Okaloosa_County_Offshore_Artificial_Reef_Construction_Project_2026-Large_&_Small_Prefabricated_Modules.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL RFP TDD 50-26

OKALOOSA COUNTY OFFSHORE ARTIFICIAL REEF CONSTRUCTION

PROJECT 2026-LARGE & SMALL PREFABRICATED MODULES

ISSUE DATE: Thursday, May 7, 2026

LAST DAY FOR QUESTION: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 3:00 pm

OPENING DATE & TIME: Friday, May 29, 2026 at 3:00 pm.

NOTE: PROPOSALS RECEIVED AFTER THE RESPONSE OPENING DATE & TIME WILL NOT

BE CONSIDERED

Okaloosa County, Florida solicits your company to submit a response on the above referenced goods or services.

All terms, specifications and conditions set forth in this solicitation are incorporated into your response. A response will not be accepted unless all conditions have been met. All responses must have an authorized signature in the space provided below. All responses must be submitted electronically by the time and date listed above.

Responses may not be withdrawn for a period of ninety (90) days after the response opening unless otherwise specified.

Okaloosa County Offshore Artificial Reef Construction Project 2026-Large & Small Prefabricated Modules

NOTICE

RFP

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Notice is hereby given that the Board of County Commissioners of Okaloosa County, FL, will accept sealed proposals until 3:00 pm on Friday, May 29, 2026 for the Okaloosa County Offshore Artificial Reef

Construction Project 2026-Large & Small Prefabricated Modules. Interested respondents desiring consideration shall submit their response online at OpenGov through the link provided below:

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/myokaloosa

Unless otherwise stipulated in the proposal description, all responses must be submitted using OpenGov only. No other means of submission of responses will be accepted. Responses will be accepted by OpenGov until 3:00 pm at which time all timely submitted responses will be opened and reviewed.

There will be a Mandatory Pre-Proposal meeting at 10:00 am on Monday, May 18, 2026 located at Mandatory

Pre Proposal Meeting will be held by Zoom Conference. Please email CeCelia VandenBroeck

"cvandenbroeck@myokaloosa.com" for link..

The County reserves the right to award to the highest ranked, responsive respondent(s) and to waive any irregularity or technicality in responses received. Okaloosa County shall be the sole judge of the responses and the resulting Agreement(s) that is in its best interest, and its decision shall be final.

For solicitation information, please contact:

CeCelia VandenBroeck Purchasing Agent I cvandenbroeck@myokaloosa.com

(850) 689-5960

DeRita Mason Purchasing Manager

OKALOOSA COUNTY

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

PAUL MIXON, CHAIRMAN

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/myokaloosa

Okaloosa County Offshore Artificial Reef Construction Project 2026-Large & Small Prefabricated Modules

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Board of County Commissioners of Okaloosa County, FL, are seeking proposals for the Okaloosa County

Offshore Artificial Reef Construction Project 2026-Large and Small Prefabricated Modules. The County reserves the right to award the RFP to the top-ranked respondent and to waive any irregularity or technicality in responses received. Okaloosa County shall be the sole judge of the RFP and the resulting Agreement that is in its best interest, and its decision shall be final.

PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE (ANTICIPATED)

RFP Advertised & Posted on Website: May 7, 2026

Pre-Proposal Meeting (Mandatory): May 18, 2026, 10:00am

Mandatory Pre Proposal Meeting will be held by Zoom Conference. Please email

CeCelia VandenBroeck

"cvandenbroeck@myokaloosa.com" for link.

Deadline for Questions: May 20, 2026, 3:00pm

RFP Response Due Date: May 29, 2026, 3:00pm

Review Committee Meeting: June 9, 2026

Oral Presentations *if needed: Week of 06/15/2026 mailto:cvandenbroeck@myokaloosa.com

Okaloosa County Offshore Artificial Reef Construction Project 2026-Large & Small Prefabricated Modules

GENERAL CONDITIONS

ADDENDUM

Except as provided in this section, respondents are prohibited from contacting or lobbying the County, County

Administrator, Commissioners, County staff, and Review Committee members, or any other person authorized on behalf of the County related or involved with the solicitation. All inquiries on the scope of work, specifications, additional requirements, attachments, terms and general conditions or instructions, or any issue must be directed via OpenGov.

All questions or inquiries must be received no later than Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 3:00 pm. Any addenda or other modification to the solicitation will be issued by the County five (5) days prior to the date and time of closing, as a written addenda distributed to all prospective Respondents by posting to the County's OpenGov portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/myokaloosa/projects/264017.

PREPARATION OF RESPONSES

All response forms are included with the proposal documents. Additional copies may be obtained from the

County. The respondent shall submit originals and bid forms in accordance with the public notice.

