RFQ 40893 Districtwide Surveying Services.pdf

RFQ #40893

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THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE

ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

DISTRICTWIDE SURVEYING SERVICES

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS 40893

The Governing Board of the St. Johns River Water Management District (the “District”) requests that interested parties respond to the solicitation below by 2:00 p.m., April 3, 2025. Further information is available through DemandStar at demandstar.com, Vendor Registry at vendorregistry.com, the state of Florida’s MyFloridaMarketPlace at myfloridamarketplace.com, Central Bidding at centralbidding.com, or the District’s website at sjrwmd.com. Solicitation packages may be obtained from DemandStar, Vendor Registry, MyFloridaMarketPlace, Central Bidding, or the District by emailing Mark Morris , Procurement Specialist, at rmmorris@sjrwmd.com. Responses will be opened in Conference Room 147, Administration Building, Palatka Headquarters, 4049 Reid Street, Palatka, Florida 32177-2571.

Project Description

The District desires to enter into an agreement with professional surveying firm(s) licensed to do business in the state of Florida, which has Professional Surveyors licensed in the state of Florida. The work to be performed under the agreement includes specific purpose surveys prepared in accordance with the Standards of Practice for Surveying and Mapping pursuant to Chapters 5J-17 and 61G17-6, Florida Administrative Code.

Additionally, the District periodically has opportunities to acquire lands in order to manage, protect and preserve those lands for the residents of the State of Florida. To ensure fair and impartial land boundary dimensions, locations, and property sizes, the District has a need to contract with independent survey and mapping consultants to provide an unbiased determination of these land qualities.

Specific surveying services to be performed under this Agreement may include boundary, topographic, bathymetric, mean high water line determination, and subsurface utilities location.

The District encompasses all or part of the following counties: Brevard, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia. Counties partially in the District are Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Lake, Marion, Okeechobee, Orange and Osceola. Within these counties, the District’s land interests and holdings vary including densely vegetated lands, marshes, swamps, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, canals, and flooded lands. The surveying services may be required in any one of these counties or occasionally adjacent counties.

It is the District’s intention to award a contract to a minimum of two (2) firms under this RFQ. All work under the awarded contract(s) shall be performed through Work Orders. Each awarded contract shall be executed for an initial term of three years and will include an option to renew the contract for two, 12-month terms. The estimated budget for the initial term is $300,000 (through September 30, 2027). Funding is contingent upon availability of funds for each fiscal year.

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The District will conduct the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process as follows:

Date Description

2:00 pm, April 3, 2025 Submittals due

10:00 am and 2:00 pm (if needed), April 16, 2025

Evaluation Committee meets to review the submittals

April 17, 2025 District issues Notice of Intended Decision notifying Respondents of rankings

May 13, 2025 District Governing Board consideration to approve a ranking of designated firms and competitive negotiations be instituted.

May 15, 2025 District enters into fee schedule negotiations with the highest-ranked Respondent.

Additional negotiations, if any, shall take place with the other Respondents in ranked order.

One or more members of the District’s Evaluation Committee may attend the above meetings via Communication Media Technology, such as Microsoft Teams. Public attendance is available at the address listed above.

Any Submittal (defined herein) received after the date and time stated will not be considered and will be returned to Respondent unopened. The District reserves the right to waive any minor deviations in an otherwise valid Submittal to the solicitation process and to reject any or all Submittals to this Request For Qualifications.

This solicitation is issued subject to the legal requirements established under Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act, §287.055, Fla. Stat., and Rules 40C-1.709 – 40C-1.718, FA.C.

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) The District does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities. Special accommodations for disabilities may be requested through Mark Morris, or by calling (800) 955-8771 (TTY), at least five business days before the date needed.

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SUBMITTAL CHECKLIST

This Submittal Checklist is provided for the convenience of Respondent and shall not be relied upon in lieu of the instructions or requirements of this solicitation. To ensure that the Submittal is complete and to maximize the number of points Respondent may receive, please review the following items to confirm that they have been addressed and are included in the Submittal. Do not return this checklist with your Submittal.

QUALIFICATION SUBMITTAL

Has Respondent met the submission deadline established in the solicitation?

Does the electronic file contain all required documentation to meet the requirements stated in the solicitation documents?

Is Respondent in good standing with the Florida Secretary of State (corporations and partnerships)?

Has Respondent prepared, organized, and completed the Submittal correctly?

Transmittal Letter/Letter of Interest.

Tab 1 – Respondent’s and subconsultants’ overall capabilities to conduct work as presented in the Statement of Work

☐ Submittal Form ☐ Proposed Subconsultants Form ☐ Certificate as to Entity’s Authority to do Business in Florida ☐ Affidavit as to Non-Collusion and Certification of Material Conformance with Specifications ☐ Drug-Free Workplace Form (not required unless there is a tie submittal) ☐ Florida business licenses for Respondent and Subconsultants ☐ Florida Professional Surveying and Mapping license provided by Florida Department of

Agriculture and Consumer Services and a copy of all other professional and business licenses required for other project staff and Respondent. Failure to provide copies of such licenses may result in Respondent being deemed non-responsible.

