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It is the responsibility of Respondents who receive this solicitation from sources other than the portals identified above or St. Johns River Water Management District to contact the District’s Procurement staff prior to the due date to ensure any updates/addenda are received in order to submit a responsible and responsive offer. If you fail to submit a complete and accurate document, the District may deem the offer non-responsive and reject your submittal.

ADDENDA ACKNOWLEDGMENT: Prior to submitting my offer, I have verified that all addenda issued to date are considered as part of my offer:

Addendum No. Date Addendum No. Date Addendum No. Date

RESPONDENT NAME:

STREET ADDRESS:

MAILING ADDRESS (IF DIFFERENT):

PRIMARY E-MAIL ADDRESS (required)

SECONDARY E-MAIL ADDRESS (required)

TELEPHONE: ( ) YEAR COMPANY WAS ESTABLISHED

NAME/TITLE OF PERSON SUBMITTING PROPOSAL:

SIGNATURE OF PERSON SUBMITTING PROPOSAL:

This document must be completed and returned with your submittal

THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

42136 INACTIVATION OF BIO-AVAILABLE SEDIMENT PHOSPHORUS IN LAKE JESUP

The St. Johns River Water Management District (the “District”) is seeking submittals from qualified firms to study sediment bioavailable phosphorus treatment with lanthanum-modified bentonite for Lake Jesup, including sediment sampling and data collection, associated permitting, community outreach as needed, treatment application, post-treatment monitoring for three years, and an assessment of results (the “Work”).

Interested and qualified Respondents are invited to submit a complete submittal package in accordance with the requirements and specifications detailed in this solicitation. Submittals must address all elements of the Scope of Work and comply with the terms and conditions set forth herein.

Further information is available through DemandStar at demandstar.com, Central Bidding at centralbidding.com, the state of Florida’s MyFloridaMarketPlace at myfloridamarketplace.com or the District’s website at sjrwmd.com. Solicitation packages may be obtained from the above portals. Respondents may also request the solicitation package directly from the District.

For all requests or questions relating to this solicitation, please contact:

Kendall Siemiatkoski, Contracts Manager

Phone: 386-312-2324 or E-Mail: ksiemiat@sjrwmd.com

PRE-SUBMITTAL MEETING – No Pre-Bid Scheduled

LAST DAY FOR QUESTIONS – April 3, 2026; 5:00PM

SUBMITTAL DUE DATE

1:00 PM Monday, April 13, 2026

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

42136 INACTIVATION OF BIO-AVAILABLE SEDIMENT PHOSPHORUS IN LAKE JESUP

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover Sheet……………………………………………………………………………………………… Page 1

Table of Contents Page 2

PART 1 – Scope of Work Pages 3-6

PART 2 – General Information & Requirements Pages 7-16

PART 3 – Forms………………………………………………………………………………………… Pages 17-31

PART 4 – Draft Agreement Pages 32-54

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PART 1 – SCOPE OF WORK

INACTIVATION OF BIO-AVAILABLE SEDIMENT PHOSPHORUS IN LAKE JESUP

I. INTRODUCTION

Lake Jesup is a shallow, hypereutrophic lake located in central Seminole County. The lake’s surface area fluctuates between 10,000 – 16,000 acres. Prior to the mid-1980s, the lake’s tributaries received effluent from wastewater treatment plants. During this period, high concentrations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and algal blooms were prevalent, resulting in the accumulation of nutrient-rich sediments. In 2006, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) adopted Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for the lake for total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP). In response to the TMDL, a Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) was adopted in 2010. Since then, the local governments have implemented projects that exceed the needed N and P reductions in external loading. During the subsequent BMAP Amendment development in 2019, the contribution of legacy P from internal sediment recycling was estimated to be 35% of the annual P inputs to the water column.

Due to the significant sediment P recycling, reduction of watershed loading alone will likely be insufficient to meet the TMDL targets for Lake Jesup in a timely manner. In 2022, the DEP provided funding to the St. Johns River Water Management District (District) to study the effectiveness of sediment treatment technologies to limit bioavailable P (BAP) exchange from the sediments to the water column in Lake Jesup. The study results from Lake Jesup and a separate pilot project at the District’s Ocklawaha Prairie Restoration Area demonstrated that Lanthanum Modified Bentonite (LMB) is effective at binding and inactivating sediment BAP, thus making it unavailable to stimulate future algal growth. Furthermore, LMB is a desirable treatment technology because it has been shown to be unaffected by the low redox conditions that are present in Lake Jesup’s highly organic sediments.

Building upon this prior work, this Project is a study of sediment BAP treatment with LMB in Lake Jesup to reduce BAP recycling to the water column and meet the water quality targets established in the TMDL.

II. OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this Project are to:

(a) Assess Lake Jesup sediments for analytically defined forms of P that contribute to perpetuating excess P concentrations in the water column and map the spatial distribution of lake sediments which contribute the most BAP to the water column.

(b) Plan and permit a whole-lake or targeted treatment of Lake Jesup sediments with LMB, as may be appropriate to inactivate sediment-derived BAP.

(c) Treat Lake Jesup sediments with LMB according to the permitted treatment plan.