All blanks in the documents shall be completed electronically in both words and numbers with the amounts extended, totaled and the proposal signed. A proposal price shall be indicated for each section, proposal item, alternative, adjustment unit price item, and unit price item listed therein, or the words “No Proposal”, “No

Change”, or “Not Applicable” entered. No changes shall be made to the phraseology of the form or in the items mentioned therein. In case of any discrepancy between the written amount and the numeric figures, the written amount shall govern. Any proposal which contains any omissions, erasures, alterations, additions, irregularities of any kind, or items not called for which shall in any manner fail to conform to the conditions of public notice inviting proposals may be rejected.

A response submitted by a corporation shall be executed in the corporate name by the president or a vice president or other corporate officer who has legal authority to sign.

A response submitted by a partnership shall be executed in the partnership name and signed by a partner (whose title must appear under the signature). The official address of the partnership shall be shown below the signature.

A response submitted by a limited liability company shall be executed in the name of the firm by a member and accompanied by evidence of authority to sign. The state of formation of the firm and the official address of the firm must be shown below the signature.

A response submitted by an individual shall show the respondent’s name and official address.

A response submitted by a joint venture shall be executed by each joint venture in the manner indicated on the response form. The official address of the joint venture must be shown below the signature.

All signatures shall be submitted electronically - All names shall be typed or printed below the signature.

The response shall contain an electronic acknowledgement of receipt of all Addenda.

The address and telephone number for communications regarding the proposal shall be listed in the vendor's profile.

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/myokaloosa/projects/264017

Okaloosa County Offshore Artificial Reef Construction Project 2026-Large & Small Prefabricated Modules

If the respondent is an out-of-state corporation, the response shall contain evidence of respondent’s authority and qualification to do business as an out-of-state corporation in the State of Florida in accordance with Article

3. A state contractor license # for the State of Florida shall also be included on the proposal form. Respondent shall be licensed in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 489, Florida Statutes.

INTEGRITY OF SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS

Respondents shall use the original Solicitation documents provided by the Purchasing Department and enter information only in the spaces where a response is requested. Respondents may use an attachment as an addendum to the Proposal documents if sufficient space is not available. Any modifications or alterations to the original proposal documents by the respondent, whether intentional or otherwise, will constitute grounds for rejection of a proposal. Any such modifications or alterations that a respondent wishes to propose must be clearly stated in the respondent’s response in the form of an addendum to the original proposal documents.

SUBMITTAL OF RESPONSE

All responses shall be submitted electronically no later than Friday, May 29, 2026 at 3:00 pm. All documents should be uploaded in the Vendor Questionnaire Section of this solicitation. The responses submitted should be one (1) completed document, unless otherwise specified within the document.

MODIFICATION & WITHDRAWAL OF RESPONSE

A response may be modified or withdrawn in the County's OpenGov portal prior to the date and time for the opening of responses.

If within 24 hours after responses are opened any respondent files a duly signed written notice with the County and promptly thereafter demonstrates to the reasonable satisfaction of the County that there was a material substantial mistake in the preparation of its response, that respondent may withdraw its response, and the response security may be returned. Thereafter, if the work is re-response, that respondent will be disqualified from

A. further purposing on the work, and

B. doing any work on the contract, either as a subcontractor or in any other capacity.

RESPONSES TO REMAIN SUBJECT TO ACCEPTANCE

All responses will remain subject to acceptance or rejection for ninety (90) calendar days after the day of the response opening, but the County may, in its sole discretion, release any response and return the proposal security/bid bond prior to the end of this period.

IDENTICAL TIE BIDS

In cases of identical procurement responses, the award shall be determined either by lot or on the basis of factors deemed to serve the best interest of the County. In the case of the latter, there must be adequate documentation to support such a decision.

CONDITIONAL & INCOMPLETE RESPONSES

Okaloosa County specifically reserves the right to reject any conditional response and responses which make it impossible to determine the true amount of the response.

Okaloosa County Offshore Artificial Reef Construction Project 2026-Large & Small Prefabricated Modules

CONTRACT FOR SERVICES

A copy of the County’s standard agreement for professional services such as the ones being procured herein is attached to this procurement. The selected respondent will be required to enter into the County’s standard agreement. It is the responsibility of the Respondent to raise any objections to the terms and conditions of the standard agreement at the time of submitting its response to this solicitation. Failure to do so will be considered a waiver of respondent’s right to raise it later in the process or during negotiations. In the evaluation and negotiation processes the County has the right in its sole discretion to consider any objections raised by

Respondent as part of the determination of most responsible and responsive proposer.

ADDITION/DELETION OF ITEM

The County reserves the right to add or delete any item from this solicitation or resulting contract when deemed to be in the County’s best interest.

APPLICABLE LAWS & REGULATIONS

All applicable Federal and State laws, County and municipal ordinances, orders, rules and regulations of all authorities having jurisdiction over the projects and services shall apply to the solicitation throughout, and they will be deemed to be included in the contract the same as though they were written in full therein. Further, from time to time the County may be eligible to obtain State of Federal grant funding for some of the services provided hereunder the requirements of the grants will be applicable to the services rendered.