☐ Evidence of the number of employees currently employed by Respondent and its subconsultants; and Respondent’s and its subconsultant’s average annual volume of work for the past three years

Tab 2 – Past and present experience on projects of this type ☐ Qualifications forms (General and Similar Projects/Client References) ☐ Submit a brief summary (NTE three pages) of the approach Respondent typically uses to accomplish similar projects within similar project timeframes. The summary should include an outline of the steps, methods, and procedures utilized to complete projects as described in the Statement of Work. The approach should reflect previous experience and current knowledge of the specifications, and other project components used in projects such as the one described in the Statement of Work.

☐ Describe current and completed work performed by firm and key personnel on similar projects that have utilized alternative surveying methodologies.

Tab 3 – Key Personnel and Project Management.

☐ Identify key personnel ☐ Functions and availability of key personnel ☐ Documentation of required years of experience applicable to the Project ☐ Contact information ☐ Resumes for all key personnel ☐ Description of prior roles and responsibilities in past projects

Tab 4 – Location of Respondent’s project manager Tab 5 – Volume of District work previously awarded to Respondent.

Tab 6 – Additional Information.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDENTS ................................................................................................... - 5 -

1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. - 5 -

2. DEFINITIONS ...................................................................................................................... - 5 -

3. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION ...................................................................................... - 5 -

4. WHERE TO DELIVER SUBMITTAL ................................................................................. - 5 -

5. OPENING OF SUBMITTALS.............................................................................................. - 6 -

6. ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF QUALIFICATIONS ..................................................... - 6 -

7. PREPARATION AND ORGANIZATION OF THE SUBMITTAL .................................... - 6 - 8 INQUIRIES AND ADDENDA ............................................................................................. - 9 -

9. BUDGET ESTIMATE ........................................................................................................ - 10 -

10. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS ........................................................................................ - 10 -

11. SIGNATURE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS .............................................. - 11 -

12. DISQUALIFICATION OF RESPONDENTS .................................................................... - 11 -

13. REJECTION OF SUBMITTAL .......................................................................................... - 12 -

14. EXAMINATION OF AGREEMENT DOCUMENTS AND WORK AREA ..................... - 12 -

15. PROHIBITION AGAINST CONSIDERING SOCIAL, POLITICAL OR

IDEOLOGICAL INTERESTS IN GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING - 287.05701,

FLA. STAT. ......................................................................................................................... - 12 -

16. INELIGIBILITY OF RESPONDENT ..................................................................................- 13 -

17. FLORIDA SALES TAX ..................................................................................................... - 13 -

18. EVALUATION CRITERIA ................................................................................................ - 14 -

19. EVALUATION AND AWARD PROCEDURES ............................................................... - 15 -

20. WITHDRAWAL OF SUBMITTAL ................................................................................... - 16 -

21. EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT ....................................................................................... - 16 -

22. NOTICES AND SERVICES THEREOF ............................................................................ - 16 -

23. PROTEST PROCEDURES ................................................................................................. - 16 -

FORMS ....................................................................................................................................................... - 18 - SUBMITTAL FORM .............................................................................................................................. - 18 - PROPOSED SUBCONSULTANTS ....................................................................................................... - 19 - CERTIFICATE AS TO ENTITY’S AUTHORITY TO DO BUSINESS IN FLORIDA .........................- 20 -

AFFIDAVIT AS TO NON-COLLUSION AND CERTIFICATION OF MATERIAL

CONFORMANCE WITH SPECIFICATIONS....................................................................................... - 21 - QUALIFICATIONS — GENERAL ....................................................................................................... - 22 - QUALIFICATIONS — SIMILAR PROJECTS/CLIENT REFERENCES ............................................ - 23 - DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE FORM ..................................................................................................... - 26 - NO RESPONSE FORM .......................................................................................................................... - 27 - DRAFT AGREEMENT ........................................................................................................................- 28 - ATTACHMENT A — STATEMENT OF WORK ................................................................................. - 47 - ATTACHMENT B — INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................... - 49 - ATTACHMENT C — DISTRICT’S SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTIONS (sample) .......................... - 50 - ATTACHMENT D - COMMON CARRIER ATTESTATION ………………………… ..................... - 51 - ATTACHMENT E — HUMAN TRAFFICKING ATTESTATION ...................................................... - 52 - ATTACHMENT F - WORK ORDER AUTHORIZATION (sample).................................................... - 53 -

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INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

This Request for Qualifications (“Solicitation”) to provide Districtwide Surveying Services (“Services”) invites Responses (the words, “Response” and “Submittal” have the same meaning in these documents) according to the requirements set forth in this Solicitation, Through this RFQ, the District is seeking to procure qualified and experienced professionals, as contemplated in §287.055, Fla. Stat., and Rules 40C-1.709 – 40C-1.718, FA.C., Respondents understand and agree that any expenditure they make in preparation and delivery of their Submittals or in the performance of any services requested by the District in connection with the Submittals or in response to this RFQ, are exclusively at the expense of the Respondents. In addition, the District shall not pay or reimburse any expenditure or other expense incurred by any Respondent for the following:

(a) Anticipation of an award of a contract;

(b) Maintenance of licensure and qualifications, if a contract is awarded; or

(c) Administrative or judicial proceedings resulting from the solicitation process.

