Add 1 QA - RFSOQ 2027002.pdf

DEP Solicitation No. 2027002 Addendum No. 1 Page 1 of 6

ADDENDUM No. 1

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

DEP Procurement Section

3800 Commonwealth Boulevard, MS#93 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000

August 4, 2026

Addendum To: DEP Solicitation No. 2027002, entitled “Professional Services for Pensacola Unpaved Roads Project”

The Department hereby answers questions posed by prospective Vendors. This addendum does not need to be returned with the response.

Question Number

Solicitation Section

Solicitation Page Number Question / Answer

1.

Section 4.1 21

Is CEI (Construction Engineering and Inspection) part of the scope of this project?

No.

2. Section 1.3(c) 5 Section 1.3(c) requires "skill or ability... with... stormwater management system design." Stormwater management systems are permitted under the statewide Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) rule (Ch. 62-330, F.A.C.), administered by both DEP and the five Water Management Districts under the same rule. Will the Department accept a Respondent's ERP-related stormwater design experience gained through a Water Management District (e.g., SJRWMD, SFWMD) as satisfying this qualification criterion, given that the regulatory standards are the same statewide, even though the advertisement specifically requests DEP permitting experience?

See Section 1.3 (c).

3. Section 3.3.5 (Tab C) 17 Tab C limits qualifying experience to "the Respondent's office (branch office) that will be directly managing the Project." For firms with remote staff who are administratively assigned to a presenting office but do not work from a single fixed physical location, would that staff's experience count toward the presenting/managing office for Tab C purposes?

As stated in Section 3.3.5, Tab C, qualifying experience is limited to the Respondent's office (branch office) that will be directly managing the Project. Personnel from other branch offices, including remote staff administratively assigned to those offices, should be identified in the appropriate Standard Form 330 for their respective branch office but will not be considered part of the presenting/managing office's qualifications for Tab C purposes.

Addendum No. 1 Page 2 of 6

Question Number

Solicitation Section

Solicitation Page Number Question / Answer

4. Section 3.3.6 (Tab D) 18 Section 3.3.6(a) requires that office locations be identified for key personnel. For remote key personnel, may the Respondent list their assigned/administrative office (i.e., the presenting office managing this Project) rather than a personal or alternate work location?

See response to question no. 3.

5. Section 2.3.3.4 11 The Oral Evaluation Committee considers "location" as an evaluation factor during discussions. Please clarify whether this refers to the firm's registered/mailing address as listed on Form A, physical proximity of any firm office to the project area, or the location of assigned key personnel.

This refers to office location of the project’s assigned key personnel.

6. Section 3.3.1.2 (Tab B, Form C) page 16 Form C requires three (3) Client References for services "the Respondent has provided." May a Respondent submit a reference for a project where the relevant scope of work (e.g., biological/ecological services, geotechnical, or survey) was performed by a proposed subconsultant rather than the prime, or must all three references reflect work performed directly by the Respondent?

See Section 3.3.1.2 - Tab B Required Forms.

7. Section 5.3 / 3.3.1.2 Page 33 /

The RFSOQ and Form C reference three (3) Client References. May a Respondent submit more than three references, or is submission limited to exactly three, with any additional references considered non-responsive or unscored?

See Section 3.3.1.2, the Respondent must complete Form C Client Reference form for three (3) clients. Please do not provide additional references as they will not be scored.

8.

Will all 15 projects be scheduled for completion at the same time with the same schedule?

See Section 4.4 – Consultant Responsibilities, Proposed Project Timeline.

9.

What is the last date of the expected 18-month completion?

See Section 1.4 Anticipated Contract Term & Renewals.

10.

Can a single bound original contain both Volume I and Volume II as long as it’s clearly indicated by tabs? Or must it be two separate bound documents?

See Section 3.3 Response Content Requirements.

11. - - Can a single electronic copy of the response (PDF) contain both Volume I and Volume II? Or must it be two separate PDF documents?

Addendum No. 1 Page 3 of 6

Question Number

Solicitation Section

Solicitation Page Number Question / Answer

See Section 3.3 Response Content Requirements.

12. - - Would the DEP please remove subsection 3 from section 5 of the sample agreement? As design professionals, we do not supply equipment, products or materials like a contractor and this does not apply to our services.

No, this is DEP’s Standard Document, as such it is not subject to change.

13. - - Would the DEP please remove subsection b from section 8 of the sample agreement? The design professional has no control over agencies having jurisdiction and approval of permits may be delayed for reasons beyond the design professional’s control. The design professional should not be liable for damages in these cases.

No, the terms will remain as issued. Please refer to the Draft Contract, Attachment 1 - Standard Terms and Conditions, #19 Remedies.

14. - - Would the DEP please remove subsection a of section 11 in the sample agreement? Retainage applies to contractors and not design professionals.

Please refer to the Draft Contract, Attachment 2 – Special Terms and Conditions, #4 Retainage.

15. - - Would the DEP address problematic language in section 17 of the sample agreement? The indemnity in section 17 does not comply with Florida Statute 725.08 by requiring a defense. Please consider rewording same to conform with the statute and deleting the requirement to “defend”.

See Revised Draft Contract Attachment 1 - Standard Terms and Conditions for Professional Services.

16. - - Would the DEP please redefine the term “Contractor” within Exhibit A -PUR 1000 General Contract Conditions? As design professionals, we provide professional engineering services and not “Products”. Suggested language is as follows: “Contractor” means the person or entity that is a party to the Contract and is providing professional engineering services.”