DISQUALIFICATION OF RESPONDENTS

Any of the following reasons may be considered as sufficient for the disqualification of a respondent and the rejection of its response:

A. Submission of more than one response for the same work from an individual, firm, agency, or corporation under the same or different name.

B. Evidence that the respondent has a financial interest in the firm of another respondent for the same work.

C. Evidence of collusion among respondents. Participants in such collusion will receive no recognition as respondents for any future work of the County until such participant has been reinstated as a qualified respondent.

D. Uncompleted work which in the judgment of the County might hinder or prevent the prompt completion of additional work if awarded.

E. Failure to pay or satisfactorily settle all bills due for labor and material on former contracts in force at the time of advertisement of responses.

F. Default under previous contract.

G. Listing of the respondent by the Federal Government on its barred/suspended vendor list.

AWARD OF CONTRACT

Okaloosa County Offshore Artificial Reef Construction Project 2026-Large & Small Prefabricated Modules

Okaloosa County Review - Okaloosa County appointed selection committee, shall review all responses and will participate in the recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners. The Board of County

Commissioners shall make final determination on any award of Contract.

The contract shall be awarded to the responsible and responsive respondent(s) whose proposal is determined to be the most advantageous to the County, taking into consideration the price and other criteria set forth in the request for proposals. The County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals or to waive any irregularity or technicality in proposals received. The County shall be the sole judge of the proposal and the resulting negotiated agreement that is in its best interest and its decision shall be final.

Okaloosa County reserves the right to waive any informalities or reject any and all proposals, in whole or part, to utilize any applicable state contracts in lieu of or in addition to this proposal and to accept the proposal that in its judgment will best serve the interest of the County.

Okaloosa County specifically reserves the right to reject any conditional proposals and proposals which make it impossible to determine the true amount of the proposal.

AWARD OF CONTRACT

Okaloosa County Review - Okaloosa County designated Staff will review all bids and will participate in the

Recommendation to Award.

The County will award the bid to the responsive and responsible vendor(s) with the lowest responsive bid(s), and the County reserves the right to award the bid to the respondent submitting a responsive bid with a resulting negotiated agreement which is most advantageous and in the best interest of the County, and to reject any and all bids or to waive any irregularity or technicality in bids received. Okaloosa County shall be the sole judge of the bid and the resulting negotiated agreement that is in its best interest and its decision shall be final. The

County reserves the right to award to multiple vendors.

Okaloosa County reserves the right to waive any informalities or reject any and all bids, in whole or part, to utilize any applicable state contracts in lieu of or in addition to this bid and to accept the bid that in its judgment will best serve the interest of the County.

Okaloosa County specifically reserves the right to reject any conditional bids and will normally reject those which made it impossible to determine the true amount of the bid. Each item must be bid separately and no attempt is to be made to tie any item or items to any other item or items.

PAYMENTS

The respondent shall be paid upon submission of invoices and approval of acceptance by Okaloosa County

Board of County Commissioners, Finance Office, 101 E James Lee Blvd, Rm 108 Crestview, FL 32536, for the prices stipulated herein for services rendered. All invoices must show the Contract #. Invoices for fees or other compensation must be submitted in sufficient detail to demonstrate compliance with the terms of this procurement and resulting contract.

DISCRIMINATION

An entity or affiliate who has been placed on the discriminatory vendor list may not submit a response on a contract to provide goods or services to a public entity, may not submit a proposal on a contract with a public entity for the construction or repair of a public building or public work, may not submit responses on leases of

Okaloosa County Offshore Artificial Reef Construction Project 2026-Large & Small Prefabricated Modules real property to a public entity, may not award or perform work as a contractor, supplier, subcontractor, or consultant under contract with any public entity, and may not transact business with any public entity.

PUBLIC ENTITY CRIME INFORMATION

Pursuant to Florida Statute 287.133, a respondent 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 s. 287.017 for CATEGORY TWO for a period of 36 months following the date of being placed on the convicted vendor list.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The award hereunder is subject to the provisions of Chapter 112, Florida Statutes. All respondents must disclose with their responses the name of any officer, director, or agent who is also a public officer or an employee of the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners, or any of its agencies. Furthermore, all respondents must disclose the name of any County officer or employee who owns, directly or indirectly, an interest of five percent (5%) or more in the firm or any of its branches.

Note: For respondent's convenience, this certification form is available in the Vendor Questionnaire

Section of this solicitation.

RECYCLED CONTENT INFORMATION

In support of the Florida Waste Management Law, respondents are encouraged to supply with their response any information available regarding recycled material content in the products response. The County is particularly interested in the type of recycled material used (such as paper, plastic, glass, metal, etc.) and the percentage of recycled material contained in the product. The County also requests information regarding any known or potential material content in the product that may be extracted and recycled after the product has served its intended purpose.

