Addendum 1 - QA.pdf

Ron DeSantis GOVERNOR

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

ADDENDUM NO. 1

SOLICITATION TYPE: Request for Proposal (RFP)

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 27-RFP-004-KP

SOLICITATION TITLE: FLMCEISR

RESPONSE OPENING DATE: 10/29/2026 @ 3:00 PM

ADDENDUM NUMBER: 1

ADDENDUM PURPOSE: Questions and Answers

ADDENDUM DATE: 10/22/2026

The Department hereby amends RFP No. 27-RFP-004-KP as noted within this Addendum.

For revisions, underlines represent additions and strikethroughs represent deletions. In the event of a conflict between previously released information and the information contained herein, the information herein shall control. The information in this addendum is hereby made part of this solicitation. All other terms and conditions of the RFP remain in effect.

FAILURE TO FILE A PROTEST WITHIN THE TIME PRESCRIBED IN SECTION 120.57(3),

FLORIDA STATUTES, OR FAILURE TO POST THE BOND OR OTHER SECURITY

REQUIRED BY LAW WITHIN THE TIME ALLOWED FOR FILING A BOND SHALL

CONSTITUTE A WAIVER OF PROCEEDINGS UNDER CHAPTER 120, FLORIDA

STATUTES.

Any protest concerning this agency decision or intended decision must be timely filed with the Agency Clerk. Protests may be filed by courier, hand delivery, or U.S. mail at: Agency Clerk, Florida Department of Commerce, Office of the General Counsel, 107 East Madison Street, MSC 110, Caldwell Building, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-4128. Protests may also be filed by fax at (850) 921-3230, or by email at agency.clerk@commerce.fl.gov within the time prescribed in section 120.57(3), Florida Statutes, and Chapter 28-110, Florida Administrative Code (“F.A.C.”). It is the filing party’s responsibility to meet all filing deadlines. The Procurement Officer should be listed and copied in such filings.

The enclosed information has been provided for consideration in the preparation of your response to the above-mentioned solicitation.

This Addendum also includes the following:

mailto:agency.clerk@commerce.fl.gov

10/22/2026

Caldwell Building | 107 E. Madison Street Tallahassee, FL 32399

850.245.7105 | www.FloridaJobs.org | Twitter: @FLACommerce

An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and service are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TTD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.

Question Number

RFP Page Number, Section Number, Subsection

Reference

Question

Answers

1.

The solicitation requires three client references, each reflecting a period of performance of at least three years. The scope of this solicitation, however, requires delivery of all three contract deliverables within 45 days of contract execution. Please confirm whether a reference project of similar scope and complexity, performed over a two-year period and involving the delivery of recurring executive-level strategic plans every 45 days, would be considered acceptable for purposes of demonstrating relevant past performance.

Yes. The Department hereby amends Section B.39 and Attachment A to allow Respondents that do not possess a single engagement of three continuous years to submit references for projects of similar scope and complexity reflecting their longest-tenured relevant client relationships. The formal revisions to the RFP text are set forth in Section II of this Addendum.

2. Will the Department provide a kickoff meeting shortly following contract award? Yes, it will.

3. What Department office will serve as Contract Manager after award? The Office of Military and Defense.

http://www.floridajobs.org/ http://www.twitter/

An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and service are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TTD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.

4. Are there any anticipated restrictions on travel to stakeholder locations? No, there are not.

5. Section B.21 (p. 13); Sections C.5.1–C.5.3 (pp. 30–34)

Section C.5 requires all three deliverables within 45 business days of Contract execution, although Deliverable 3 incorporates Deliverables 1 and 2. Section B.21 states a Contract period ending January 2027. Please provide the due date for each deliverable, confirm whether Commerce review time is excluded from the 45 business days, and confirm the Contract end date.

Commerce review time is excluded from the 45 business days. Ultimate contract end date will be determined following vendor selection, but tentatively this solicitation is to be completed sometime in January, and will likely result in a one time contract, with no renewal anticipated.

6.

Section C.3 (pp. 29–30);

Sections C.5.1(i), C.5.2(h), C.5.3(k) (pp. 31–34)

Please specify the number of review and revision cycles Respondents should assume for each deliverable and Commerce’s anticipated review time per draft.

The Respondent should expect up to two (2) revision cycles per deliverable. Commerce will review and provide feedback or revisions within ten (10) business days following receipt of each formal draft submission. Pursuant to the response to Question 5, Commerce review periods are excluded from the Contractor’s deliverable timeframes.

