RFQ_25-134_Continuing_Services_Contract_(CCNA)_for_Solid_Waste_Division.pdf

For more information, please visit our online supplier portal, located at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/citrusfl

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Project #: RFQ 25-134

RFQ 25-134 CONTINUING SERVICES CONTRACT (CCNA) FOR SOLID WASTE

DIVISION

Bid Due Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025 @ 2:00 pm

Issue Request for Qualifications June 7, 2025

Deadline for Questions July 1, 2025, 4:00pm

Response submittal Due Date and Time July 9, 2025, 2:00pm

Public Opening Date and Time via

Microsoft Teams

July 9, 2025, 2:15pm

Microsoft TEAMS meeting Meeting ID: 264 885 467 052 Passcode:5wD3vi3o

Public Tally of Scores (Subject to

Change)

July 31, 2025, 10:00am

Microsoft Teams Meeting ID: 254 224 319 501 3 Passcode:hG9nZ2W6

Oral Presentations (Subject to Change) August 19, 2025

For more information, please visit our online supplier portal, located at

Board Approval of Selection and Award

(subject to change)

September 23, 2025

CITRUS COUNTY, FLORIDA

A political subdivision of the State of Florida

Department of Management & Budget

3600 W. Sovereign Path, Suite 266

Lecanto, FL 34461

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. DEFINITIONS

2. Instructions to Respondents

3. Requirements

4. Response Format

5. Procurement Information

6. Evaluation of Responses

7. Award of Agreement

8. Term of Agreement

9. Contents of RFP

10. Additional Information

11. MINIMUM INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

12. RESPONDENT RESPONSES

13. EXHIBITS

Attachments:

A - Attachment A Sample Work Authorization

B - Attachment B Disciplines Matrix

C - Attachment_C_Truth_in_Negotiations_Cert (1)

D - Attachment D ar9_09-4

E - RFQ 25-134 Sample Master Agreement FINAL

1. DEFINITIONS

Addenda: A written or graphic instrument issued by County prior to the execution of the Agreement which modifies or interprets the Request for Qualifications by additions, deletions, clarifications, corrections or other type of modifications. Addenda will become part of the Contract Documents when the Agreement is executed.

Agency: means the state, a state agency, a municipality, a political subdivision, a school district, or a school board. The term “agency” does not extend to a nongovernmental developer that contributes public facilities to a political subdivision under s. 380.06 or ss. 163.3220-163.3243.

Agreement: A legal document, executed by County and Successful Respondent, which supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements, either written or oral. The Agreement, as amended from time to time, forms the Contract between County and the Successful Respondent setting forth the roles, responsibilities and obligations of the parties including, but not limited to, the performance of the Services and the basis of payment.

Competitive Consultants Negotiation Act (CCNA) means that under Florida Statute Chapter 287.055, the acquisition of all architectural, professional engineering, landscape architectural, registered surveying, and mapping services must be procured through the qualifications-only process known as the Consultants Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA). The CCNA requires agencies to follow a qualifications-based selection process for any project in which the basic construction cost exceeds $7,500,000, or, for a planning or study activity, the fee for professional services exceeds $500,000.

Consultant: means Successful Respondent, in the context of the Request for Qualifications. In the context of the Contract

Documents, Consultant means any company, firm, partnership, corporation, association, joint venture, or other legal entity permitted by law to perform the Services in the State of Florida. Such legal entity shall be the entity that enters into a written

Agreement with County to perform the Services required under any Work Authorization assignment. Consultant will have sole responsibility for the performance of the Services covered under a Master Agreement and Work Authorization

Assignment that is awarded in conjunction with this Request for Qualifications.

Continuing Contract: is a contract for professional services entered into in accordance with all the procedures of this act between an agency and a firm whereby the firm provides professional services to the agency for projects in which the estimated construction cost of each individual project under the contract does not exceed $7,500,000.00, for study activity if the fee for professional services for each individual study under the contract does not exceed $500,000.00, or for work of a specified nature as outlined in the contract required by the agency, with the contract being for a fixed term or with no time limitation except that the contract must provide a termination clause. Firms providing professional services under continuing contracts shall not be required to bid against one another.

Contract Documents: Request for Qualifications, including Addenda to such, the Agreement, Terms and Conditions, Special Terms and Conditions, Respondent’s Response, Scope of Services, Certificate(s) of Insurance, Notice to Proceed, Notice of Award, Drawings and Specifications, Affidavit/Signature Page, References, and any other documents mailed or otherwise transmitted to Respondent prior to or after the submittal of their Response (including documentation mailed or otherwise transmitted by Respondent prior to or after the Notice of Award), negotiation agreements and documentation, and any Amendments to the Agreement, as may be issued from time to time, which are all to be treated as one in the form of the Contract Documents.

County: Citrus County, Florida, a political subdivision of the State of Florida, its officers, agents, employees and volunteers.