(d) Monitor and assess the LMB’s treatment results by documenting changes in sediment P fractions.

If additional funding becomes available, the Parties may negotiate additional Work, including associated scope and pricing, at that time.

III. SCOPE OF WORK

As part of the Work and as more thoroughly set forth below, Firm shall produce a complete written strategy (Strategy) that includes a detailed task-based approach for planning, permitting, implementing, monitoring and assessing the success, as appropriate, of a whole-lake or targeted sediment treatment of Lake Jesup using LMB.

Firm shall coordinate with District staff to refine the Strategy’s tasks prior to initiation of each task. Firm shall obtain all required permits and implement sediment treatment for Lake Jesup in accordance with the approved, permitted treatment plan. Follow-up monitoring and assessment shall also be conducted.

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At a minimum, the Strategy must specifically address the tasks and deliverables identified in Section IV titled TASKS AND DELIVERABLES. The Strategy shall also include a listing of staffing, Subcontractors, and other resources that Firm plans to utilize to execute the Strategy. The District reserves the right to reject any portion of the Strategy if it determines staffing, Subcontractors, or other resources are insufficient or lacking necessary expertise. If the District exercises this right, Firm shall submit a revised Strategy with staffing, Subcontractors, or other such resources acceptable to the District.

This Project is funded in whole or in part by a grant from the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The DEP grant agreement (Funding Grant) is included as Attachment B of the Draft Agreement.

Firm shall be responsible for completing all tasks assigned to it, as well as complying with all applicable requirements, obligations, and conditions set forth in Funding Grant, to the same extent as if Firm were a direct party to that Funding Grant.

IV. TASKS AND DELIVERABLES

Task 1 – Pre-Study Activities

1.1 – Sediment Sampling and Treatment Plan Design

(a) Firm shall develop a method to adequately characterize Lake Jesup’s sediments which contribute BAP to the water column. The method shall include necessary surveys, geotechnical evaluations, and environmental assessments, including updated sampling of sediment P fractions to determine total BAP and site-specific LMB dosage(s). Additional benchtop dosage testing may also be proposed to determine correct dosage(s).

(b) A treatment plan (Treatment Plan) will be designed based on the results of the surveys, geotechnical evaluations, and environmental assessments, including sediment characterization. The Treatment Plan shall be reviewed and approved by District staff prior to LMB application commencement.

(c) Firm shall also develop a monitoring plan to monitor sediment P fractions post treatment.

1.2 – Permitting

Firm shall submit all necessary permit documentation and obtain any required local, state, and federal permits for the Project. It is the responsibility of Firm to determine which permits are required pursuant to the Treatment Plan developed in Task 1.1. This may include, but is not limited to, permits such as an Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) and a 404 Dredge & Fill permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). In addition, because Lake Jesup contains sovereign submerged lands (SSL), additional approval from DEP will be required to apply LMB-based products.

Task 1 Deliverables:

(a) A copy of the Lake Jesup Restoration Water Quality Treatment Plan design.

(b) A copy of the monitoring plan to monitor sediment P fractions post treatment.

(c) Copies of any surveys, geotechnical evaluations, environmental assessments, or other documents funded under this Task 1.

(d) A list of all required permits using the Permit List template provided by the District.

Task 2 – Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

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2.1 – QAPP Development.

Firm shall develop a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) in compliance with Attachment B, Funding Grant.

The QAPP must be approved by the District prior to commencement of any monitoring associated with the Project.

The QAPP must specify the sampling procedures, locations, instruments, parameters to be sampled, analytical testing, lab or in situ experiments and Treatment Plan as well as all necessary analytical Quality Assurance documentation. This is required for sampling projects funded by the DEP but is not a reimbursable task.

Task 2 Deliverables:

(a) Draft QAPP submitted in Word format.

(b) Approved Final QAPP submitted in Word or PDF format.

Task 3 - Lake Jesup Water Quality Treatment, Monitoring, and Data Analysis

3.1 – Public Outreach and Education

Firm shall provide a communication plan for providing community outreach and education about the Project, consistent with permitting and Funding Grant requirements. Firm shall conduct community outreach as needed at the District’s direction.

3.2 – Treatment Application

Firm shall apply the LMB sediment treatment according to the Treatment Plan developed in Task 1.1. This will include Firm’s delivery of planned LMB doses. Firm shall post notices at public boat ramps during treatment.

During application of treatment, Firm shall communicate at least daily with the District’s Project Manager.

3.3 – Treatment Monitoring

Firm will perform post-treatment monitoring of sediment P fractions according to the approved and permitted Treatment Plan from Task 1.1 and in accordance with the approved QAPP from Task 2 for three years following the final treatment. At a minimum, sediment phosphorus fractions shall be monitored in the treated area before, during, and 3 years following the treatment.

3.4 – Reporting

Firm shall submit quarterly progress reports. The quarterly progress reports must be submitted timely in accordance with Attachment B (Funding Grant) and include (1) a description of work performed during the reporting period; (2) problems encountered; (3) problem resolutions; (4) schedule updates; and (5) proposed work for the next reporting period.

