8-Selection Comm Minutes-Exotics 8-18-25.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS –

Native Habitat Restoration Project on Monroe County Conservation Lands

SELECTION COMMITTEE MEETING

August 18, 2025 Meeting Minutes

The selection committee for Monroe County’s RFP “Native Habitat Restoration Project on Monroe County Conservation Lands” met on Monday, August 18, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. at the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida. The meeting was made available to members of the public via Zoom. The following committee members were present: Beth Bergh, Monroe County Land Steward; Mark

Rosch, Sr. Property Acquisition Specialist of the Monroe County Land Authority; and

Mike Roberts, Asst Director, Monroe County Environmental Resources. No members of the public were in attendance.

The selection committee reviewed the responses received for the RFP.

The three responses received included the following prices:

Blue Native of the

Florida Keys

Conch Tree and

Landscape, Inc EarthBalance Corporation

Total

Bid

Price

$120,322.73 $83,103.00 $243,950.00

In accordance with the RFP, the total bid price was only one of six factors considered by the selection committee and accounted for 25 points out of a total of 59 possible points used in the evaluation process.

The committee evaluated each proposal based on the criteria listed in the RFP, which included: general company information; experience with similar projects; ability to complete project within timeframe; cost; and project approach. Four points for “Local

Preference” were awarded to Conch Tree and Landscape. Blue Native submitted the local preference form using a local business address, however they were not awarded points due to the fact that their principal business address on the Sunbiz.org website

(State of Florida’s Division of Corporations) is a Homestead, FL address. EarthBalance did not claim local preference.

It was noted that Blue Native’s submittal was lacking a lot of the information that was requested, specifically items listed in the RFP under Tabs 2 & 5. Additionally, the

EarthBalance response included references to a previous County RFP for exotic removal work which may have affected the price they bid for the project as they included references to work outside the scope of the current project. The Conch Tree response was missing the County’s Drug Free Workplace form.

After discussion, each committee member, working independently, scored the three responses and a final tally was calculated. The final ranking was: 1. Conch Tree and

Landscape.; 2. EarthBalance Corp; and 3. Blue Native of the Florida Keys.

The selection committee unanimously agreed that Conch Tree and Landscape should be recommended to the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners as the selected contractor for this project, contingent upon their submittal of the Drug Free Workplace form. The committee was willing to recommend waiving this minor irregularity once the form has been received. Additionally, the selection committee agreed that if a contract could not be negotiated with Conch Tree then the County should re-bid the project due to the price difference between the first and second ranked proposals.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 10 a.m.

Minutes prepared by: ___Beth Bergh_______ Beth Bergh

Monroe County Land Steward