Note: For respondent's convenience, this certification form is available in the Vendor Questionnaire

Section of this solicitation.

REORGANIZATION OR BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS

Responses will not be considered from respondents who are currently involved in official financial reorganization or bankruptcy proceedings.

INVESTIGATION OF RESPONDENT

The County may make such investigations, as it deems necessary to determine the stability of the respondent to perform the work and that there is no conflict of interest as it relates to the project. The respondent shall furnish to the Owner any additional information and financial data for this purpose as the County may request.

CONE OF SILENCE

The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners has established a solicitation silence policy (Cone of

Silence Clause) that prohibits oral and written communication regarding all formal solicitations for goods and services (formal bids, Request for Proposals, Requests for Qualifications) issued by the Board through the

County Purchasing Department. The period commences from the date of advertisement until award of contract.

All communications shall be directed to the Purchasing Department.

Okaloosa County Offshore Artificial Reef Construction Project 2026-Large & Small Prefabricated Modules

Note: For respondent's convenience, this certification form is available in the Vendor Questionnaire

Section of this solicitation.

COMPLIANCE WITH FLORIDA STATUTE 119.0701

The Respondent shall comply with all the provisions of section 119.0701, Florida Statutes relating to the public records which requires, among other things, that the Respondent:

A. Keep and maintain public records;

B. Provide the public with access to public records on the same terms and conditions that the public agency would provide the records;

C. ensure that public records that are exempt or confidential and exempt from public records disclosure requirements are not disclosed except as authorized by law; and

D. Meet all requirements for retaining public records and transfer, at no cost, to the public agency all public records in possession of the respondent upon termination of the contract.

PROTECTION OF RESIDENT WORKERS

The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners actively supports the Immigration and Nationality Act

(INA) which includes provisions addressing employment eligibility, employment verifications, and nondiscrimination. Under the INA, employers may hire only persons who may legally work in the United

States (i.e., citizens and nationals of the U.S.) and aliens authorized to work in the U.S. The employer must verify the identity and employment eligibility of anyone to be hired, which includes completing the

Employment Eligibility Verifications. The respondent shall establish appropriate procedures and controls so no services or products under the Contract Documents will be performed or manufactured by any worker who is not legally eligible to perform such services or employment. Okaloosa County reserves the right to request documentation showing compliance with the requirements.

Respondents doing construction business with Okaloosa County are required to use the Federal Government

Department of Homeland Security’s website and use the E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verifications System to confirm eligibility of all employees to work in the United States.

SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE

The County may, at any time, without cause, order Respondent in writing to suspend, delay or interrupt the work in whole or in part for such period of time as the County may determine, or to terminate all or a portion of the Contract for the County’s convenience. Upon such termination, the Contract Price earned to the date of termination shall be paid to Respondent, but Respondent waives any claim for damages, including loss of profits arising out of or related to the early termination. Those Contract provisions which by their nature survive final acceptance shall remain in full force and effect. If the County orders a suspension, the Contract price and Contract time may be adjusted for increases in the cost and time caused by suspension, delay or interruption. No adjustment shall be made to the extent that performance is, was or would have been so suspended, delayed or interrupted by reason for which Respondent is responsible; or that an equitable adjustment is made or denied under another provision of this Contract.

FAILURE OF PERFORMANCE/DELIVERY

Okaloosa County Offshore Artificial Reef Construction Project 2026-Large & Small Prefabricated Modules

In case of default by the respondent, the County after due notice (oral or written) may procure the necessary supplies or services from other sources and hold the respondent responsible for difference in cost incurred. Continuous instances of default shall result in cancellation of the contract and removal of the respondent from the proposal list for duration of one (1) year, at the option of the County.

AUDIT

If requested, respondent shall permit the County or an authorized, independent audit agency to inspect all data and records of respondent relating to its performance and its subcontracts under this contract from the date of the contract through three (3) years after the expiration of contract.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY; NON-DISCRIMINATION

Respondent will not discriminate against any employee or an applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, familial status or handicap.

NON-COLLUSION

Respondent certifies that it has entered into no agreement to commit a fraudulent, deceitful, unlawful or wrongful act, or any act which may result in an unfair advantage over other respondents. See Florida Statute

838.22.

UNAUTHORIZED ALIENS/PATRIOT’S ACT

The knowing employment by respondent or its subcontractors of any alien not authorized to work by the immigration laws is prohibited and shall be a default of the contract. In the event that the respondent is notified or becomes aware of such default, the respondent shall take steps as are necessary to terminate said employment with 24 hours of notification or actual knowledge that an alien is being employed. Respondent’s failure to take such steps as are necessary to terminate the employment of any said alien within 24 hours of notification or actual knowledge that an alien is being employed shall be grounds for immediate termination of the contract. Respondent shall take all commercially reasonable precautions to ensure that it and its subcontractors do not employ persons who are not authorized to work by the immigration laws.