Governmental Entity: A political subdivision or agency of this state or of any state of the United States, including, but not limited to, state government, county, municipality, school district, nonprofit public university or college, single purpose or multipurpose special district, single-purpose special or multipurpose authority, metropolitan or consolidated government, separate legal entity or administrative entity, or any agency of the Federal Government.

Individual Scorers: County employees selected to score the Responses and Oral Presentation (if applicable) and recommend to the Board the Successful Respondent(s) for an award.

Master Agreement: means a legal document, executed by County and Successful Respondent, which supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements, either written or oral. The Master Agreement, as amended from time to time, forms the Contract between County and Successful Respondent setting forth the roles, responsibilities and obligations of https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/380.06 https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/163.3220 https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/163.3243 the parties including, but not limited to, the performance of the Services and the basis of payment for Work Authorization

Assignments.

Minor Irregularity: A variation from the Request for Qualifications terms and conditions which does not affect the price or give Respondent an advantage or benefit not enjoyed by the other Respondents or does not adversely impact the interests of County.

Notice of Award: A written notice submitted by County notifying the Successful Respondent that they have been awarded the project.

Notice of Intent to Award: A verbal or written notice submitted by County notifying the Successful Respondent that

County intends to award the project to them contingent upon the Successful Respondent executing the Agreement and submitting any outstanding documents.

Piggyback: A government authority other than County purchasing commodities from the Successful Respondent(s) under the same terms and conditions that the Successful Respondent(s) has agreed to offer County.

Professional Services: means those services within the scope of the practice of architecture, professional engineering, landscape architecture, or registered surveying and mapping, as defined by the laws of the state, or those performed by any architect, professional engineer, landscape architect, or registered surveyor and mapper in connection with his or her professional employment or practice.

Public Opening: Opening of the Responses and the announcing of Respondents who submitted a Response in response to the Request for Qualifications in the presence of the public.

Recommendation of Award: A written notification sent by way of facsimile or electronic e-mail to those who submitted a

Response in response to this Request for Qualifications advising them of County's decision for its selection of the

Successful Respondent(s) and its intent to award to that Respondent.

Request for Qualifications (RFQ): Contents of this solicitation and all supporting documents including Addendum to such, or other related information transmitted to potential Respondents.

Respondent: Entity that submits a Response to County in response to the Request for Qualifications.

Response: Means the response to the Request for Qualifications submitted by Respondent.

Responsible Respondent: An entity who submits a Response who shows that they have the capability in all respects to perform fully the Services outlined in the Request for Qualifications, and the integrity and reliability that will assure good faith performance.

Responsive: A Response that conforms in all material respects to the Request for Qualifications requirements.

Services: Scope of Services as noted in this Request for Qualifications.

Subconsultant: Any person, firm, partnership, corporation, association or other organization, or a combination of any of them that has a direct contract with Successful Respondent to perform a portion of the services awarded under a professional service contract.

Successful Respondent: Most responsive and responsible Respondent with the highest final score to whom County

(on the basis of County’s evaluation as hereinafter provided) selects to make an award.

Timeline: List of critical dates and actions involved in the Request for Qualifications.

2. Instructions to Respondents

2.1. Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS

ALL RESPONSES WILL BE RECEIVED ELECTRONICALLY VIA THE OPENGOV WEBSITE ON OR BEFORE 2:00 PM

EST ON THURSDAY July 9, 2025. SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS MAY BE OBTAINED ELECTRONICALLY

AT https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/citrusfl/projects/170656 https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/citrusfl/projects/170656

RESPONSES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED AND CANNOT BE ENTERED ONLINE AFTER THE ABOVE REFERENCED

DATE AND TIME.

RESPONSES WILL BE OPENED, READ AND RECORDED PURSUANT TO FLORIDA LAW AND COUNTY

ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS.

All RFQs will be publicly opened via a Microsoft Teams Meeting (link provided herein).

RFQ PROCESS: DATE:

Issue RFQ Package June 7, 2025

Deadline for receipt of written questions July 1, 2025 at 4:00 P.M.

Response due date July 9, 2025 at 2:00 P.M.

Public Response Opening July 9, 2025 at 2:15 P.M.

Public Tally of Scores July 31, 2025 at 10:00 A.M.

Oral Presentations (Tentative date) August 19 , 2025

Effective Date of Contract (Tentative date) October 1, 2025

INQUIRIES/INTERPRETATIONS: All Respondents shall carefully examine the RFQ documents. Any ambiguities or inconsistencies shall be brought to the attention of the County prior to the due date; failure to do so, on the part of the

Respondent, will constitute an acceptance by the Respondent of any subsequent decision. Any questions concerning the intent, meaning and interpretations of the RFQ documents including the attached draft agreement, shall be requested in writing via the Questions & Answers section of this solicitation by 4:00 P.M., July 1, 2025. The County will not be responsible for any oral instructions made by any employee(s) of the County in regard to this RFQ. Oral statements given before the

RFQ Due Date will not be binding.