A final report including sampling results, the Treatment Plan, and details of the treatment application shall also be submitted. The report will include an assessment of the treatment results, including an evaluation of the change in sediment BAP into inert forms of P and the cost per pound of this conversion. All data collected for the Project shall be submitted in well-documented Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.

Task 3 Deliverables:

(a) Quarterly Progress Reports

(b) Final Report summarizing results of study to include:

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1) Education Materials

2) Summary of completed monitoring activities (dates completed, sampling conducted and any not conducted and why).

3) Documentation of total LMB applied.

4) GPS coordinates and site-specific dose of LMB application.

5) Photo and Video documentation of LMB application.

6) Monitoring results with interpretation of those results (as expected or not as expected).

7) Draft laboratory report and sampling logs.

(c) Final laboratory report and sampling logs.

For all tasks: with each invoice, Firm must submit a completed Payment Request Summary for the period of work covered in the payment request using the template provided by the District. Firm may also be required to submit additional documentation to support the payment request as provided by the Funding Grant.

V. BUDGET

Firm shall submit invoices as work is completed on each task, no more frequently than quarterly. Each invoice shall comply with the terms and conditions of the Agreement as well as Attachment B, Funding Grant, and specify the percentage of task completed and the invoice amount shall correspond to those percentages.

The overall budget for the Work herein representing the initial phase of the Project is $15,000,000 and is proposed to run from 2026 through 2030 (which includes the 3-year post-application monitoring). Funding for additional study or restoration work is contingent upon funding availability.

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PART 2 – GENERAL INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS

Thank you for your interest in working with the St. Johns River Water Management District. Please direct questions regarding the submittal documents and specifications to the District’s procurement staff member identified on the first page of this solicitation, in writing. We look forward to working with you. Pertinent information and required documents regarding this solicitation as part of a responsive submittal are listed below.

The District will publish notice of specifications and criteria, including addenda, intended agency decisions, or other matters pertinent to this solicitation on portals identified on the first page of this document.

2.1 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)

The District does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities. Special accommodations for disabilities may be requested through Kendall Siemiatkoski, Contracts Manager, or by calling

(800) 955-8771 (TTY), at least five (5) business days (Mon – Fri) before the date needed.

2.2 PROHIBITED COMMUNICATION

To ensure a fair and impartial evaluation process, the District strictly prohibits any communication related to this solicitation with any District office, department, bureau, or employee during the submission and evaluation period, except as expressly authorized in this solicitation. Respondents are specifically prohibited from initiating any contact or communication with any District official or employee involved in the evaluation or consideration of submittals, including but not limited to the Executive Director and members of the Governing Board of the St. Johns River Water Management District, prior to the issuance of an award decision. All communication regarding this solicitation shall be initiated by the District’s Procurement staff, and solely for the purpose of obtaining information or clarification necessary for the proper evaluation of submittals. Any attempt by a Respondent to engage in unauthorized communication may result in disqualification from consideration for award under this solicitation and may further result in exclusion from future procurement opportunities with the District.

2.3 PRE-SUBMITTAL MEETINGS, INQUIRIES AND ADDENDA

If scheduled, the pre-submittal meeting information will appear on the first page of this solicitation. If the pre-submittal meeting is not designated as mandatory, then attendance at the pre-submittal meeting is strongly recommended. If the pre-submittal meeting is designated as MANDATORY, each Respondent must attend or its submittal will not be accepted.

During this meeting, the project scope, procedures, and specifications will be discussed. It is also the only opportunity during the open solicitation period for attendees to ask questions directly to the end user.

District staff are not authorized to provide oral interpretations or clarifications of the solicitation documents, including specifications or other agreement terms. All binding interpretations or corrections must be provided in writing, come only from Procurement staff, and be issued as part of an official addendum to this solicitation. The assigned Procurement Specialist may provide general guidance on District procedures and assist in referencing applicable sections of the solicitation documents; however, Respondents remain fully responsible for understanding and following all written requirements and submit accordingly.

In order to be considered. all requests for a written interpretation or correction must be submitted via e-mail before the deadline for questions as stated in this solicitation. All official responses, including clarifications, corrections, or supplemental instructions, will be issued in writing via addenda and posted on the solicitation portals listed on Page 1 of this document, prior to the submittal due date.

By submitting on this solicitation, Respondent is bound by and must acknowledge receipt of all issued addenda.

Submittals will be interpreted as if all addenda were received, whether or not Respondent actually reviewed the addenda.

Failure to receive or review an addendum does not relieve Respondent of any obligations under the solicitation or resulting Agreement. All addenda become an official part of the Contract Documents (defined in the Agreement).

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2.4 PREPARATION AND DELIVERY OF SUBMITTAL

a. Respondent’s submittal must be submitted in electronic format (no paper copies) either by uploading to DemandStar directly at www.demandstar.com OR to Central Bidding directly at www.centralbidding.com (NOT BOTH); OR by delivering all files on a single pin/thumb/jump drive either by mail or hand delivery in a sealed envelope.