FINANCIAL STABILITY

In the case of Federal and/or Florida State funded procurements, prior to awarding this contract, the top respondents will be required to submit to a soft credit pull for purposes of the County's Risk Assessment consideration; objections by any respondent will disqualify them from consideration. Bad credit indicating you are a high risk may impact your application. Responses will not be considered from respondents who are currently involved in official financial reorganization or bankruptcy proceedings.

CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING FOR STATE OF FLORIDA

Florida Statute 607.1501 requires that all vendors who wish to do business in the State of Florida be licensed to do business through the Department of State of Florida and be in good standing with the State of Florida. As such, to do business with Okaloosa County a vendor must provide a Certificate of Good Standing with their bid/proposal package to the County. For more information on doing business in the State of Florida, please refer to the Florida Department of State. The website to register is https://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz.

Vendors shall upload a copy of their certification in the Vendor Questionnaire section of this solicitation.

https://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz

Okaloosa County Offshore Artificial Reef Construction Project 2026-Large & Small Prefabricated Modules

AUTHORITY TO PIGGYBACK

All respondents submitting a response to this solicitation agree that such response also constitutes a proposal to other Florida local governments under the same conditions, for the same contract price, and for the same effective period, should the respondent feel it is in their best interest to do so.

Each governmental agency desiring to accept this proposal and make and award thereof shall do so independently of any other governmental agency. Each agency shall be responsible for its own purchases and each shall be liable only for materials and/or services ordered and received by it, and no agency assumes any liability by virtue of the solicitation. This provision in no way restricts or interferes with the right of any governmental agency to independently procure any or all items.

BYRD ANTI LOBBYING (31 U.S. C. 1352)

The Certification regarding Lobbying executed by Contractor and attached as part of Attachment “A” to the

Agreement is hereby acknowledged and made part of the Agreement by reference.

Note: For respondent's convenience, this certification form is available in the Vendor Questionnaire

Section of this solicitation.

WORK HOUR AND SAFETY STANDARDS (40 U.S.C. 3701-3708)

The Certification regarding Work Hours and Safety Standards executed by Contractor and attached as part of

Attachment “A” to the Agreement is hereby acknowledged and made part of the Agreement by reference.

SYSTEM OF AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM.GOV)

If grant funded, all vendors must be registered in SAM in order to do business with the County. In order to be considered for the project, the vendor must be registered prior to submitting a bid/proposal with the

County. Failure to show proof of SAM.gov registration at time of submitting a bid/proposal may deem the vendors bid/proposal unresponsive. You can register for SAM at the below link: https://sam.gov/content/home. Note it can take some time for a vendor to get registered for the System of

Award Management and as such it is important to start the process as soon as possible to qualify as a responsive vendor.

SUBCONTRACTING

The Contractor shall comply with this requirement and ensure its subcontracts issued under this Agreement, if any, impose this requirement, in writing, on their subcontractors.

For fixed-price (vendor) subcontracts, the following provisions shall apply: The Contractor may award, on a competitive basis, fixed-price subcontracts to consultants/contractors in performing the work described in the

SCOPE OF WORK/SERVICES. Invoices submitted to County for fixed price subcontracted activities shall be supported with a copy of the subcontractor’s invoice and a copy of the tabulation form for the competitive procurement process (e.g., Invitation to Bid, Request for Proposals, or other similar competitive procurement document) resulting in the fixed-price subcontract. The Contractor may request approval from the County to award a fixed-price subcontract resulting from procurement methods other than those identified above. In this instance, the Contractor shall request the advance written approval from County of the fixed price negotiated by

Contractor. The letter of request shall be supported by a detailed budget and Scope of Services to be performed by the subcontractor. Upon receipt of the County’s approval of the fixed-price amount, the Contractor may proceed in finalizing the fixed-price subcontract.

https://sam.gov/content/home.

Okaloosa County Offshore Artificial Reef Construction Project 2026-Large & Small Prefabricated Modules

If the procurement is subject to the Consultant’s Competitive Negotiation Act under section 287.055, F.S. or the

Brooks Act, the Contractor must provide documentation clearly evidencing it has complied with the statutory or federal requirements.

SECTION 287.05701, FLORIDA STATUES

Pursuant to section 287.05701, Florida Statutes, the County will not request any documentation of or consider a proposer’s social, political or ideological interests when determining if the proposer is a responsible proposer.

The County will not give a preference to a proposer based upon the proposer’s social, political, or ideological interests.

UNITED STATES-PRODUCED IRON AND STEEL (s. 255.0993, Fla. Stat.)

Any iron or steel product permanently incorporated into the project must be produced in the United States.