2.2. Solicitation Overview

In accordance with Section 287.055, Florida Statutes, Citrus County, Florida (“County”) is requesting interested firms to submit Statement of Qualifications providing qualifications and experience with various professional

Engineering services associated with Solid Waste Management. The consultant(s) selected should also be able to provide the services sub-noted within the discipline either through in-house services or with sub-consultants.

The disciplines which the Solid Waste Management Division intends to utilize are as follows:

1. Alternative Energy Facilities - These services may include facility design, permitting, construction, and inspection. The respondent should demonstrate expertise and experience with landfill gas, waste-to-energy, solar, wind, and alternative generating processes.

2. Closure Design, Permitting and Construction Management - Work may include the preparation of landfill closure design plans in accordance with all federal, state, and local regulations for Class I and Class III landfills.

3. Contamination Evaluation - Creation and implementation of corrective action and/or remediation plans and related permits. Collection of samples / field testing to include Florida Department of Health approved laboratory analysis and evaluation of resulting data for groundwater and landfill gas. The respondent should demonstrate experience and expertise with regulatory consent order resolution.

4. Design, Permitting and Construction of Public Drop-off and Recycling Facilities - These services may include all items associated with recycling efforts including feasibility studies, volume generation, equipment selection, bidding and implementation of projects.

5. Design, Permitting, and Construction Management to Retro-fit Existing Facilities - This service may include design modifications to leachate management systems, landfill gas management systems, exposed geomembrane covers, buffer enhancements, operational plans and other services related to the landfill infrastructure. Respondent should demonstrate expertise and experience in retrofitting existing landfills and ancillary systems to meet changes or projected changes in operating conditions or the regulatory requirements.

6. Landfill Gas System Services - This work may include the design, permitting and construction management of landfill gas collection and control systems (GCCS). Respondent should demonstrate expertise with installation / expansion of GCCS in order to comply with the requirements of the Federal New Source Performance Standards, Greenhouse Gas, Carbon off- set verification and Title V Air Permit requirements. Expertise and experience with horizontal and vertical GCCS should include the ability to prepare construction-level technical specifications, estimated bid quantities, and cost estimates applicable in preparing qualified bid documents.

7. Leachate Collection and Disposal - This work may include the design, permitting, and construction management of leachate collection, pumping, holding and disposal systems. Respondent should demonstrate expertise and experience with leachate management in order to compare potential alternative methods for collection, treatment, and disposal. Expertise and experience with on-site pre-treatment and reduction is beneficial.

8. Leachate System Services - This work may include the design, permitting and construction management of geomembrane, geosynthetic, clay and composite lining systems together with the ancillary leachate collection and leak detection systems. Respondent should demonstrate expertise and experience with lining systems used to contain solid waste and the leachate and landfill gas emitted from solid waste landfills. Expertise and experience with double geomembrane systems is required. Expertise in estimating and comparing total installation and operating costs for innovative design projects is also required.

9. Solid Waste Accounting Services - This may include but is not limited to collection and rate negotiations, closure financial assurance reporting, waste generation studies, waste composition studies, full cost account reporting, ad-valorem solid waste assessment and rate studies.

10. Solid Waste Landfill Design, Expansion, Permitting, and Construction Management - Work may include preparation of feasibility studies, engineering calculations and design plans, operational plans, closure plans, long-term care, and monitoring plans in accordance with all federal, state, and local regulations for landfills, transfer stations, public drop-off and recycling facilities. Experience with innovative technologies including bioreactors, leachate collection systems, waste reduction programs, and landfill construction techniques are required. Significant and innovative solid waste research and development is beneficial. Services may also include land reclamation and remediation.

3. Requirements

Minimum Requirements For Submitting A Response

Respondents shall demonstrate in their Response that they meet the following minimum requirements. If any Respondent is found not to meet these requirements, their Response will be rejected.

• Firms and personnel within those firms shall be qualified and meet requirements for the professional discipline for which they are applying.

• Firms shall be registered with the State of Florida to conduct business in the State.

• Key Personnel within the firm shall possess a valid and current professional license or certification issued by the

State of Florida for the professional discipline for which they are applying.

• Firms must have been in the business of providing professional services for the discipline(s) for which they are applying for a minimum of five (5) years. If a Firm has a history of less than five years, the principal individual within the Firm must demonstrate that they were previously employed with another a firm who provides professional services for the discipline(s) for which they are applying for a minimum of five (5) years in order to meet this minimum requirement.

• Key Personnel within the Firm must have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in their discipline of expertise.

• Project Managers proposed by the Firm must have a minimum of three (3) years of project management experience.

• Subconsultants and subcontractors that Firms may propose must also meet the above minimum requirements.

• Firms must be able to respond to certain scope of work-related service requests within 24 hours of notification from the Solid Waste Management Division.

4. Response Format

To aid in the evaluation of each Response, Respondents shall provide the following information in the format as noted. This information will be used as the foundation for scoring the Responses. Following directions is essential.