2. DEFINITIONS

The definitions of capitalized terms used in this solicitation that are not otherwise defined herein can be found in the sample contract document (the “Agreement”) that is at the end of these instructions. The Agreement includes these Instructions to Respondents, any addenda published by the District, and all required certifications and affidavits.

3. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

All inquiries related to this solicitation may only be directed to the Procurement Specialist:

Mark Morris, Procurement Specialist Phone: (386) 329-4264 Email: rmmorris@sjrwmd.com

Between the release of this solicitation and the posting of the notice of intended decision, Respondents to this solicitation or persons acting on their behalf may not contact any employee or officer of the District concerning any aspect of this solicitation, except the procurement employee listed above. Violation of this provision is grounds for rejecting a Submittal.

4. WHERE TO DELIVER SUBMITTAL

Respondent must submit its response either by uploading to DemandStar or Central Bidding or in “digital format”. Instructions for submitting are provided below.

Submittals can be uploaded directly to www.demandstar.com OR to www.centralbidding.com, NOT

BOTH; OR

http://www.demandstar.com/ http://www.centralbidding.com/

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Digital Submittals can be mailed or hand-delivered in a sealed envelope. For digital Submittals, Respondents must clearly label the Submittal envelope with large bold, and/or colored lettering (place label on inner envelope if double sealed) as follows:

Prospective Respondents must submit information pertaining to their qualifications to successfully perform the Work as set forth in the solicitation.

SEALED SUBMITTAL — DO NOT OPEN

Respondent’s Name: _______________________________ Request for Qualifications: 40893 Opening Time: 2:00 P.M.

Opening Date: April 3, 2025

Mark Morris, Procurement Specialist Attn: Office of Financial Services St. Johns River Water Management District 4049 Reid St.

Palatka, FL 32177-2571

DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR SUBMITTAL BY EMAIL — THIS WILL RESULT IN THE SUBMITTAL

BEING REJECTED AS NONRESPONSIVE.

5. OPENING OF QUALIFICATIONS SUBMITTALS

Respondents or their authorized agents are invited to attend the opening of the Submittals at the following date, time, and place:

April 3, 2025, 2:00 P.M.

St. Johns River Water Management District Headquarters 4049 Reid Street, Palatka, Florida 32177-2571

The Florida Public Records Act, §119.071(1)(b), Fla. Stat., exempts sealed submittals and proposals from inspection and copying until such time as the District provides notice of an intended decision pursuant to §120.57(3)(a), Fla. Stat., or until 30 days after opening of bids, proposals, submittals, or final replies, whichever is earlier. This exemption is not waived by the public opening of the submittals or proposals.

Unless otherwise exempt, Respondent’s Submittal are public records subject to disclosure upon expiration of the above exemption period. If any information submitted with the Submittal is a trade secret as defined in §812.081, Fla. Stat., and exempt from disclosure pursuant to §815.04, Fla. Stat., Respondent must clearly identify any such material as “CONFIDENTIAL TRADE SECRET” in its Submittal AND explain the basis for such exemption. The District reserves the right, in its sole judgment and discretion, to reject a Submittal for excessive or unwarranted assertion of trade secret confidentiality and return the Submittal to Respondent.

6. ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF QUALIFICATIONS

Respondent must submit its Qualifications Submittal in “electronic” format. The District recommends that Respondents confirm the files on the pin/flash/thumb drive open correctly on a non-company owned computer. Any electronic submittal received by the District that does not open on a District-owned computer is subject to rejection as a defective response. Instructions for submitting are below.

All electronically submitted files shall be saved to a pin/flash/thumb drive. The pin/flash/thumb drives MUST be placed in separate sealed envelopes pursuant to the instructions under “WHERE TO

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DELIVER QUALIFICATIONS” for sealed responses — DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR RESPONSE BY

EMAIL — THIS WILL RESULT IN THE QUALIFICATIONS SUBMITTAL BEING

REJECTED AS NON-RESPONSIVE.

a. All blank spaces on the District-provided forms and documents must be typewritten or legibly printed in ink.

b. In the event you decline to submit a Qualifications Submittal, the District would appreciate submittal of the “No Response Form” provided at the end of the “FORMS” section to describe the reason for not submitting a Qualifications Submittal.

All of the forms and questionnaires in the RFQ solicitation package are available upon request in Microsoft® Word to aid the Respondent in submitting its Qualifications Submittal.

Do NOT password protect the pin/flash/thumb drive or your files. Use a naming convention similar to those show below for each pin/flash/thumb drive.