REQUIRED SUBMISSION ITEMS

GENERAL CONDITIONS

PRE-QUALIFICATION ACTIVITY

A. ADDENDUM - Except as provided in this section, respondents are prohibited from contacting or lobbying the County, County Administrator, Commissioners, County staff, and Review Committee members, or any other person authorized on behalf of the County related or involved with the solicitation. All inquiries on the scope of work, specifications, additional requirements, attachments, terms and general conditions or instructions, or any issue must be directed via OpenGov.

B. All questions or inquiries must be received no later than the last day for questions (reference RFP & Respondent’s Acknowledgement form). Any addenda or other modification to the RFP documents will be issued by the County five (5) days prior to the date and time of closing, as a written addenda distributed to all prospective Respondents by posting to the OpenGov following website:

Such written addenda or modification shall be part of the RFP documents and shall be binding upon each respondent. Each respondent is required to acknowledge receipt of any and all addenda in writing and submit with their documents. No respondent may rely upon any verbal modification or interpretation.

C. PREPARATION OF PROPOSAL – The proposal form is included with the proposal documents. Additional copies may be obtained from the County. The respondent shall submit originals and bid forms in accordance with the public notice.

All blanks in the proposal documents shall be completed electronically in both words and numbers with the amounts extended, totaled and the proposal signed. A proposal price shall be indicated for each section, proposal item, alternative, adjustment unit price item, and unit price item listed therein, or the words “No Proposal”, “No Change”, or “Not Applicable” entered. No changes shall be made to the phraseology of the form or in the items mentioned therein. In case of any discrepancy between the written amount and the numeric figures, the written amount shall govern. Any proposal which contains any

Okaloosa County Offshore Artificial Reef Construction Project 2026-Large & Small Prefabricated Modules omissions, erasures, alterations, additions, irregularities of any kind, or items not called for which shall in any manner fail to conform to the conditions of public notice inviting proposals may be rejected.

A proposal submitted by a corporation shall be executed in the corporate name by the president or a vice president or other corporate officer who has legal authority to sign.

A proposal submitted by a partnership shall be executed in the partnership name and signed by a partner

(whose title must appear under the signature). The official address of the partnership shall be shown below the signature.

A proposal submitted by a limited liability company shall be executed in the name of the firm by a member and accompanied by evidence of authority to sign. The state of formation of the firm and the official address of the firm must be shown below the signature.

A proposal submitted by an individual shall show the respondent’s name and official address.

A proposal submitted by a joint venture shall be executed by each joint venture in the manner indicated on the proposal form. The official address of the joint venture must be shown below the signature.

All signatures shall be submitted electronically - All names shall be typed or printed below the signature.

The proposal shall contain an acknowledgement of receipt of all Addenda, the numbers of which shall be filled in on the form. The address and telephone # for communications regarding the proposal shall be shown.

If the respondent is an out-of-state corporation, the proposal shall contain evidence of respondent’s authority and qualification to do business as an out-of-state corporation in the State of Florida in accordance with Article 3. A state contractor license # for the State of Florida shall also be included on the proposal form. Respondent shall be licensed in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 489, Florida Statutes.

D. INTEGRITY OF PROPOSAL DOCUMENTS - Respondents shall use the original Proposal documents provided by the Purchasing Department and enter information only in the spaces where a response is requested. Respondents may use an attachment as an addendum to the Proposal documents if sufficient space is not available. Any modifications or alterations to the original proposal documents by the respondent, whether intentional or otherwise, will constitute grounds for rejection of a proposal. Any such modifications or alterations that a respondent wishes to propose must be clearly stated in the respondent’s response in the form of an addendum to the original proposal documents.

E. SUBMITTAL OF PROPOSAL – All proposals shall be submitted electronically no later than the date and time prescribed on the Notice to Respondents. The responses submitted should be one (1) completed document, unless otherwise specified within the document.

Okaloosa County Offshore Artificial Reef Construction Project 2026-Large & Small Prefabricated Modules

F. MODIFICATION & WITHDRAWAL OF PROPOSAL - A proposal may be modified or withdrawn by an appropriate document duly executed in the manner that a proposal must be executed and delivered to the place where proposals are to be submitted prior to the date and time for the opening of proposals.

If within 24 hours after proposals are opened any respondent files a duly signed written notice with the

County and promptly thereafter demonstrates to the reasonable satisfaction of the County that there was a material substantial mistake in the preparation of its proposal, that respondent may withdraw its proposal, and the proposal security may be returned. Thereafter, if the work is re-proposal, that respondent will be disqualified from 1) further purposing on the work, and 2) doing any work on the contract, either as a subcontractor or in any other capacity.

G. PROPOSALS TO REMAIN SUBJECT TO ACCEPTANCE – All proposals will remain subject to acceptance or rejection for ninety (90) calendar days after the day of the proposal opening, but the County may, in its sole discretion, release any proposal and return the proposal security prior to the end of this period.