Please upload your Response, in the RESPONDENT RESPONSES section. There are sections provided to upload your response for the tabs listed below.

Responses are NOT to include any reference to compensation. Any Response that is opened and found to include pricing information will be deemed non-responsive.

Tab 1) Title Page

Provide the RFQ # and title, the Company’s name; the name, address, telephone number and email of the contact person;

and the date of the proposal.

Tab 2) Letter of Transmittal

A transmittal letter must be provided briefly stating the Respondent’s understanding of the services to be provided, a statement why the Respondent believes they are the best qualified to perform the services and a statement that the

Qualifications Statement submitted is a contractual obligation and irrevocable offer until such time as County awards a contract as a result of this RFQ.

Each Respondent may apply for any, or all ten (10) disciplines listed above. Respondents must indicate which of the ten (10) discipline(s) they are applying for in their letter of transmittal. Respondents shall complete Attachment A, Professional Services Disciplines Matrix and submit with their letter of transmittal.

The transmittal letter must be signed by a duly authorized officer(s) of Respondent’s Company, as registered with the Florida

Secretary of State through the Division of Corporations website at: www.sunbiz.org. Respondent must provide a copy of

Company’s Sunbiz following the transmittal letter in order to verify the duly authorized officers. If such an officer is not listed in Sunbiz for Respondent, Respondent must provide a legal document, such as a Certificate of Resolution, stating that the officer is authorized to execute all documents on behalf of the Respondent.

TAB 3) Company Information and Qualifications (25 points maximum)

Respondents are to provide a narrative describing their firm’s organization, size, number of employees, number of years in business, overall company philosophy and variety and level of government services offered. Brochures or other promotional presentations beyond that sufficient to present a complete and effective Response are not desired.

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/citrusfl/projects/170656/document?section=1568193 http://www.sunbiz.org/

Respondents are to provide three (3) references for whom they have provided services similar to those outlined in this

Request for Qualifications over the past five (5) years. References should include the client name, address, contact person, phone number, e-mail address, and a description of Services provided.

Respondents are to advise as to whether their company has in the past filed for bankruptcy, is currently in bankruptcy, or has bankruptcy action pending. Please note that County may require more detailed financial information from the

Respondent as part of its scoring process.

Respondents are to provide a list of any past, pending or present litigation or disputes that they currently have or had with other clients within the last five (5) years. Respondents are to provide information as to the nature of the litigation or dispute.

Respondent must describe three projects that they have performed for clients to verify their competency for Solid Waste

Management Experience.

TAB 4) Personnel Proposed and Qualifications (25 points maximum)

Respondents are to identify the individuals that will be assigned to provide the Services outlined in the Request for

Qualifications and briefly explain why they have selected these individuals.

a. Include resumes of each individual.

b. Include a list of projects, individuals have worked on, or are currently working on, which are similar to the

Services outlined in this Request for Qualifications.

c. Include copies of their professional license and/or certifications, titles and accomplishments of individuals.

Respondents are to indicate who will be the lead person assigned to manage the Services covered under this Request for

Qualifications and provide the same information about this individual as noted above.

Respondents are to provide an Organizational Chart of personnel within their firm to be assigned to provide the Services.

TAB 5) Technical Strength and Support Capability (30 points maximum)

Respondents are to provide the number of years that their organization has been performing the type of Services for which they are submitting a response to and examples of similar projects that they have undertaken. From a technical perspective, explain why their organization should be selected to perform the Services and how their firm can add value to the goals and objectives of County. Include examples of their experience and their success providing similar services to other governmental entities.

Respondents are to include the number of Class I Landfills for which the Consultant was the Engineer of Record.

From a logistics perspective, Respondents are to explain how their organization intends to interact and interface with County in the performance of the Services.

Respondents are to provide a list of proposed subconsultants and sub-contractors and a description of the services they will be providing.

TAB 6) Specifications and Approach to the Services to be Performed (10 points maximum)

Respondents are to provide a narrative of their understanding of the Scope of Services for the discipline and their intended approach for performing the Services and resulting work product. Respondents are to provide the rationale behind their approach, any concerns in completing the Services, and methods of resolving such concerns. Respondents are to describe any similar approaches implemented and or managed by the “team” for government clients and describe what assistance will be required from County.

Respondents shall demonstrate its approach in obtaining participation of State Certified Minority, Small or Disadvantaged

Business Enterprises for various projects. The selected firm shall assure the County that it will adhere to acceptable practices for enlisting qualified and certified Minority Business Enterprises.