RFQ Qualifications Submittal: RFQ # Respondent’s name (abbreviated) Due Date Example: “RFQ 12345 ABC Venture LLC. 01-01-2025”

7. PREPARATION AND ORGANIZATION OF THE SUBMITTAL

It is Respondent’s responsibility to include information in its Response to present all relevant qualifications and other materials. The Response, however, should not contain standard marketing or other general materials. The requirements set forth below represent the minimum content for the Response. It is the Respondent’s responsibility to modify such standard marketing or general materials so that only directly relevant information is included in the Response.

Tab 1 – Respondents’ and subconsultants’ overall capabilities to conduct work as presented in the Statement of Work. (Respondent must complete all District-provided forms shown below.)

NOTE: Do not alter or revise any of the District’s forms other than to add the information requested. Altering or revising District forms may result in the Submittal being deemed nonresponsive.

(a) Submittal Form

(b) Proposed Subconsultants Form

(c) Certificate as to Entity’s Authority to do Business in Florida

(d) Affidavit as to Non-Collusion and Certification of Material Conformance with

Specifications

(e) Drug-Free Workplace Form (not required unless there is a tie submittal)

(f) Florida business licenses for Respondent and Subconsultants

(g) Florida Professional Surveying and Mapping license provided by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and a copy of all other professional and business licenses required for other project staff and Respondent. Failure to provide copies of such licenses may result in Respondent being deemed non-responsible.

(h) Evidence of the number of employees currently employed by Respondent and its subconsultants; and Respondent’s and its subconsultant’s average annual volume of work for the past three years.

All required forms must be completed. Respondents may not modify or alter the forms.

Tab 2 – Past and present experience on projects of this type Provide required forms as indicated below. Respondent is responsible for providing information to document its and its subconsultants’ past and present experience.

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(a) Complete and submit the Qualifications – General and Qualifications - Similar Projects/Client References forms provided.

(b) Submit a brief summary (not to exceed three pages) of the approach Respondent typically uses to accomplish similar projects within similar project timeframes. The summary should include an outline of the steps, methods, and procedures utilized to complete projects as described in the Statement of Work. The approach should reflect previous experience and current knowledge of the specifications, and other project components used in projects such as the one described in the Statement of Work.

(c) Describe current and completed work performed by firm and key personnel on similar projects that have utilized alternative surveying methodologies.

Tab 3 – Key Personnel and Project Management No forms are provided for this criterion — however, the Respondent is responsible for providing evaluative documentation that:

(a) Identifies Respondent’s key personnel (project manager, engineer, and on-site superintendent). Include all of the following information:

1. Functions and availability of key personnel.

2. Documentation of required years of experience applicable to the Project.

a) The Surveyor of Record and/or lead surveyor shall have at least five years of experience on projects of a similar nature.

3. Contact information.

4. Resumes for all key personnel (include special expertise and any certifications relevant to the work).

5. Description of prior roles and responsibilities in past projects

(projects of a similar nature are preferred and will receive additional consideration)

(b) Demonstrates it has the necessary project management skills and contingency procedures to assure the District that it is capable of successfully performing the Work in a timely and cost-effective manner within the established budget;

(c) Details the recent, current, and projected workloads of the firm and what impact these workloads will have on the performance of the Work on this contract; and

(d) Justifies the Respondent’s technical approach for performing the Work, whether through traditional means or through novel means (alternative methodologies). All things being otherwise equal, those Respondents who include well-reasoned and thoroughly vetted approaches and who will guarantee results within the accuracy or tolerances required by the Statement of Work, will receive higher scores.

Tab 4 – Location of Respondent’s project manager.

Higher consideration will be given to firms whose project manager is located within 75 miles of any one of the following District locations:

• District Headquarters (4049 Reid Street, Palatka FL 32177)

• Jacksonville Service Center (7775 Baymeadows Way, Suite 102, Jacksonville FL 32256)

• Apopka Service Center (2501 S. Binion Road, Apopka FL 32703)

• Lake Apopka Field Station (25633 County Road 448A · Mount Dora, FL 32757)

Palm Bay Service Center (525 Community College Parkway SE, Palm Bay FL 32909)

The website Google Maps (using the “shortest” route type) should be utilized to determine mileage.

The District will award points as follows:

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• Within 75 miles of one of the District locations referenced above = 10 points

• More than 75 miles of one of the District locations referenced above = 0 points

Tab 5 –Volume of District work previously awarded to Respondent.

No forms are provided for this criterion — however, the Respondent is responsible to submit documentation as to the volume of work (in dollars) awarded by the District to firm in the past three years, including contracts, work orders and purchase orders.

Tab 6 – Additional Information.

• Standard brochures and specifications may be submitted as additional material but shall not be submitted as the primary qualification data (information included under this tab will not receive a score).

Except where page limits are indicated, Respondent is encouraged to include as much pertinent data and information under each section as necessary to ensure proper evaluation of its qualifications. Each section shall be evaluated separately on its own merit.