Label all sealed envelopes as follows:

SEALED SUBMITTAL – DO NOT OPEN

Respondent’s Name: ___________________________________________ Request for Proposals: 42136, Inactivation Of Bio-Available Sediment Phosphorus In Lake Jesup Opening Time: 1:00 PM Opening Date: April 13, 2026

Kendall Siemiatkoski, Contracts Manager St. Johns River Water Management District District Headquarters 4049 Reid Street Palatka, FL 32177

**Please note that the U.S. Postal Service does not deliver regular mail or express mail to the above address.

The District’s experience is that Federal Express and United Parcel Service will. The District is not responsible for and will not accept or consider late submittals due to delays caused by any mail, package or courier service, including the U.S. mail, or caused by any other occurrence.

DO NOT SUBMIT VIA EMAIL — THIS WILL RESULT IN THE SUBMITTAL BEING REJECTED AS NON-

RESPONSIVE.

b. All blank spaces on the solicitation documents must be typewritten or legibly printed in ink. In the event you decline to submit a response, the District would appreciate submittal of the “No Response Form” provided in this solicitation to describe the reason for not submitting a response.

c. Please do not password protect files saved to a pin/thumb/jump drive. The District recommends that Respondents confirm their submittal documents will open correctly on a non-Respondent-owned computer.

Any electronic submittal received by the District that does not open on a District-owned computer is subject to rejection as a defective response. The file naming conventions for the solicitation must clearly identify specific information such as the solicitation number and Respondent’s name (Example: 12345RFP78, ABC Company).

NOTE! A Respondent’s submittal may be rejected as non-responsive for:

(1) Failing to complete all forms.

(2) Failure to provide all required materials; or

(3) Otherwise failing to comply with instructions for preparation and organization of submittal.

2.5 EVALUATION OF SUBMITTALS AND AWARD PROCEDURES

Submittals will be reviewed and evaluated by a staff Evaluation Committee (“Committee”) based on the criteria and weighting outlined in the Section titled SCORING GUIDELINES AND EVALUATION CRITERIA, herein.

A Committee meeting will be scheduled, and notice of the meeting, including the date, time, and location, will be posted at least five (5) days in advance on DemandStar, Central Bidding, MyFloridaMarketPlace and Florida Administrative Register. The Committee will meet at District headquarters or another suitable location to discuss and score the submittals. Each Committee member will complete an evaluation form during the meeting, and the compiled results will be used to determine the overall ranking.

a. Evaluation Process http://www.demandstar.com/ http://www.centralbidding.com/

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(1) The Committee will evaluate and rank the submittals, based upon the established evaluation criteria. If the Committee determines that oral presentations will assist in the evaluation, presentations may be conducted at District headquarters, at another designated location, or remotely, as deemed appropriate by the District.

(2) If the Committee determines that not all Respondents will be asked to make an oral presentation, the Committee will complete an initial evaluation to develop a preliminary ranked list. This list will be used to determine which Respondents will be asked to make an oral presentation.

(3) After oral presentations are completed, the Committee members will conduct a final evaluation and ranking using the same criteria. Scores from the initial evaluation will not be carried over. All Respondents will be notified in writing of the Committee’s final ranking results.

b. Confidentiality of Evaluation Meetings

Under §286.0113, Fla. Stat., certain portions of meetings related to the solicitation process are exempt from public attendance. These include any part of a meeting where (1) a negotiation with a Respondent is conducted pursuant to a competitive solicitation; (2) a Respondent makes an oral presentation as part of a competitive solicitation; (3) a Respondent answers questions as part of a competitive solicitation; or

(4) negotiation strategies are discussed. Recordings and materials from exempt meetings are confidential and exempt from public disclosure under §119.07(1), Fla. Stat., and §24(a), Article I of the Florida Constitution until the District issues a notice of intended decision or until thirty (30) days after the submittal opening, whichever comes first. All exempt portions of Committee meetings must be fully recorded. No portion of the exempt meeting may be held off the record.

c. Rejection and Reissuance Pursuant to §286.0113 Fla. Stat., if the District rejects all submittals and concurrently provides notice of its intent to reissue the competitive solicitation, the recording and any records presented at any exempt meeting shall remain exempt from §119.07(1) Fla. Stat., and §24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution (Public Records) until such time as the District provides notice of an intended decision concerning the reissued competitive solicitation or until the District withdraws the reissued competitive solicitation. A recording and any records presented at an exempt meeting are not exempt for longer than 12 months after the initial District notice rejecting all submittals.

d. Approval of Ranking Once the evaluation process is complete, the Committee’s final ranking will be presented to the Governing Board for approval, unless the Governing Board has delegated authority to the Executive Director or designee to approve and execute the Agreement.

e. Negotiations and Award Negotiations will begin with the highest-ranked Respondent. If negotiations are unsuccessful, the District may end discussions and proceed to the next highest-ranked Respondent, and so on, until an agreement is reached. The Agreement will be awarded to the highest ranked Respondent being the Respondent with the highest total score as reflected on the solicitation tabulation sheet, who demonstrates, in accordance with the requirements of the submittal documents, a verifiable history of the skill, ability, integrity, and reliability necessary for the faithful performance of the Agreement, and that successfully completes negotiations with the District (“Successful Respondent”). The District may include in the Agreement any proposed alternatives determined to be in its best interest.