TAB 7) Required Forms, Documents and Information - (10 points maximum)

Forms are located in the RESPONDENT RESPONSES section.

a. Certification for Disclosure of Lobbying Activities on Federal Aid Contracts,

b. Non-Collusion/Lobbying Activities Certification,

c. Conflict of Interest Form,

d. Drug-Free Workplace Certification,

e. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and other Responsibility Matters Primary Covered

Transactions,

f. Vendor Certification Regarding Scrutinized Companies Lists,

g. Minority/Woman Owned and Small Business Utilization Report,

h. Copy of the current Certificate of Insurance. (Proof of insurance).

i. Human Trafficking Affidavit

j. Sunbiz.org Registration (Proof of an active registration)

k. SAM.gov Registration (Proof of an active registration)

Tab 8) Florida Statute 287.055 Section 3 (d) Certified Minority Business Enterprise Certification (Extra 2.5 Points)

In accordance with section 287.055(3)(d), Florida Statutes, acquisition of professional architectural, engineering, landscape architectural, or surveying and mapping services if a proposing Firm is a certified minority business enterprise as defined by the Florida Small and Minority Business Assistance Act, and the Firm submits proof of a valid certification from the Florida

Department of Management Services Office of Supplier Diversity, this Firm will receive two point five (2.5) points for this criterion. The submitted certification will be validated using the Certified Vendor Directory from the Office of Supplier

Diversity website, https://osd.dms.myflorida.com/directories .

5. Procurement Information

Respondents are encouraged to carefully review all the materials contained herein and prepare their Response accordingly. The detailed requirements set forth below will be used to evaluate the Proposals and failure of Respondent to provide the information requested for a specific requirement may render their Proposal as non-responsive and result in being rejected. Failure of Respondent to comply with all terms of this Solicitation may result in disqualification of Respondent and rejection of Respondent’s proposal by County.

County shall not be liable for any costs incurred by a Respondent in preparing or producing its Response or for any Service provided before execution of an Agreement.

All terms and conditions outlined in this Solicitation and any associated Addenda, shall become a part of the Agreement entered into between County and the Successful Respondent.

5.1. Vendor System-OpenGov Registration

County has partnered with OpenGov Procurement, a web-based eProcurement service. Current bid solicitations and associated addenda, notices of recommended bid award, and current bid awards will be posted at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/citrusfl.

Bid Notifications will be sent electronically via e-mail from OpenGov to registered Bidders. It is the sole responsibility of interested parties to monitor OpenGov for solicitation opportunities and updates.

Visit https://procurement.opengov.com/signup to register. OpenGov is an online Bidder registration system that provides a free, at no cost to Bidder, secure, user-friendly Internet portal and one-stop service center to register with County. This system also allows you to receive automatic email notifications regarding County’s upcoming competitive solicitations as opportunities become available. Registration assistance is available by e-mail procurement-support@opengov.com.

All Citrus County Vendors/Contractors/Consultants will need to register with OpenGov in order to be able to submit

Bids/Proposals/Qualifications etc., to County.

https://osd.dms.myflorida.com/directories https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/citrusfl https://procurement.opengov.com/signup mailto:procurement-support@opengov.com

OpenGov Procurement has no affiliation with the County other than as a service that facilitates communication between the

County and its Bidder. OpenGov Procurement is an independent entity and is not an agent or representative of the County.

5.2. Contact Person

All inquiries pertaining to this Request for Qualifications are to be directed to all:

Linda Morse, Purchasing & Contracts Manager, linda.morse@citrusbocc.gov

Karin McMahon, Purchasing & Contracts Specialist, Karin.mcmahon@citrusbocc.gov

Leigha Utter, Purchasing Assistant, leigha.utter@citrusbocc.gov

Saleem Mahmood, Purchasing Assistant, saleem.mahmood@citrusbocc.gov

Department of Management & Budget, Purchasing Division

3600 W. Sovereign Path, Suite 266

Lecanto, Florida, 34461

Phone: 352-527-5457

Fax: 352-527-5424

CAUTION

PROHIBITED COMMUNICATIONS: In accordance with Section 287.057 (25) of the Florida Statutes, Respondents to this solicitation, or persons acting on their behalf, may not contact, between the release of the solicitation and the end of the 72-hour period following the agency posting the notice of intended award, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, any employee or officer of the County concerning any aspect of this solicitation, except in writing to the Contact Person noted above. Violation of this provision may be grounds for rejecting a response to this solicitation.

5.3. Questions/Additional Terms and Conditions/Variances/Exceptions

Respondents may submit questions about the meaning or intent of the Request for Qualifications or Agreement to the website link (https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/citrusfl/projects/170656) in written format only and shall submit such on or before the deadline for questions listed in the Event Timeline. Interpretations or clarifications considered necessary in response to such questions will be issued by a written Addendum. Only questions answered by formal written Addendum will be binding. Oral and other interpretations or clarifications will be without legal effect.

Questions submitted shall not constitute formal protest of the specifications or of this Request for Qualifications.

A written addendum, if applicable, will be issued online to OpenGov (https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/citrusfl) and/or

DemandStar® websites in response to questions received as of the specified the deadline in the Event Timeline.

Issues regarding any and all discrepancies, errors, or ambiguities in the Request for Qualifications documents, including those noted in the Agreement shall be submitted in writing to https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/citrusfl on or before the deadline for questions which is listed in the Event Timeline.