7. Section B.23 (p. 13);

Attachment B (p. 41)

Please provide the estimated budget or not-to-exceed amount for this effort. If it cannot be disclosed, please confirm whether the anticipated value is above or below the $35,000 threshold in Section B.23.

Vendors are encouraged to submit cost proposals based on the true estimated cost of their labor. The anticipated value is above $35,000.

An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and service are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TTD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.

8. Section C.5.2(a)–(c) (pp. 31– 32)

Please provide: (a) the minimum number of stakeholders or engagement events expected; (b) whether any engagement must be in person and, if so, the number and locations; (c) whether virtual engagement and online surveys are acceptable; and (d) whether Commerce or the FDSC will facilitate access to stakeholders.

“Events” are not expected.

Commerce expects the respondent to contact and engage “military installations and commands, National Guard and Reserve components, defense and aerospace industries, military communities, veterans and veteran-serving organizations, military family organizations, state and local government entities, economic development organizations, educational and research institutions, workforce organizations, and other relevant public and private entities.” The engagements do not have to be in person. Commerce will coordinate with the respondent on which stakeholders it deems important;

however, the respondent is not limited to the provided stakeholders.

9. Section C.5.1(a) and (e) (p. 31) Is the Contractor expected to purchase proprietary or subscription data sets? If so, should those costs be included in the deliverable prices?

No. The contractor is not expected to purchase proprietary or subscription data sets. Any data sources, materials, or research tools the Contractor elects to utilize to fulfill the deliverables must be included within the firm, fixed deliverable pricing submitted on Attachment B.

An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and service are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TTD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.

10. Section B.38.2 (p. 20);

Attachment B (p. 41)

Section B.38.2 refers to providing “rates,” while Attachment B requests a fixed price per deliverable. Please confirm that no labor categories, rates, hours, or cost buildup are required.

Please also confirm whether a separate pricing assumptions page may be included in the Cost Proposal.

Confirmed. In accordance with Section B.38.2 and Attachment B, Respondents must provide a single, firm, fixed price per deliverable.

Labor categories, hourly rates, hours, and cost breakdowns are not required and should not be submitted. Separate pricing assumption sheets or conditioning language will not be considered and may render the Proposal non-responsive.

11.

Section B.6 (p. 6); Section C.12

(p. 35); PO Vendor Core Terms Section I.E.7 (p. 2)

Section B.6 and PO Vendor Core Terms Section I.E.7 reference renewal pricing; Attachment B does not include renewal pricing. Please confirm that no renewals are contemplated and no renewal pricing is required, and that any extension under Section C.12 is for time only.

No renewals are contemplated, no renewal pricing is required, and that any extension under Section C.12 would be for time only.

12. Section B.38 (p. 16); Section B.38.1, Tab 1 (p. 17)

Tab 1 requests “salary” information, while Section B.38 prohibits cost and rate information in the Technical Proposal.

Given that this is a fixed-price, deliverable-based procurement, please confirm that salary information is not required.

Confirmed. Salary, wage, and rate information is not required and must NOT be included in the Technical Proposal. The inclusion of salary or financial data in the Technical Proposal violates Section B.38. The reference to “salary” in Section B.38.1, Tab 1 (page 17) is an administrative error and is deleted pursuant to Section II of this Addendum.

13. Section B.51 (p. 26); Section B.38 (p. 16)

Section B.51 directs that Value-Added Services costs be included in the Technical Proposal, while Section B.38 prohibits cost information in the Technical Proposal. Please clarify where such costs should be presented.

Per Section B.51, Value-Added Services must be provided at no additional cost to the Department.

Descriptions of any proposed value-added or innovative services may

An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and service are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TTD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.

be included in the Technical Proposal; however, no pricing, rates, or cost amounts may appear anywhere within the Technical Proposal. Any optional cost proposals for value-added services beyond the core scope must be packaged strictly within the sealed Cost Proposal package.

14.

PO Vendor Core Terms Sections I.N.4 and I.R (pp. 15, 18); Attachment G (p. 47)

Please confirm whether Section I.N.4 applies to standard commercial tools (e.g., survey, virtual meeting, transcription, and office productivity software) and whether such providers must be listed on Attachment G.