f. Equal Scores If two or more submittals are equal in all respects, the Agreement will be awarded as follows: (1) to the Respondent that certifies compliance with §287.087, Fla. Stat., via the Drug-Free Workplace Form; (2) to a Respondent university in the State University System pursuant to §373.63, Fla. Stat.; or (3) by lot.

g. Notice of Intent to Award

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All Respondents will be notified of the District's intent to award or decision to award the Agreement. For the purpose of filing a protest under §120.57(3), Fla. Stat., the time period will commence as provided in the Section titled PROTEST PROCEDURES, herein.

h. Reservation of Rights In the event the Successful Respondent fails to enter into the Agreement or the Agreement with said Respondent is terminated within 90 days of the effective date, the District reserves the right to negotiate and award the Agreement to the next highest-ranked Respondent, if available.

i. Notice of Award All Respondents will be notified of the District’s intent to award or decision to award the Agreement. The time period for filing a protest under §120.57(3), Fla. Stat., will begin as provided in Section titled PROTEST PROCEDURES, herein.

2.6 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Respondent must satisfy the following minimum qualifications. Failure to provide documentation to substantiate these qualifications in their submittal. Instructions for providing this documentation is provided in paragraph 2.9 below. Failure to provide required documentation as instructed may result in a submittal being rejected as non-responsive.

a. Similar projects: Respondent or Respondent’s subcontractor(s) must have successfully completed at least two projects of a similar nature (BAP inactivation in aquatic sediments using LMB-based products) within the ten

(10) years immediately preceding the date for receipt of submittals. Each successfully completed project must have covered an area greater than or equal to ten (10) acres. The District reserves right to determine whether a project shall be considered “similar.”

b. Respondent experience: Respondent must have no less than three (3) years of experience on projects of the nature specified above.

c. Application experience: At least one of the Respondent’s staff members or subcontractors assigned to this project, shall possess a minimum of five (5) years of cumulative experience in LMB-based chemical application for the binding of P in natural aquatic systems.

d. Sediment collection experience: At least one of the Respondent’s staff members or subcontractors assigned to this project, shall possess a minimum of three (3) years of experience in sediment collection and analysis for BAP and TP and quality assurance/quality control methodologies.

e. Permitting experience: Respondent or Respondent’s subcontractor(s) must demonstrate experience in obtaining Environmental Resource Permits (ERP) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 404 Dredge & Fill permits. Respondent shall provide at least one example project for both types of permits. These projects do not need to be a LMB-based sediment treatment.

Irrespective of the minimum qualifications stated above, the District may make such investigations as it deems necessary to determine the ability of the Respondent to perform the Work. The District reserves the right to reject any submittal if the evidence submitted by such Respondent and/or the District’s independent investigation of such Respondent fails to satisfy the District that such Respondent is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the Agreement and complete the Work in a manner acceptable to the District within the time period specified.

2.7 SCORING GUIDELINES AND EVALUATION CRITERIA

All submittals received in accordance with this solicitation will be evaluated using the following scoring guidelines (multiplied by weights when applicable) unless other scoring is specifically identified in the category. See section titled SUBMITTAL CONTENTS / ORDER OF DOCUMENTS for more information.

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More than adequate ………….8 – 10 Less than adequate …………1 – 4 Adequate …………………….5 – 7 Not covered in submittal …..0

Failure by Respondent to include the required information may result in the submittal being considered non-responsive or may receive a correspondingly low score pursuant to the evaluation rating scale.

CRITERIA WEIGHT SCORE TOTAL

A. RESPONDENT (INCLUDING SUBCONTRACTORS) ORGANIZATION,

BACKGROUND, AND EXPERTISE

25%

B. QUALIFICATIONS, ABILITIES AND EXPERTISE OF KEY AND

PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL, INCLUDING WILLINGNESS, ABILITY

AND CAPACITY TO DEDICATE QUALIFIED STAFF TO THE

PROJECT

25%

C. TECHNICAL MERIT OF PROPOSAL

30%

D. COST EFFECTIVENESS

The responsive and responsible Respondent who receives the highest Cost Effectiveness Score will receive a raw score of “10.” All other responsive and responsible proposed costs will be scored proportionately. Refer to the Cost Schedule Form for additional information about the calculation of the Cost Effectiveness Score.

20%

TOTAL 100%

*Scores are per Committee member. To gain maximum points, verify that each item above is supported by all necessary and required documentation listed in the tabs below.

Respondent must adhere to the following organized structure for its submittal as described below.

2.8 PROPOSAL SPECIFICATIONS, ASSEMBLY, AND SUBMITTAL

(a) Proposal requirements:

(1) One (1) Original Document – uploaded into DemandStar or Central Bidding as a single .pdf file.

(2) Page Limit – none, if not otherwise specified herein this document.

(3) Page Size – 8 ½ x 11; oversized pages must be scanned to print out to appropriate page sizes, if necessary.

(b) Assembly requirements:

Submitted in order of submittal layout as listed in 2.9, below – documents should be scanned as PDF or similar format as one complete package.

(c) Submittal requirements:

Complete submittal package – Complete package shall consist of all required information and documents as listed in the Section titled SUBMITTAL LAYOUT/ORDER OF DOCUMENTS. A submittal returned without these documents may deem the submittal non-responsive. The District reserves the right to request additional information from any Respondent prior to award.