H. CONDITIONAL & INCOMPLETE PROPOSALS - Okaloosa County specifically reserves the right to reject any conditional proposal and proposals which make it impossible to determine the true amount of the proposal.

I. CONTRACT FOR SERVICES – A copy of the County’s standard agreement for professional services such as the ones being procured herein is attached to this procurement. The selected respondent will be required to enter into the County’s standard agreement. It is the responsibility of the Respondent to raise any objections to the terms and conditions of the standard agreement at the time of submitting its response to this RFP. Failure to do so will be considered a waiver of respondent’s right to raise it later in the process or during negotiations. In the evaluation and negotiation processes the County has the right in its sole discretion to consider any objections raised by Respondent as part of the determination of most responsible and responsive proposer.

J. ADDITION/DELETION OF ITEM – The County reserves the right to add or delete any item from this proposal or resulting contract when deemed to be in the County’s best interest.

K. APPLICABLE LAWS & REGULATIONS – All applicable Federal and State laws, County and municipal ordinances, orders, rules and regulations of all authorities having jurisdiction over the services shall apply to the proposal throughout, and they will be deemed to be included in the contract the same as though they were written in full therein. Further, from time to time the County may be eligible to obtain

State of Federal grant funding for some of the services provided hereunder the requirements of the grants will be applicable to the services rendered.

L. DISQUALIFICATION OF RESPONDENTS - Any of the following reasons may be considered as sufficient for the disqualification of a respondent and the rejection of its proposal:

Okaloosa County Offshore Artificial Reef Construction Project 2026-Large & Small Prefabricated Modules

A. Submission of more than one proposal for the same work from an individual, firm, agency, or corporation under the same or different name.

B. Evidence that the respondent has a financial interest in the firm of another respondent for the same work.

C. Evidence of collusion among respondents. Participants in such collusion will receive no recognition as respondents for any future work of the County until such participant has been reinstated as a qualified respondent.

D. Uncompleted work which in the judgment of the County might hinder or prevent the prompt completion of additional work if awarded.

E. Failure to pay or satisfactorily settle all bills due for labor and material on former contracts in force at the time of advertisement of proposals.

F. Default under previous contract.

G. Listing of the respondent by the Federal Government on its barred/suspended vendor list.

M. AWARD OF CONTRACT -

Okaloosa County Review - Okaloosa County appointed selection committee, shall review all proposals and will participate in the recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners. The Board of County

Commissioners shall make final determination on any award of Contract.

The contract shall be awarded to the responsible and responsive respondent(s) whose proposal is determined to be the most advantageous to the County, taking into consideration the price and other criteria set forth in the request for proposals. The County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals or to waive any irregularity or technicality in proposals received. The County shall be the sole judge of the proposal and the resulting negotiated agreement that is in its best interest and its decision shall be final.

Okaloosa County reserves the right to waive any informalities or reject any and all proposals, in whole or part, to utilize any applicable state contracts in lieu of or in addition to this proposal and to accept the proposal that in its judgment will best serve the interest of the County.

Okaloosa County specifically reserves the right to reject any conditional proposals and proposals which make it impossible to determine the true amount of the proposal.

N. PAYMENTS – The respondent shall be paid upon submission of invoices and approval of acceptance by

Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners, Finance Office, 101 E James Lee Blvd, Rm 108

Crestview, FL 32536, for the prices stipulated herein for services rendered. All invoices must show the

Contract #. Invoices for fees or other compensation must be submitted in sufficient detail to demonstrate compliance with the terms of this procurement and resulting contract.

Okaloosa County Offshore Artificial Reef Construction Project 2026-Large & Small Prefabricated Modules

O. DISCRIMINATION - An entity or affiliate who has been placed on the discriminatory vendor list may not submit a proposal on a contract to provide goods or services to a public entity, may not submit a proposal on a contract with a public entity for the construction or repair of a public building or public work, may not submit proposals on leases of real property to a public entity, may not award or perform work as a contractor, supplier, subcontractor, or consultant under contract with any public entity, and may not transact business with any public entity.

P. PUBLIC ENTITY CRIME INFORMATION - Pursuant to Florida Statute 287.133, a respondent 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 s. 287.017 for CATEGORY TWO for a period of 36 months following the date of being placed on the convicted vendor list.

Q. CONFLICT OF INTEREST - The award hereunder is subject to the provisions of Chapter 112, Florida

Statutes. All respondents must disclose with their proposals the name of any officer, director, or agent who is also a public officer or an employee of The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation

Commission[SU1] , Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners, or any of its agencies. Furthermore, all respondents must disclose the name of any County officer or employee who owns, directly or indirectly, an interest of five percent (5%) or more in the firm or any of its branches.