No. Section I.N.4 and Attachment G apply to subcontractors providing professional, consulting, research, or operational services under the resulting Contract. Standard commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software, subscriptions, and tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, survey tools, video conferencing platforms) utilized in the ordinary course of business are not considered subcontractors and do not need to be listed on Attachment G, provided that no confidential or state-owned protected data is disclosed to unauthorized third-party providers.

An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and service are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TTD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.

15. Section C.10 (p. 35) Please confirm that no on-site presence in Tallahassee or at Commerce facilities is required. If required, please specify the frequency and location.

No on-site presence in Tallahassee or at Commerce facilities is required.

16. Section B.20 (p. 13); Section B.43 (p. 24)

Please confirm that all three deliverables will be awarded to a single Respondent.

Confirmed. Commerce intends to award a single Contract covering all three deliverables to the responsible and responsive Respondent whose proposal is determined to be the most advantageous to the State.

However, Commerce maintains the reservation of rights set forth in Sections B.20 and B.43 to award multiple contracts if determined to be in the best interest of the State.

17. Section B.35 (pp. 15–16)

Please clarify how the Most Favored State provision and Preferred Pricing Affidavit apply to this fixed-price contract, including the meaning of “reimbursable items and events.”

Please also provide a copy of the Preferred Pricing Affidavit.

Section B.35 and the Preferred Pricing Affidavit requirement are mandated by section 216.0113, Florida Statutes. For this fixed-price contract, the Contractor certifies that the deliverable prices offered to Commerce are equal to or better than prices or rates offered to any other state agency for comparable scope and contractual services. The Preferred Pricing Affidavit is executed upon contract award; a sample form is available upon

An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and service are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TTD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.

request and is routinely executed upon final contract execution.

18. Section C.18 (p. 37) Please confirm whether the confidentiality requirements of s.

443.1715, F.S., and 20 C.F.R. Part 603, and the screening requirements of Section C.18, apply to this contract.

The statutory confidentiality provisions of section 443.1715, F.S., and 20 C.F.R. Part 603 apply only to the extent that the Contractor accesses confidential Reemployment Assistance or workforce data, which is not anticipated for this project.

However, the general confidentiality, public records, and background screening requirements set forth in Section C.18 and Florida law remain fully applicable to all Contractor personnel performing work under the Contract.

19. Section C.5.2(b)–(c) (pp. 31– 32)

Will Commerce provide existing stakeholder lists and available contact information for the military, defense, veteran, government, industry, and other organizations identified for engagement?

Commerce will provide existing stakeholder lists and available contact information for the military, defense, veteran, government, industry, and other organizations identified for engagement. Note, Commerce is not assuming exclusive responsibility for identifying stakeholders. Tab 3 on page 18 states that the respondent must

An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and service are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TTD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.

provide their, “Approach for identifying and engaging stakeholders and incorporating their input into the project’s findings and recommendations.”

20. Sections C.5.1–C.5.2 (pp. 30– 32)

Has Commerce or another state entity commissioned a comparable military and defense issues assessment or stakeholder engagement study previously? If so, please identify the prior contract or project, including vendor and contract value, if available.

Commerce has not commissioned a comparable military and defense issues assessment or stakeholder engagement study previously. It is not aware of any other state entity commissioning a similar report.

21. Sections C.5.1–C.5.3 (pp. 30– 34)

If comparable research or stakeholder engagement has previously been conducted, will the selected Contractor be given access to existing reports, underlying research, stakeholder findings, and related materials?

Commerce is not aware of previous comparable research or stakeholder engagement activities.

22. Sections C.5.1–C.5.3 (pp. 30– 34); Section B.38 (p. 16)

Does Commerce have a policy or contractual restriction governing the use of artificial intelligence, including AI-enabled features embedded in standard commercial software (such as office productivity, survey, transcription, research, and analytics tools)? If so, please identify applicable requirements, restrictions, approval processes, or disclosure obligations for Respondents and the selected Contractor.

Commerce does not prohibit the internal use of AI-assisted productivity or research tools by the Contractor, provided that: (1) no confidential, exempt, or non-public State information is input into unvetted or public generative AI systems; (2) the Contractor remains solely responsible for the factual accuracy, citations, integrity, and quality of all deliverables; and (3) all deliverables comply with the intellectual property, copyright, and work-for-hire provisions set forth in Section

An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and service are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TTD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.

C.20 of the RFP.

23. Page 18, B.38.1 Technical Proposal Format

Does the 15-page limit include the resumes, or may we include them in an Appendix?