5.4. Event Timeline

Respondents should review and become familiar with the Event Timeline. The dates and times of each activity within the

Timeline may be subject to change. It is the responsibility of Respondent to check for any changes. All changes to the

Timeline will be made through an addendum to this Request for Qualifications.

If you are hearing or speech impaired, dial 7-1-1 or (800) 955-8771 (TTY) or (800) 955-8770 (v), via Florida Relay Service.

If you need a Spanish Translator, dial 7-1-1 or (800) 955-8771 (TTY) or (800) 955-8773 (v), via Florida Relay Service. For all other languages, please contact Human Resources at (352) 527-5370.

mailto:linda.morse@citrusbocc.com mailto:Karin.mcmahon@citrusbocc.com mailto:leigha.utter@citrusbocc.gov mailto:saleem.mahmood@citrusbocc.gov https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/citrusfl/projects/170656

Si usted necesita un Traductor en Español, marque 7-1-1 o (800) 955-8771 (TTY) o (800) 955-8773 (v), a través del Servicio de Retransmisión de Florida.

**All public Meetings are subject to change or can be canceled.

Issue Request for Qualifications: June 7, 2025

Deadline for Questions: July 1, 2025, 4:00pm

Response submittal Due Date and Time: July 9, 2025, 2:00pm

Public Opening Date and Time via Microsoft

Teams:

July 9, 2025, 2:15pm

Public Tally of Scores July 31, 2025, 10:00am

Oral Presentations-if applicable August 19, 2025

Board Approval of Selection and Award (subject to change):

September 23, 2025

5.5. Solicitations or Awards in Violation of Law

If, prior to contract award, it is determined that this Solicitation or proposed contract award is in violation of law, then this

Solicitation or contract award shall be cancelled, or revised to comply with the law.

If, after an award of a contract, it is determined that this Solicitation or contract award is in violation of law, then the awarded contract may be ratified and affirmed, provided it is determined that doing so is in the best interest of County, or the contract may be terminated.

5.6. Public Opening of Responses

Electronic Responses shall be opened on July 9, 2025 at 2:15 PM. Since qualifications will be evaluated in determining an award, the only information conveyed at the Public Opening will be the names of Respondents.

Public Opening shall be via a recorded, online “Microsoft Teams” meeting, use link listed below:

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 264 885 467 052

Passcode: 5wD3vi3o

5.7. Submission of Responses

Electronic Responses submittal for this Request for Qualifications are to be submitted on or before July 9, 2025 at 2:00

pm. It is the sole responsibility of the Respondent to ensure that their Response is submitted through OpenGov

Procurement no later than the time and date specified in the Solicitation or subsequent addenda. RESPONDENTS MUST

COMPLETE THE INFORMATION REQUESTED IN THE RESPONDENT RESPONSES SECTION.

Responses shall be submitted through the online solicitation management portal, https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/citrusfl. You may enter information and/or upload completed forms/documents using the OpenGov portal. Respondents must have registered and received an established account in advance of uploading submissions. When submitting an offer electronically through the solicitation posting portal, please allow sufficient time to complete the online forms and upload documents. The solicitation offer will end at the closing time listed in the Event

Timeline included in this Solicitation. If you are in the middle of uploading your documents at the closing time, the system will stop the process and your Response will not be received by the system. It is recommended that the submission process be completed the day prior to the due date, with the knowledge that any changes/updates will be accepted up to the due date and time. If technical difficulties arise during submission of the Solicitation submittal, it is the submitting Respondent’s responsibility to contact OpenGov Procurement technical support. For support, click on the “Help” link on the Solicitation

Posting portal; or email procurement-support@opengov.com.

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NOTE: In the event, there is a verified technical issue with the Platform (and not user/Respondent issues) that prevents all

Respondents from submitting a Response within the two (2) hours immediately before the due time, the County may issue an addendum to extend the solicitation due date and time. However, the technical issue must be a result of the Platform provider (OpenGov Procurement) and affect all participating Respondents. The County shall verify the technical issue or unavailability of the Platform with OpenGov Procurement, and the system provider. Technical issues localized to a single

Respondent will not be considered cause for an extension. County shall not be responsible for delays caused in any occurrence.

5.8. Joint Ventures

Two or more agencies may submit a Response under a joint venture arrangement. Joint ventures shall be considered as a single entity in the evaluation of a Response. That is, the traits of individual agencies shall be blended in arriving at an overall Response evaluation score and oral interview score for the joint venture.

An agency, that submits a Response under a joint venture arrangement may satisfy the technical certification requirements outlined in this Solicitation as the prime Respondent through one or more of the agencies comprising the Joint Venture. The

Joint Venture shall at a minimum comply with the following additional requirements:

1) The Joint Venture shall, in its own name, be registered with the State of Florida Division of Corporations prior to submittal of a Proposal.