Respondent must follow all procedures for electronic submission or the Respondent’s Submittal may be determined as “non-responsive” and rejected.

Unless directed otherwise, all information required by the solicitation, including the forms above must be completed (typed or hand written) and included in the submission in electronic format (forms must be completed and converted/scanned to PDF format (Adobe).

The Submittal must include a separator page between each “Tabbed” section:

Example: Tab 1 – Background and Qualifications

A RESPONDENT’S SUBMITTAL MAY BE REJECTED AS NON-RESPONSIVE FOR (1) FAILING

TO COMPLETE ALL FORMS AND QUESTIONNAIRES; (2) FAILING TO PROVIDE ALL

REQUIRED MATERIALS; OR (3) OTHERWISE FAILING TO COMPLY WITH INSTRUCTIONS

FOR PREPARATION AND ORGANIZATION OF SUBMITTAL

8. INQUIRIES AND ADDENDA

District staff are not authorized to orally interpret the meaning of the specifications or other Agreement documents, or correct any apparent ambiguity, inconsistency, or error therein. In order to be binding upon the District, the interpretation or correction must be given by the Procurement Specialist and must be in writing. The Procurement Specialist may orally explain the District’s procedures and assist Respondents in referring to any applicable provision in the solicitation documents, but the Respondent is ultimately responsible for submitting the Submittal in the appropriate form and in accordance with written procedures.

Every request for a written interpretation or correction must be received at least nine days prior to the opening of the Submittal to be considered. Requests should be submitted by email at rmmorris@sjrwmd.com. Interpretations, corrections, and supplemental instructions will be communicated by written addenda to this solicitation posted by the solicitation advertising portals identified on Page 1 to all prospective Respondents (at the respective addresses furnished for such purposes) no later than five days before the opening of the Submittal.

Submission of a Submittal constitutes acknowledgment of receipt of all addenda and construed as though all addenda have been received. Failure of the Respondent to receive any addenda does not relieve Respondent from any and all obligations under the Submittal as it was submitted. All addenda become part of the Agreement.

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9. BUDGET ESTIMATE

The District’s estimated budget for the services outlined in the Statement of Work for the initial term of May 2025 through September 30, 2027, is $300,000 ($100,000 per District fiscal year) for all contracts awarded under this solicitation. The awarded contract(s) will include a renewal option of two, 12-month terms.

This amount is an estimate only and does not limit the District in awarding the Agreement. Respondents are cautioned to not make any assumptions from the estimate about the total funds available for the Work. The District retains the right to adjust the estimated budget in awarding the Agreement. The District also reserves the right to reject all Submittals that are over the budget estimate. In addition, the District reserves the right to increase, decrease, or delete any class, item, or part of the Work to reduce costs for any reason. The District may discuss alternatives for reducing the cost of the Work with Respondents and make such modifications as it determines to be in its best interest.

10. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Respondent must use the “Qualification” forms (General and Similar Projects) provided in these documents to document the minimum qualifications listed below. Failure to include these forms with the Submittal may be considered non-responsive.

a. Similar Projects. Respondent (or a combination of the firm, individual, or project manager assigned to the work) must have successfully completed at least three projects of a similar nature (boundary, topographic or bathymetric surveying services as described in the Statement of Work) in the five years immediately preceding the date set for receipt of submittals. All of the projects must be located within the state of Florida, and each project must also have a surveying services value of at least $40,000. No more than one similar project may be a District project.(Respondent must use form Qualifications – Similar Projects provided under the section “FORMS”; include under Tab 2)

The similar projects provided in response to this minimum qualification will be used as client reference and to verify Respondent’s qualifications and past performance record. No more than one of the references may be from completed District projects. If a District project is cited, do not request a letter from District staff.

b. Surveying Experience. Respondent shall have at least (5) five years’ experience in performing boundary, topographic, and bathymetric surveying. (Respondent must use form Qualifications – General provided under the section “FORMS”; include under Tab 2)

c. Licenses. Respondent must be a Florida licensed professional Surveyor and Mapper or a duly qualified professional Surveying corporation or partnership and Respondent’s Surveyor of record (the person who will be responsible for the preparation, signing, dating, sealing and issuing of any survey documents for any surveying service or creative work provided under this contract), must hold a current and active professional Surveying and Mapping license provided by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (Respondent must provide documentation of license; include under Tab 1).

For Similar Projects and Client References:

For the qualifying similar projects and client references, Respondent must provide all the information requested on the forms. If a District project is cited, do not request a letter from District staff. Respondent is cautioned to ensure that the contact information (names, email addresses, and phone numbers) is correct, and that the proposed contact is amenable to speak with District

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Respondent’s Submittal may be considered non-responsive if: (1) the information provided by Respondent cannot be verified by the District; (2) the proposed contact person fails to respond to the District’s inquiry; or (3) the proposed contact person fails to provide evidence of Respondent’s successful completion of the project or provide a satisfactory client reference. (Complete the District-provided forms.)