2.9 SUBMITTAL CONTENTS / ORDER OF DOCUMENTS

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Respondent’s submittal shall be organized in the following manner:

Tab 1 – Introduction and Respondent Information

(a) Cover letter

(b) Completed solicitation page 1 / addenda acknowledgement (form)

(c) Completed Submittal Acknowledgement Form (form)

(d) Completed affidavit of Non-Collusion and Certification of Material Conformance with Specifications (form)

(e) Proof of insurability issued by a company authorized to do business in the State of Florida and with an A.M.

Best Company rating of at least A- or greater for the required insurance(s) as set forth in Attachment D of the Agreement. Successful Respondent will be required to obtain and provide a Certificate of Insurance that meets all requirements as stated, references the Agreement number and shows St. Johns River Water Management District named as additional insured.

(f) Completed Certificate of Authority to Do Business in Florida (form)

(g) Proof of Respondent’s active registration on www.sunbiz.org.

(h) Proof of Respondent’s active registration with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify system.

(i) Completed Drug-Free Workplace Form (form) (will be used only if a tie occurs).

Tab 2 – Respondent / Subcontractor Organization, Background, and Expertise

(a) Completed Qualifications – General (form)

(b) Completed Minimum Qualifications Documentation (form)

(c) Completed Proposed Subcontractors (form)

(d) Provide an organizational chart for Respondent.

(e) Provide a description of Respondent’s (and proposed subcontractors’) experience in developing and applying LMB-based products for the inactivation of BAP from aquatic sediments.

(f) Provide a description of Respondent’s (and proposed subcontractors’) experience in environmental resource permitting and section 404 dredge and fill permitting.

(g) Provide relevant reports or published articles from Respondent (and proposed subcontractors) on the development or utilization of LMB-based products by the Respondent (or proposed subcontractors).

(h) Provide names and contact information of client who have worked with Respondent on similar projects and who will serve as references as to Respondent’s capabilities with respect to this Project. Client reference letters may also be submitted.

(i) Provide a letter from a financial institution with which Respondent has conducted business for at least the last 12 months stating Respondent is in good standing. (Note, this letter should be generic enough to not be considered confidential.)

(j) List any current or past clients, projects, or engagements that may present a potential conflict of interest if Respondent firm is selected to provide services under this solicitation for the District. Include a brief description of the nature of the potential conflict. If no such conflicts exist, please state so explicitly.

Tab 3 – Qualifications, Abilities, and Expertise of Key and Professional Personnel, including Willingness, Ability, and Capacity to Dedicate Qualified Staff to the Project

(a) Provide a list of all proposed key and professional staff proposed for the project. The list must identify a project manager and a manager responsible for the QAPP. In the list, include:

http://www.sunbiz.org/

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(1) Names

(2) Job titles / functions assigned

(3) Special expertise

(4) Status as employee or subcontractor

(5) Amount of time dedicated to the project

(b) Provide brief resumes for all proposed key and professional staff proposed for the project. Resumes should address:

(1) Education

(2) Experience

(3) Professional certifications / licenses

Tab 4 – Technical Merit of Proposal

(a) Provide a proposal for completing the Project as described in Part 1, Scope of Work. The proposal should address:

(1) Proposed project schedule, including key milestones and deliverables;

(2) Project team’s applicable resources and capabilities (e.g., sampling / application equipment, laboratory resources, etc.);

(3) Respondent’s approach to the Project and understanding of the requested services; and

(4) Description of how Respondent will perform quality assurance of the Project.

Tab 5 – Cost Effectiveness

(a) Provide a completed Cost Schedule (form)

2.10 SIGNATURE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

An individual submitting a response to this solicitation must sign their name therein and state their address and the name and address of every other person interested in this solicitation as principal.

If a partnership submits a response to this solicitation, state the name and address of each member of the partnership.

If a corporation or limited liability company submits a response to this solicitation, an authorized agent or officer/member must sign the submittal, subscribing the name of the entity with the individual’s own name and affixing the corporate seal (if applicable). Such agent or officer/member must also provide the name of the state under which the entity is chartered/formed, and the names and business addresses of the officers/members.

All Respondents must submit evidence of registration with the Florida Secretary of State for doing business in the state of Florida.

All Respondents must certify that all persons or entities having an interest as principal in this solicitation or in substantial performance of the Work have been identified in the submittal forms.

2.11 OPENING OF SUBMITTALS

Submittals will be opened on or as reasonably feasible after the due date, after which time a Respondents List will be identified and uploaded to DemandStar, Central Bidding, and MyFloridaMarketPlace; pricing (if applicable) is not part of this detail. The Florida Public Records Act, §119.071(1)(b), Fla. Stat., exempts sealed submittals from inspection and copying until such time as the District provides notice of an intended decision pursuant to §120.57(3)(a), Fla. Stat., or until 30 days after opening of submittals, or final replies, whichever is earlier. This exemption is not waived by the public opening of the submittals.