R. RECYCLED CONTENT INFORMATION - In accordance with Section 403.7065, F.S[SU2] . and in support of the Florida Waste Management Law, respondents are encouraged to supply with their proposal any information available regarding recycled material content in the products proposal. The County is particularly interested in the type of recycled material used (such as paper, plastic, glass, metal, etc.) and the percentage of recycled material contained in the product. The County also requests information regarding any known or potential material content in the product that may be extracted and recycled after the product has served its intended purpose.

S. REORGANIZATION OR BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS – Proposals will not be considered from respondents who are currently involved in official financial reorganization or bankruptcy proceedings.

T. INVESTIGATION OF RESPONDENT – The County may make such investigations, as it deems necessary to determine the stability of the respondent to perform the work and that there is no conflict of interest as it relates to the project. The respondent shall furnish to the Owner any additional information and financial data for this purpose as the County may request.

U. CONE OF SILENCE - The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners has established a solicitation silence policy (Cone of Silence Clause) that prohibits oral and written communication regarding all formal solicitations for goods and services (formal bids, Request for Proposals, Requests for

Qualifications) issued by the Board through the County Purchasing Department. The period commences http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0200-0299/0287/Sections/0287.017.html

Okaloosa County Offshore Artificial Reef Construction Project 2026-Large & Small Prefabricated Modules from the date of advertisement until award of contract. All communications shall be directed to the

Purchasing Department.

V. COMPLIANCE WITH FLORIDA STATUTE 119.0701 - The Respondent shall comply with all the provisions of section 119.0701, Florida Statutes relating to the public records which requires, among other things, that the Respondent: (a) Keep and maintain public records; (b) Provide the public with access to public records on the same terms and conditions that the public agency would provide the records; (c) ensure that public records that are exempt or confidential and exempt from public records disclosure requirements are not disclosed except as authorized by law; and (d) Meet all requirements for retaining public records and transfer, at no cost, to the public agency all public records in possession of the respondent upon termination of the contract.

W. PROTECTION OF RESIDENT WORKERS – The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners actively supports the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) which includes provisions addressing employment eligibility, employment verifications, and nondiscrimination. Under the INA, employers may hire only persons who may legally work in the United States (i.e., citizens and nationals of the U.S.)

and aliens authorized to work in the U.S. The employer must verify the identity and employment eligibility of anyone to be hired, which includes completing the Employment Eligibility

Verifications. The respondent shall establish appropriate procedures and controls so no services or products under the Contract Documents will be performed or manufactured by any worker who is not legally eligible to perform such services or employment. Okaloosa County reserves the right to request documentation showing compliance with the requirements.

Respondents doing construction business with Okaloosa County are required to use the Federal

Government Department of Homeland Security’s website and use the E-Verify Employment Eligibility

Verifications System to confirm eligibility of all employees to work in the United States.

X. SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE - The County may, at any time, without cause, order Respondent in writing to suspend, delay or interrupt the work in whole or in part for such period of time as the County may determine, or to terminate all or a portion of the Contract for the County’s convenience. Upon such termination, the Contract Price earned to the date of termination shall be paid to

Respondent, but Respondent waives any claim for damages, including loss of profits arising out of or related to the early termination. Those Contract provisions which by their nature survive final acceptance shall remain in full force and effect. If the County orders a suspension, the Contract price and Contract time may be adjusted for increases in the cost and time caused by suspension, delay or interruption. No adjustment shall be made to the extent that performance is, was or would have been so suspended, delayed or interrupted by reason for which Respondent is responsible; or that an equitable adjustment is made or denied under another provision of this Contract.

Y. FAILURE OF PERFORMANCE/DELIVERY - In case of default by the respondent, the County after due notice (oral or written) may procure the necessary supplies or services from other sources and hold the

Okaloosa County Offshore Artificial Reef Construction Project 2026-Large & Small Prefabricated Modules respondent responsible for difference in cost incurred. Continuous instances of default shall result in cancellation of the contract and removal of the respondent from the proposal list for duration of one (1) year, at the option of the County.

Z. AUDIT - If requested, respondent shall permit the County or an authorized, independent audit agency to inspect all data and records of respondent relating to its performance and its subcontracts under this contract from the date of the contract through five (5)[SU3] years after the expiration of contract.

AA. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY; NON-DISCRIMINATION – Respondent will not discriminate against any employee or an applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, familial status or handicap.

BB. NON-COLLUSION – Respondent certifies that it has entered into no agreement to commit a fraudulent, deceitful, unlawful or wrongful act, or any act which may result in an unfair advantage over other respondents. See Florida Statute 838.22.

CC. UNAUTHORIZED ALIENS/PATRIOT’S ACT – The knowing employment by respondent or its subcontractors of any alien not authorized to work by the immigration laws is prohibited and shall be a default of the contract. In the event that the respondent is notified or becomes aware of such default, the respondent shall take steps as are necessary to terminate said employment with 24 hours of notification or actual knowledge that an alien is being employed.