Irrespective of the minimum qualifications stated above, the District may make such investigations as it deems necessary to determine the ability of the Respondent to perform the Work. The District reserves the right to reject any Submittal if the evidence submitted by such Respondent and/or the District’s independent investigation of such Respondent fails to satisfy the District that such Respondent is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the Agreement and complete the Work in a manner acceptable to the District within the time period specified.

11. SIGNATURE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

An individual submitting a Submittal must sign his/her name therein and state his/her address and the name and address of every other person interested in the submission as principal. If a firm or partnership provides the submission, state the name and address of each member of the firm or partnership. If a corporation provides the submission, an authorized officer or agent must sign the submission subscribing the name of the corporation with his or her own name and affixing the corporate seal. Such officer or agent must also provide the name of the state under which the corporation is chartered, and the names and business addresses of the President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Corporations chartered in states other than Florida must submit evidence of registration with the Florida Secretary of State for doing business in the state of Florida. Respondent must certify that all persons or entities having an interest as principal in the submission or in substantial performance of the Work have been identified.

12. DISQUALIFICATION OF RESPONDENTS

Any of the following causes will be considered as sufficient grounds for disqualification of a Respondent and rejection of the Submittal:

(a) Contacting a District employee or officer other than the procurement employee named in this solicitation about any aspect of this solicitation before the notice of intended decision is posted.

(b) Submission of more than one Submittal for the same subject matter by an individual, firm, partnership, or corporation under the same or different names.

(c) Evidence of collusion among Respondents.

(d) Submission of materially false information with the Submittal.

(e) Information gained through checking of references or other sources which indicates that Respondent may not successfully perform the Work.

(f) Incomplete contractual commitment(s) to other persons or entities, which, in the sole judgment of the District, may hinder or prevent the prompt completion of the Work if awarded to Respondent.

(g) Respondent has failed or is failing to adequately perform on any contract with the District (regardless of whether or not such performance failure has been cured), including without limitation: (1) a material breach thereof; (2) a failure to complete work in a timely manner or within the contract price when such failure is attributable to the actions or inactions of Respondent or Respondent’s subconsultants or suppliers, which may or may not result in the District issuing a cure notice;

(3) substandard quality of work, which may or may not result in a violation of a law, regulation, or building code; (4) any failure to cooperate with the District during performance of the contract; or

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(5) evidence of financial instability or irresponsibility, as may be indicated through notice of non-payment of claims or liens filed against Respondent’s bond or the District by Respondent’s subconsultants or suppliers.

(h) Respondent has defaulted on a previous contract with the District or other public entity, which may be evidenced by a successful claim on Respondent’s performance or payment bond due to the default.

(i) The evidence submitted by Respondent, or the District’s investigation of Respondent, fails to satisfy the District that Respondent is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the Agreement in a manner acceptable to the District and within the time period specified.

(j) Any other cause that is sufficient to raise doubt regarding the ability of a Respondent to perform the Work in a manner that meets the District’s objectives for the Work.

13. REJECTION OF SUBMITTAL

Submittals must be delivered to the specified location and received before the applicable opening dates and times in order to be considered. Untimely submissions will be returned to the Respondent unopened.

Submittals will be considered irregular and may be rejected if they show material omissions, alterations of forms, additions not called for, conditions, limitations, or other material irregularities. The District reserves the right to waive any minor deviations or irregularities in an otherwise valid submission.

The District reserves the right to reject any and all submissions and cancel this solicitation when it determines, in its sole judgment and discretion, that it is not in its best interest to award the Agreement.

In addition, the District reserves the right to increase, decrease, or delete any class, item, or part of the Work in order to reduce costs for any reason. The District may discuss alternatives for reducing the cost of the Work with Respondents and make such modifications as it determines to be in its best interest.

14. EXAMINATION OF AGREEMENT DOCUMENTS AND WORK AREA

Respondent is solely responsible for being fully informed of the conditions under which the Work is to be performed in relation to existing conditions. Respondent is responsible for carefully examining the general area of the Work, the requirements of the drawings, and other contract documents related to the Work, the time in which the Work must be completed, and any other details of the Work. Respondent must satisfy itself from its own personal knowledge and experience or professional advice as to the character of the Work, the conditions, and materials to be encountered, the character, quality, and quantities of the Work, and any other conditions affecting the Work, including surrounding land.

Failure to satisfy the obligations of this paragraph will not relieve a Successful Respondent of its obligation to furnish all material, equipment, and labor necessary to perform the Agreement and to complete the Work for the consideration set forth in its Proposal. Any such failure will not be sufficient cause to submit a claim for additional compensation.

No verbal agreement or conversation with any District officer, agent, or employee, either before or after the execution of the Agreement, will affect or modify any of its terms.