Unless otherwise exempt, Respondent’s submittal is a public record subject to disclosure upon expiration of the above exemption period. If any information included in the submittal is a trade secret as defined in §812.081, Fla. Stat., and

42136RFP26 | Page 14 of 54 exempt from disclosure pursuant to §815.04, Fla. Stat., Respondent must clearly identify any such material as “CONFIDENTIAL TRADE SECRET” in its submittal and explain the basis for such exemption. The District reserves the right, in its sole judgment and discretion, to reject a submittal for excessive or unwarranted assertion of trade secret confidentiality and return the submittal to Respondent.

2.12 DISQUALIFICATION OF RESPONDENTS

Any of the following causes will be considered as sufficient grounds for disqualification of a Respondent and rejection of the submittal:

(a) Contacting a District employee or officer other than the procurement employee named in this solicitation about any aspect of this solicitation before the notice of intended decision is posted.

(b) Submission of more than one submittal for the same subject matter by an individual, firm, partnership, or corporation under the same or different names.

(c) Evidence of collusion among Respondents.

(d) Submission of materially false information.

(e) Information gained through checking references or other sources which indicates that Respondent may not successfully perform the Work.

(f) Respondent is failing to adequately perform on any existing agreement with the District.

(g) Respondent has defaulted on a previous agreement with the District.

(h) The evidence submitted by Respondent, or the District’s investigation of Respondent, fails to satisfy the District that Respondent is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the Agreement in a manner acceptable to the District and within the time period specified.

(i) Any documented unsatisfactory past performance by Respondent on work performed under a previous Agreement with the District.

(j) Any other cause that is sufficient to raise doubt regarding the ability of a Respondent to perform the Work in a manner that meets the District’s objectives for the Work.

2.13 REJECTION OF SUBMITTAL

Submittals must be delivered to the specified location and received before the designated due date and time in order to be considered. Untimely submittals will be returned to Respondent unopened. Submittals will be considered irregular and may be rejected if they show material omissions, alterations of form, additions not called for, conditions, limitations, or other material irregularities. The District may consider incomplete any submittal not prepared and submitted in accordance with the provisions specified herein and the District reserves the right to waive any minor deviations or irregularities in an otherwise valid submittal.

The District reserves the right to reject any and all submittals and cancel this solicitation when it determines, in its sole judgment and discretion, that it is not in its best interest to award the Agreement.

2.14 WITHDRAWAL OF SUBMITTALS

Respondent may withdraw its submittal if it submits such a written request to the District prior to the designated date and hour of opening. Respondent may be permitted to withdraw its submittal no later than 72 hours after the submittal opening for good cause, as determined by the District in its sole judgment and discretion.

2.15 PROTEST PROCEDURES

Notices of Intended Decision will be posted for a minimum of 72 hours. The time period for filing a Notice of Protest pursuant to §120.57(3), Fla. Stat., and Rule 28-110.003, Fla. Admin. Code commences at the time notices are posted.

As a courtesy to Respondents, the District may send copies of the notices of intended agency decisions via email to Respondent. These courtesy communications neither constitute official notice nor vary the times of receipt set forth above.

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(a) Pursuant to §120.57(3), Fla. Stat., and Rule 28-110.003, Fla. Admin. Code, any person adversely affected by the terms, conditions, or specifications contained in a solicitation, including addenda, must file a Notice of Protest with the District Clerk within 72 hours after its posting.

(b) Pursuant to §120.57(3), Fla. Stat., and Rule 28-110.003, Fla. Admin. Code, any person adversely affected by a District decision or intended decision to award a contract, or to reject all submittals, proposals, or qualifications, must file a written Notice of Protest with the District Clerk within 72 hours after posting of the decision or intended decision.

(c) Pursuant to §120.57(3), Fla. Stat., and Rule 28-110.004, Fla. Admin. Code, a Formal Written Protest must be filed with the District Clerk within ten (10) days after the date the Notice of Protest is filed with the District. The Formal Written Protest must state with particularity the facts and law upon which the protest is based. Pursuant to §287.042(2)(c), Fla. Stat., any person who files an action protesting the decision or intended decision must post with the District Clerk at the time of filing the formal written protest a bond, cashier’s check, or money order made payable to the St. Johns River Water Management District in an amount equal to one percent (1%) of the District’s estimated Agreement amount.

(d) No additional time will be added for mailing. All filings must comply with Rule 28-106.104, Fla. Admin. Code, and must be addressed to and received by the District Clerk at the District Headquarters in Palatka, Florida within the prescribed time periods. The District will not accept any electronically transmitted facsimile pleadings, petitions, Notice of Protest or other documents.

(e) The District’s acceptance of pleadings, petitions, Notice of Protest, Formal Written Protest, or other documents filed by email is subject to certain conditions set forth in the District’s Statement of Agency Organization and Operation (issued pursuant to Rule 28-101.001, Fla. Admin. Code), which is available for viewing at sjrwmd.com. These conditions include, but are not limited to, the document being in the form of a PDF or TIFF file and being capable of being stored and printed by the District.

(f) Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed in §120.57(3), Fla. Stat., or failure to post the bond or other security required by law within the time allowed for filing a bond will constitute a waiver of proceedings under chapter 120, Fla. Stat. Mediation under §120.573, Fla. Stat., is not available.