Resumes may be included in an Appendix (or within Tab 2) and will NOT count against the 15-page limit for the Technical Proposal. The 15-page limit applies strictly to the narrative responses for Tabs 1 through 4.

24. Page 13, B.21 Can you please clarify how the 30-day required delivery period mentions in this section aligns with the 45-business day period outlined in Section C.5 (Deliverable No. 1 and No. 2).

Section B.21 requires the Contractor to commence performance and assume contractual responsibilities within thirty (30) calendar days of execution. Deliverables 1 and 2 are due within forty-five (45) business days of contract execution. Draft Deliverable 3 must be submitted within fifteen (15) business days following Commerce's written approval of Deliverables 1 and 2.

Agency review time is excluded from contractor performance days.

25. Page 28, C.1 Can you please clarify whether the Florida Military Current and Emerging Issues Summary Report will be made publicly available to third parties?

Commerce is commissioning this Report to inform internal executive transition planning and does not plan to proactively publish or widely distribute the final document. However, all materials, drafts, and deliverables received or produced under the resulting Contract are public records subject to inspection and copying pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and service are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TTD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.

and Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution, unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

26. Page 28, C.1 Can you please clarify whether the Florida Military Current and Emerging Issues Summary Report will be Contractor-branded or Commerce-branded?

It will be FloridaCommerce branded; however, the final document may have a note stating it was prepared by the vendor.

27. Page 31, C.5 Will Commerce be able to provide a list of existing state initiatives for Contractor to identify gaps, challenges, duplications, and opportunities?

Yes, Commerce will provide them to the selected vendor.

28. Page 31, C.5

The section mentions developing findings and recommendations to information the content and organization of the Florida Military Current and Emerging Issues Summary Report; does Commerce seek recommendations for focuses of the report, content of the report, or other details?

Commerce seeks recommendations for the focuses of the final report.

29. Page 32, C.5 Can Commerce please clarify which stakeholders it requests the Contractor to work with for this project? Can Commerce please clarify how many stakeholders may be involved?

Commerce expects the respondent to contact and engage “military installations and commands, National Guard and Reserve components, defense and aerospace industries, military communities, veterans and veteran-serving organizations, military family organizations, state and local government entities, An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and service are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TTD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.

economic development organizations, educational and research institutions, workforce organizations, and other relevant public and private entities.”

Commerce is not assuming exclusive responsibility for identifying stakeholders. Tab 3 on page 18 states that the respondent must provide their, “Approach for identifying and engaging stakeholders and incorporating their input into the project’s findings and recommendations.”

30. Page 32, C.5 Will Commerce assume responsibility for connecting Contractor with the identified stakeholders, or will the Contractor be responsible for scheduling with stakeholders?

Commerce will coordinate with the respondent on which stakeholders it deems important; however, the respondent is not limited to the provided stakeholders. The Contractor will be responsible for scheduling with stakeholders.

31. Page 32, C.5

This section mentions possibly surveying stakeholders or conducting listening sessions or workshops. Can Commerce please clarify the number of such surveys or listening sessions, or does Commerce prefer for Contractor to recommend a number of such surveys or sessions?

Commerce prefers the Contractor recommend a number of surveys or sessions.

32. Page 32, C.5 Can Commerce please clarify which state leaders are the intended audience for the Florida Military Current and Emerging Issues Summary Report?

The Secretary of Commerce and the Adjutant General of Florida’s National Guard.

An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and service are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TTD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.

33. Page 41, ATTACHMENT B Does Commerce have a budget requirement or limitation for this study?

The Department maintains an internal budget allocation for this project; however, there is no published ceiling. Cost proposals will be scored objectively using the mathematical formula in Section B.42 and Attachment I.

Respondents should propose their most competitive, true fixed price for each deliverable.

34. Page 41, ATTACHMENT B If Contractor proposes value-added activities or deliverables in scope of the project, should the Contractor itemize these activities or deliverables separately in Attachment B?

No. Attachment B is a standardized form and must NOT be altered or expanded. Respondents must provide pricing only for Deliverables 1, 2, and 3 as formatted. Any additional value-added services offered must either be at no additional cost per Section B.51 or itemized on a separate, clearly labeled “Optional Value- Added Pricing Sheet” enclosed strictly within the sealed Cost Proposal package. Only the Grand Total of Deliverables 1–3 on Attachment B will be used for cost evaluation and scoring.