15. PROHIBITION AGAINST CONSIDERING SOCIAL, POLITICAL OR IDEOLOGICAL

INTERESTS IN GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING

Notice is hereby provided that pursuant to §287.05701, Fla. Stat., the District (1) will not request documentation of or consider a Respondent’s social, political, or ideological interests when determining if the Bidder is a responsible Bidder and (2) may not give preference to a Bidder based on the Bidder’s social, political, or ideological interests.

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16. INELIGIBILITY OF CONSULTANT

In accordance with §287.133, §287.134, and §287.135, Fla. Stat., a person or affiliate who has been (a) placed on the Scrutinized Companies (§287.135, Fla. Stat.), Discriminatory (§287.134, Fla. Stat.), or Convicted (§287.133, Fla. Stat.) lists, (b) engaged in a Boycott of Israel (§287.135, Fla. Stat.), or (c) engaged in business operations in Cuba or Syria (§287.135, Fla. Stat.) has limitations on its eligibility to participate in the solicitation process with a public entity, including, but not limited to, being ineligible to submit a bid, proposal, or reply on a contract to provide any goods or services, or for the construction or repair of a public building or public work, or for leases of real property to a public entity. Further, said person or affiliate may not be awarded or perform work as a consultant, contractor, supplier, or subconsultant under a contract with any public entity; and may not transact business with any public entity for a period of time as set forth in the respective statutes. Consultant affirms and assures that it is not now and during the term of this Agreement will not be in violation of this paragraph. Further, Consultant acknowledges that pursuant to the respective statutes, the District may terminate this Agreement at its sole option if Consultant is found to have submitted a false certification or if the certification proves to be untrue during the term of the Agreement.

17. FLORIDA SALES TAX

The District is exempt from payment of state of Florida sales tax pursuant to §212.08(6), Fla. Stat. Any tangible personal property that is the subject of this RFQ is intended to remain tangible personal property and not become part of a public work owned by the District.

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18. EVALUATION CRITERIA

Responses will be evaluated using the evaluation criteria below. The evaluation rating scale for the Submittal are as follows:

More than adequate ................................ 8 – 10 Less than adequate ........................................ 1 – 4 Adequate ................................................ 5 – 7 Not covered in Submittal

CRITERIA—QUALIFICATIONS SUBMITTAL Score Weight Total 1 Tab 1 — Respondent’s and subconsultants’ overall capabilities to conduct work as presented in the Statement of Work

Refer to Paragraph 7 – PREPARATION AND ORGANIZATION OF THE QUALIFICATIONS SUBMITTAL 30%

2 Tab 2 — Past and present experience on projects of this type

Refer to Paragraph 7 – PREPARATION AND ORGANIZATION OF THE QUALIFICATIONS SUBMITTAL 35%

3 Tab 3 – Key Personnel and Project Management

Refer to Paragraph 7 – PREPARATION AND ORGANIZATION OF THE QUALIFICATIONS SUBMITTAL 30%

4 Tab 4 – Location of Respondent’s project manager

Higher consideration will be given to firms whose project manager is located within 75 miles of any one of the following District locations:

District Headquarters (4049 Reid Street, Palatka FL 32177) Jacksonville Service Center (7775 Baymeadows Way, Suite 102, Jacksonville FL 32256) Apopka Service Center (2501 S. Binion Road, Apopka FL 32703) Lake Apopka Field Station (25633 County Road 448A · Mount Dora, FL 32757) Palm Bay Service Center (525 Community College Parkway SE, Palm Bay FL 32909)

The website Google Maps (using the “shortest” route type) should be utilized to determine mileage. The District will award points as follows:

• Within 75 miles of one of the District locations referenced above = 10 points

• More than 75 miles of one of the District locations referenced above = 0 points

2%

5 Tab 5—Volume of work previously awarded to Respondent by the District

Refer to Paragraph 7 – PREPARATION AND ORGANIZATION OF THE QUALIFICATIONS

SUBMITTAL

Points will be allocated from 0 to 10; Respondents with higher awarded contract totals in the last three years based on the solicitation response date of this RFQ shall receive fewer award points. Respondents with no previous work awards may receive the highest allocation of points (10). Respondent with the highest volume of work will receive zero points. The District shall rely on its official financial records to resolve any discrepancies. Contracts, work orders, and purchase orders issued by the District in the last three years shall be included in this total even if Respondent has not yet received payment.

The District shall calculate scores as follows: The amount awarded to Respondent with the highest volume of work in the last three years shall represent the Allocation Basis Total (ABT). The ABT less a Respondent’s total volume of work awarded shall be divided by the ABT and then multiplied by 10; the result rounded to the tenths shall represent Respondent’s score for this criterion.

3%

QUALIFICATIONS SUBMITTAL SCORE TOTAL: 100%

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19. EVALUATION AND AWARD PROCEDURES

(a) Submittals will be evaluated by an Evaluation Committee (Committee) based upon the criteria and weighting set forth in “EVALUATION CRITERIA.” The Committee will meet at District headquarters or another location as appropriate to discuss the Submittals and their evaluations. Each Committee member will complete an evaluation form for each Respondent, from which the overall ranking of Submittals will be complied. Evaluation forms may be submitted at or subsequent to the Committee meeting.