2.16 EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT

(a) By submitting a response to this solicitation, Respondent represents and warrants that its submittal is a firm offer. Upon the District’s issuance of a notice of award (or other written acceptance), the Successful Respondent is bound to the terms, pricing, and commitments set forth in its submittal, as accepted by the District, together with the District’s solicitation documents.

(b) The Successful Respondent shall execute the District’s Agreement in the form provided (with any District-approved changes) and shall not condition, qualify, or withdraw its submittal, or refuse to sign the Agreement, after award. Failure to timely execute the Agreement and proceed with performance as required may be deemed a breach and may result in rejection of the submittal, cancellation of award, and any other remedies available to the District under the solicitation, the Agreement, or applicable law.

(c) Unless all submittals are rejected, the Successful Respondent must execute and return the Agreement to the District within 10 business days of receipt along with each of the following:

(1) A completed Internal Revenue Service Form W-9.

(2) Satisfactory evidence of all required insurance coverage.

(3) Proof satisfactory to the District of the authority of the person or persons accepting the terms and conditions of this Solicitation on behalf of Respondent.

(4) All other information and documentation required by the Agreement.

(d) The District will not execute the Agreement until the above documents have been executed and delivered to the District. The Agreement will not be binding until executed by the District. A copy of the fully executed Agreement will be sent via e-mail to the Successful Respondent. The District reserves the right to cancel award

42136RFP26 | Page 16 of 54 of the Agreement without liability at any time before the Agreement has been fully executed by all parties and delivered to the Successful Respondent.

(e) Failure upon the part of the Successful Respondent to execute the Agreement or timely submit the required evidence of insurance coverage, or any other matter required by the Agreement, will be just cause, if the District so elects, for the recommended award to be annulled.

2.17 EXAMINATION OF CONTRACT DOCUMENTS

Respondent is solely responsible for being fully informed of the conditions under which the Work is to be performed in relation to existing conditions. Respondent is responsible for carefully examining the general area of the Work, the requirements of the drawings and other contract documents related to the Work, the time in which the Work must be completed, and any other details of the Work. Respondent must satisfy itself from its own personal knowledge and experience or professional advice as to the character of the Work, the conditions and materials to be encountered, the character, quality, and quantities of the Work, and any other conditions affecting the Work, including surrounding land.

Failure to satisfy the obligations of this Section will not relieve a Successful Respondent of its obligation to furnish all material, equipment, and labor necessary to perform the Agreement and to complete the Work for the consideration set forth in its submittal. Any such failure will not be sufficient cause to submit a claim for additional compensation.

No verbal agreement or conversation with any District officer, agent or employee, either before or after the execution of the Agreement, will affect or modify any of its terms.

2.18 FLORIDA SALES TAX

The District is exempt from payment of State of Florida sales tax pursuant to §212.08(6), Fla. Stat. Any tangible personal property that is the subject of this solicitation is intended to remain tangible personal property and not become part of a public work owned by the District.

2.19 PUBLIC ENTITY CRIMES/DISCRIMINATORY VENDORS

In accordance with §287.133 and §287.134, Fla. Stat., a person or affiliate who has been placed on the convicted vendor list following a conviction for a public entity crime or placed on the discriminatory vendor list may not submit a bid, proposal, or reply on an agreement to provide any goods or services to a public entity; may not submit a bid, proposal, or reply on an agreement with a public entity for the construction or repair of a public building or public work; may not submit bids, proposals, or replies on leases of real property to a public entity; may not be awarded or perform work as a contractor, supplier, subcontractor, or consultant under a contract with any public entity; and may not transact business with any public entity in excess of the threshold amount provided in §287.017 for CATEGORY TWO ($35,000) for a period of 36 months following the date of being placed on the convicted or discriminatory vendor lists.

2.20 USE BY OTHER FLORIDA GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES This section does not apply to this solicitation.

2.21 PROHIBITION AGAINST CONSIDERING SOCIAL, POLITICAL, OR IDEOLOGICAL INTERESTS

IN GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING

Notice is hereby provided that pursuant to §287.05701, Fla. Stat., the District (1) will not request documentation of or consider a Respondent’s social, political, or ideological interests when determining if Respondent is a responsible Respondent and (2) may not give preference to a Respondent based on Respondent's social, political, or ideological interests.

2.22 DEFINITIONS

The definitions of capitalized terms used in this solicitation that are not otherwise defined herein can be found in the draft Agreement below.

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PART 3 – FORMS

FORMS INCLUDED WITHIN THIS SOLICITATION

1) Solicitation Cover Page / Addenda Acknowledgement (refer to page 1)

2) Submittal Acknowledgement Form

3) Affidavit of Non-Collusion and Certification of Material Conformance with Specifications

4) Certificate of Authority to Do Business in Florida

5) Drug-Free Workplace Form

6) Qualifications – General Form

7) Qualifications – Minimum Qualifications Documentation Form

8) Proposed Subcontractors

9) Cost Schedule

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SUBMITTAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM

The undersigned, on behalf of Respondent, hereby certifies and declares the following:

Authority to Bind: The individual signing this form is authorized to represent and legally bind Respondent to the terms and conditions of the solicitation and to Respondent’s submittal.

Commitment to Contract: If selected, Respondent agrees to…