No, the PUR 1000 General Contract Conditions are standard State of Florida contract terms required by Rule 60A-1.002.

17. - - Within Exhibit A – PUR 1000 General Contract Conditions, section 4 (c) (ii) would the DEP rephrase the last sentence as follows? “The Contractor shall continue to work on any work not terminated, provided Contractor is being paid undisputed amounts due.”

No, the PUR 1000 General Contract Conditions are standard State of Florida contract terms required by Rule 60A-1.002.

Addendum No. 1 Page 4 of 6

Question Number

Solicitation Section

Solicitation Page Number Question / Answer

18. - - Within Exhibit A – PUR 1000 General Contract Conditions, would the DEP please remove the following subsections?

Section 5 (e), 5(f), 5 (g), 5 (h), 5 (i), 5 (j), 5 (k) and 5 (l). These sections all apply to contractors and not design professionals.

No, the PUR 1000 General Contract Conditions are standard State of Florida contract terms required by Rule 60A-1.002.

19. - - Within Exhibit A – PUR 1000 General Contract Conditions, section 8(a) (ii), would the DEP modify the first sentence to read as follows? “Provided Contractor is being paid for undisputed amounts due, the Contractor shall proceed diligently with performance under the Contract pending the final resolution of any dispute or request for relief, claim, appeal, or action arising under the Contract and shall comply with directions to perform from the Customer.”

No, the PUR 1000 General Contract Conditions are standard State of Florida contract terms required by Rule 60A-1.002.

20. - - Within Exhibit A – PUR 1000 General Contract Conditions, section 8(f) we believe that the indemnity provision is not in compliance with FL Statute 725.08 and is unenforceable.

Would DEP please consider rewording same to conform with the statute? Suggested language per FL Statutes 725.08: “The Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Customer, and its officers and employees, from liabilities, damages, losses, and costs, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees, to the extent caused by the negligence, recklessness, or intentionally wrongful conduct of the Contractor and other persons employed or utilized by the Contractor in the performance of the contract.”

No, the PUR 1000 General Contract Conditions are standard State of Florida contract terms required by Rule 60A-1.002 and will remain unchanged.

21. - - Would the DEP please remove and replace all references to “deficiencies” with “Contractor’s errors and omissions” throughout the sample contract? As design professionals we do not provide materials or supplies like a vendor, instead we provide professional services. To require a warranty that there will be no defects related to professional services is requiring perfection, which no one can achieve. We can however warranty that our services will be per the standard of care.

No, the terms will remain as issued.

22. Section 4, Task 2, Subtask 2.2

24 Please clarify the required spatial limits of the Natural Resource Survey at each stream-crossing site. Should the

Addendum No. 1 Page 5 of 6

Question Number

Solicitation Section

Solicitation Page Number Question / Answer survey follow the same “hilltop to hilltop” limits specified for the boundary and topographic survey or be more focused around road-stream crossing? Similarly, what lateral distance beyond the roadway, right-of-way, or proposed construction limits must be evaluated?

The Department has not established specific spatial limits for the Natural Resource Survey (NRS) at each stream-crossing site. The Respondent should use professional judgment and applicable regulatory requirements to determine the appropriate survey limits necessary to complete the required NRS. Further details may be discussed during the negotiation phase of the solicitation.

– Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank –

Addendum No. 1 Page 6 of 6

In accordance with Section 2.6, Addenda/Amendments to the RFP, the Department hereby formally amends the Solicitation and the document listed below. Revisions are indicated in blue with strikethrough for deletions and underlines for additions.

• The following document has been revised and attached separately within the Vendor Information Portal:

Attachment 1 – Standard Terms and Conditions of Attachment 1 – Draft Contract for RFSOQ 2027002

1.9. Timeline of Events

The following schedule will be strictly adhered to in all actions relative to this Solicitation. The Department reserves the right to modify this schedule and will notify participants in the Solicitation by posting an addendum to this Solicitation on VIP. It is the responsibility of the Respondent to check VIP on a regular basis for such updates.

Event Date Time* Location/Method

RFSOQ Advertised 7/7/26 N/A Vendor Information Portal

Questions Due 7/21/26 5:00 PM Email to Procurement Officer

Answers Posted (Anticipated) On or about:

7/28/26 08/04/26

Vendor Information Portal

Responses Due 8/11/26 08/18/26

3:00 PM

Department of Environmental Protection DEP Procurement Section, Room 215 3800 Commonwealth Blvd, MS93 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000

Public Opening 8/12/26

08/19/26 10:00 AM

Teleconference by calling +1 850-629-7330

Phone Conference ID: 944 268 41#

The number will be active 5 minutes before the meeting.

References Contacted Between:

Telephone and/or Email 8/24/26 8/26/26

8/28/26 9/01/26

Publish List of Highest- Ranking Firms Qualified to Participate in Discussions (Short List) and Discussion Information (Anticipated)

On or about:

TBD Vendor Information Portal

Discussions (Anticipated) Between:

Microsoft Teams

TBD TBD

Publish List of Firms Selected to Proceed with Negotiation of Rates (Short List) (Anticipated)

Between:

Vendor Information Portal

TBD TBD

Negotiation of Rates (Anticipated)

Between:

Insert location TBD TBD

Award Date (Anticipated) On or about:

TBD

Vendor Information Portal