(b) Section 286.0113, Fla. Stat., exempts from being open to the public, any portion of a meeting at which: (1) a negotiation with a Respondent is conducted pursuant to a competitive solicitation; (2) a Respondent makes an oral presentation as part of a competitive solicitation; (3) a Respondent answers questions as part of a competitive solicitation; or (4) negotiation strategies are discussed.

Also, recordings of, and any records presented at, the exempt meeting are exempt from §119.07(1) Fla. Stat. and §24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution (Public Records) until such time as the District provides notice of an intended decision or until 30 days after opening the bids, proposals, submittals, or final replies, whichever occurs earlier. A complete recording shall be made of any portion of an exempt meeting. No portion of the exempt meeting may be held off the record.

(c) Pursuant to §286.0113 Fla. Stat., if the District rejects all Submittals and concurrently provides notice of its intent to reissue the competitive solicitation, any recordings or records presented at any exempt meeting relating to the solicitation shall remain exempt from §119.07(1) Fla. Stat. and §24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution (Public Records) until such time as the District provides notice of an intended decision concerning the reissued competitive solicitation or until the District withdraws the reissued competitive solicitation. A recording and any records presented at an exempt meeting are not exempt for longer than 12 months after the initial District notice rejecting all Submittals.

(d) Following the evaluation process, the District will submit the final ranking to the Governing Board for approval and that competitive negotiations be instituted, except for those instances in which the authority to negotiate, approve, and execute the Agreement(s) has been delegated by the Governing Board to the Executive Director, or designee. All Respondents will be notified in writing of the Evaluation Committee’s final ranking.

(e) Contract negotiations will then commence with the highest-ranked Respondents. If negotiations fail with the highest-ranked Respondent, negotiations will proceed with the other Respondents in ranked order.

(f) If two or more submissions are equal in all respects, the Agreement will be awarded as follows:

(1) to the Respondent that certifies compliance with §287.087, Fla. Stat., via the Drug-Free Workplace Form; (2) to a Respondent whose Proposal contains commodities manufactured, grown, or produced within the state of Florida pursuant to §287.082 Fla. Stat.; or (3) by lot.

(g) The Agreement(s) will be awarded to the highest-ranked Respondent(s), which successfully concludes negotiations with the District (the “Successful Respondent”). The Agreement(s) may be modified based on the District’s acceptance of any alternatives listed in this solicitation that the District deems in its best interest.

(h) The District reserves the right to award the Agreement to the next highest-ranked Respondent in the event the Successful Respondent fails to enter into the Agreement, or the Agreement with said Respondent is terminated within 90 days of the effective date.

(i) All Respondents will be notified of the District’s intent to award or decision to award the Agreement.

For the purpose of filing a proposal protest under §120.57(3), Fla. Stat., the time period will commence as provided in “NOTICES AND SERVICES THEREOF.”

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20. WITHDRAWAL OF SUBMITTAL

Respondent may withdraw its Submittal, if it submits such a written request to the District prior to the designated date and hour of opening of Submittal. Respondent may be permitted to withdraw its Submittal no later than 72 hours after the Submittal opening for good cause, as determined by the District in its sole judgment and discretion.

21. EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT

The submission of a Submittal binds the Successful Respondent to perform the Work upon acceptance and execution of the Agreement by the District.

Unless all Responses are rejected, a contract substantially in the form included in these documents will be provided to the Successful Respondent, who must execute and return the Agreement to the District within ten days of the date of receipt, along with the following:

(a) A completed Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 (do not include with response to this solicitation);

(b) Satisfactory evidence of all required insurance coverage;

(c) Proof satisfactory to the District of the authority of the person or persons executing the

Agreement on behalf of Respondent; and

(d) All other information and documentation required by the Agreement.

The District will not execute the Agreement until the above documents have been executed and delivered to the District. The Agreement will not be binding until executed by the District. A copy of the fully executed Agreement will be delivered to the Successful Respondent. The District reserves the right to cancel award of the Agreement without liability at any time before the Agreement has been fully executed by all parties and delivered to the Successful Respondent.

Failure upon the part of the Successful Respondent to execute the Agreement or timely submit the required evidence of insurance coverage, or any other matter required by the Agreement, will be just cause, if the District so elects, for the recommended award to be annulled.

22. NOTICES AND SERVICES THEREOF

The District will publish notice of specifications and criteria, including addenda, intended agency decisions, or other matters pertinent to this solicitation on the solicitation advertising portals identified on Page 1 and same may also be accessed through the District’s website at sjrwmd.com.

Notices will be posted for a minimum of 72 hours. The time period for filing a Notice of Protest pursuant to §120.57(3), Fla. Stat., and Rule 28-110.003, Fla. Admin. Code, commences at the time notices are posted.

As a courtesy to Respondents, the District may send copies of the notices of intended agency decisions via email to Respondent.