2) Each individual Agency comprising the Joint Venture shall, in its own name, be qualified in their respective areas of expertise prior to submittal of a Response.

Full compliance with the requirements set forth above is required, as well as properly documented compliance with any other certification and additional requirements set forth in the Solicitation.

5.9. Timeliness of Response Submittal

County assumes no responsibility for a Response received after the due date and time. There will be no exceptions to this policy. It is the responsibility of Respondent to make sure their response is uploaded by the due date and time listed in the Event Timeline to the OpenGov portal.

5.10. Modification / Withdraw of Response

Bidders/Respondents have the right to modify or withdraw their Response without cause or without liability whatsoever at any time prior to the stipulated submittal date and time. Such requests must be made to County in writing.

Modified or withdrawn Responses may be resubmitted, in accordance with the instructions in this Solicitation prior to the stipulated submittal date and time.

5.11. Less Than Two Responses Received

If less than two Responses are received, County may negotiate the best terms and conditions with that Respondent or reject the Response and re-solicit the Service.

5.12. Examination of Response Documents

It is the responsibility of each Bidder/Respondent before submitting a Proposal, to (1) examine the Solicitation Documents thoroughly, (2) consider Federal, State, and Local Laws and Regulations that may affect cost, progress, performance or furnishing of the Services, (3) study and carefully correlate Respondent's observations with the Solicitation Documents, and

(4) notify the Contact Person of all conflicts, errors or discrepancies in the Solicitation Documents prior to submitting a formal

Response.

Before submitting a Response, it shall be the Respondent's responsibility to submit to County a request for any additional information and data which pertains to the Project covered under this Solicitation which Respondent deems necessary to develop their Response for performing the Services in accordance with the terms and conditions noted herein.

The submission of a Response in response to this Solicitation shall be considered as a representation that Respondent; (1) has carefully investigated all conditions that affect, or may at some future date, affect the performance of the Services covered by this Solicitation, (2) is fully informed concerning conditions to be encountered, the character, quality and quantity of the Service to be performed and the work product to be furnished, and (3) is familiar with what is required to perform the

Services covered by this Solicitation. The contents of Respondent's Response shall become a contractual obligation if

Respondent is awarded the Contract. Failure to accept these obligations in a contractual agreement shall result in cancellation of the Award.

5.13. Public Tally

Individual Scorers review of the Responses will publicly be opened, and the total scores will be read aloud on July 31, 2025, at 10:00am (subject to Change).

Public Tally shall be via a recorded, online “Microsoft Teams” meeting, use link listed below:

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Meeting ID: 254 224 319 501 3

Passcode: hG9nZ2W6

5.14. Protest Procedures

Solicitation Protest Procedures. Any Response award recommendation may be challenged on the grounds of material irregularities in the procurement procedure or in the scoring of the Response. Any person who submits a Response, but is not recommended for award of the contract, may protest such decision in strict compliance with this section. Failure to follow the Solicitation Protest Procedures within the time frames prescribed herein shall constitute a waiver of such protest and any resulting claims.

1. Notice of Intent to File a Protest. Any person who wishes to file a protest hereunder must file a Notice of Intent to

File a Protest (“Notice”), in writing, with Department of Management and Budget (“DMB”) within 72 hours of posting of a recommendation of award. Such Notice is considered filed when it is received by DMB. A copy of the Notice must also be provided to the apparent best Consultant. The Notice shall include the name and address of the protester, county RFQ number and title, grounds upon which it is based, and must clearly indicate it is a Notice of

Intent to File a Protest.

2. Formal Protest. Within five (5) business days after the filing of the written Notice of Intent to File a Protest, a formal protest must be filed with DMB. The formal protest is considered filed when it is received by DMB. A copy of the formal protest must also be provided to the apparent best Consultant. The formal protest shall include the following:

a. County RFQ number and title.

b. Name and address of the protester.

c. Concise statement of the facts alleged and of the rules, regulations, ordinances, statutory or constitutional provision, or other legal authorities entitling the protester to the relief requested.

d. Specifically request the relief to which the protester deems themselves entitled.

e. Any other relevant information that the protester deems to be material to the protest.

3. Protest Bond. Each formal protest must be accompanied by a protest bond in the form of a certified check, cashier’s check, or money order made payable to Citrus County, Florida, in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the protester’s Response submitted to County. If the protester prevails, the bond shall be returned to the protester.

However, if after completion of the Solicitation Protest Procedures County denies the protest, the bond shall be forfeited to County.

4. Stay of Procurement. Once a formal protest is timely filed, DMB shall stay the award of the contract unless

County Administrator determines that delaying the award of the contract will adversely impact substantial interests of County.

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5. Review of Protest by DMB. Within ten (10) business days of the filing of the formal protest, the DMB Director shall issue a written determination, including the rationale for reaching such a determination. The written determination shall also inform the protester of his/her right to appeal the DMB Director’s decision to County Administrator.

