislation impacting ocean economy sectors.

• Regulatory Analysis: Assessments of federal, state, and local regulations affecting marine industries, coastal development, and environmental compliance.

• Economic Impact Briefs: Data-driven analyses of how ocean economy initiatives influence job creation, trade, and regional growth.

• Stakeholder Guidance Memos: Action-oriented recommendations for industry partners, local government, and advocacy groups.

• Issue Papers on Emerging Topics: Coverage of areas such as offshore renewable energy, marine conservation, and sustainable fisheries.

Deliverables

• Development of a comprehensive stakeholder engagement summary report. This report should include:

• Identification of Stakeholders: A categorized list of key stakeholders, including government agencies, industry representatives, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, (NGOs), and community organizations.

• Engagement Activities Overview: A summary of meetings, workshops, consultations, and outreach events conducted during the reporting period.

• Feedback Analysis: Compilation and synthesis of stakeholder input, concerns, and recommendations gathered through surveys, interviews, or public comment sessions.

• Engagement Metrics: Quantitative and qualitative measures such as participation rates, geographic representation, and sector diversity.

• Key Themes and Insights: Identification of recurring issues, opportunities, and challenges arise by stakeholders.

• Recommendations: Actionable strategies to improve future engagement and strengthen collaboration across sectors.

• Visual Elements: Charts, graphs, and infographics to clearly present engagement data and trends.

• Creation of marketing collateral, including one-pagers, slide decks, and other outreach materials. Additionally, the scope includes preparing marketing prompts and guidance for personnel participating in tabling activities at marketing events.

• Preparation of the Annual Report for the Florida Office of the Ocean Economy. This includes:

• Collecting and validating relevant data and information.

• Drafting and editing all written content.

• Designing the report layout and ensuring visual consistency.

• Coordinating internal review and securing approval of all content.

• Managing the printing processing and overseeing publication.

• Delivering the finalized report by the deadline established by the FOOE Executive Director.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel within the state of Florida 5–10 times per year on behalf of the FOOE. The vendors are responsible for arranging, booking, and covering the costs associated with travel and accommodations for themselves and any staff participating in these trips.

• Familiarity with Ocean Economy policy support, including legislative tracking and stakeholder engagement.

• The vendors should demonstrate relevant expertise through one or more of the following:

• Professional certifications in project management (e.g., PMP) or a minimum of three (3) years of experience as a Project Manager.

• Master’s degree in public policy or at least three (3) years of experience in public policy or related fields.