6. Appeal of DMB Determination. The protester may appeal DMB Director’s determination, in writing, to County

Administrator no later than five (5) business days after receipt of the DMB Director’s determination.

7. Final Determination of County Administrator. Within seven (7) business days of the filing of the appeal, County

Administrator, upon consulting with County Attorney, shall issue a final determination. The decision of County

Administrator will be final.

If needed, a designee will be appointed for the DMB Director and/or County Administrator if they are unable to participate in the protest procedures as outlined hereto.

6. Evaluation of Responses

Evaluation Criteria and Selection Process

Points will be assigned to all criteria and totaled to determine Respondent’s ranking based on the following:

No. Evaluation Criteria Weight of Importance (Score)

1 Title Page 0

2 Letter of Transmittal 0

3 Company Information and

Qualifications

4 Personnel Proposed and

Qualifications

5 Technical Strength and

Support Capability

6 Specifications and Approach to the Services to be

Performed

7 Required forms, documents, and supporting information

8 MBE Certification 2.5

Total Possible Points for

Response Evaluation (Criteria

1-8)

102.5

Total Possible Points for Oral

Presentations (if applicable)

Scoring of the Responses

The scoring of the Responses will be performed by Individual Scorers and will be based on the scoring criteria noted in the above table. Each scoring criteria is assigned a weight based upon the importance of the criteria.

Individual Scorers will score each Respondent's written Response and assign score for each criterion. Each discipline

Respondents are applying for will be scored separately. The score can be zero to the maximum value, as noted in the table above.

Scores given by all Individual Scorers for each criterion will then be averaged to arrive at a single criterion score for each

Respondent.

Scores for evaluation criteria#1-#7 for each Respondent will be totaled. If a Respondent were given a perfect score, that

Respondent would receive a total score of 100.

Should there be a tie between Respondents, Respondent with the highest average score for the evaluation criteria titled

“Technical Strength and Support Capability" shall be ranked higher.

At the election of the Individual Scorers, three or more of the highest-ranking Respondents could be invited to make an oral presentation to the Individual Scorers. Such a presentation will provide an opportunity for the Respondents to provide additional information concerning their company and personnel, and to respond to questions that the Individual Scorers may have for clarifying the information provided in the Respondent's Response.

Each Respondent who gives an oral presentation will be scored and assigned a score of zero (0) to twenty (20), as noted in the table above. The scores given by all Individual Scorers for each Respondent will then be averaged to arrive at a single oral presentation score.

If oral presentations are conducted, the scores developed from the Response evaluation shall be added to the oral presentations score to arrive at an overall evaluation score and the Respondents will once again be ranked highest

(favorable) to lowest (unfavorable).

Should there be a tie between oral presentation scores, the Respondent with the highest average score for the criteria titled “Specifications and Approach to the Services to be Performed” shall be chosen.

During the award process, the County may require supplemental information in order to fairly evaluate a Respondent's qualifications. For this purpose, County may request such information from the Respondent after initial submittal. If such information is required, Respondent will be notified in writing and allowed a reasonable period of time to submit the information.

County reserves the right to reject any or all Responses, to waive any irregularities or formalities in the Responses received and to change the scoring process described above if circumstances dictate this or it is otherwise in the best interest of County to do so. In the event a Response is rejected or otherwise does not result in a contract award, County shall not be liable for any costs incurred by the Respondent in connection with the preparation and submittal of their

Response. Additionally, at the discretion of County, County may elect not to pursue this avenue and abandon the solicitation entirely.

Response Scoring and Award

County reserves the right to (1) cancel this Solicitation, (2) reject any or all Responses, (3) waive any or all irregularities in the Responses, (4) modify the Scope of the Work, or (5) disregard all nonconforming, non-responsive, unbalanced or conditional Responses, as long as such does not give Respondent an advantage or benefit not enjoyed by the other

Respondents or does not adversely impact the interests of County. County reserves the right to re-advertise the Solicitation, when it is in the best interest of County. County also reserves the right to reject the Response of any Respondent if County believes that it would not be in its best interest to make an award to that Respondent, whether because the Response is non-responsive, or Respondent is unqualified or of doubtful financial ability or fails to meet any other pertinent standard or criteria established by County.

In scoring Responses, County shall consider (1) the qualifications of Respondents, (2) whether or not the Responses comply with the prescribed requirements, (3) the qualifications and experience of Respondent's proposed subcontractors, and (4) any additional terms and conditions, exceptions or variances stipulated by Respondent.

County may conduct investigations, seek clarifications, or request any information as County deems necessary to assist in the evaluation of any Response and to establish the responsibility, qualifications and financial ability of Respondent and their proposed subcontractors. Failure to provide requested information may result in rejection of the Response.

County shall issue a written Notice of Intent to Award, if any, to the Successful Respondent, however, no contract shall be formed between the Successful Respondent and County until approved at a Citrus County Board of County

Commissioner’s Meeting.

Responsiveness of the Responses and Disqualification

A responsive Response is one…