RFSQ-113-26-CC FINAL and Attach A and B.pdf

REQUEST FOR SUPPLIER QUALIFICATIONS

(RFSQ)

RFSQ-113-26-CC

Northwest Connector Corridor- Tharpe Street Civil Engineering Design Services

Release Date: September 17, 2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1 - INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDENTS

1.1 INTRODUCTION

1.2 PERSONNEL TO CONTACT ON THIS SOLICITATION

1.3 SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

1.4 MINORITY WOMEN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (MWBE)

1.5 ISSUANCE OF ADDENDA

1.6 SELECTION PROCESS

1.7 CONTRACT AWARD

1.8 RIGHT OF REJECTION

1.9 PROTEST PROCEDURES

1.10 GENERAL CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1.11 PUBLIC RECORDS

1.12 PROHIBITED COMMUNICATIONS

1.13 CERTIFICATION OF DRUG FREE WORKPLACE FORM

1.14 COSTS INCURRED BY CONSULTANTS

1.15 MODIFICATION/WITHDRAWAL OF SUBMITTALS

SECTION 2 – SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SECTION 3 – PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION

3.1 PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

3.2 TAB 1 – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (10 Points Max)

3.3 TAB 2 – REFERENCES (5 Points Max)

3.4 TAB 3 – RESPONDENT’S TECHNICAL PROPOSAL (75 Points Max)

3.5 TAB 4 – BLUEPRINT DOCUMENTS (MWSBE FORM) – (10 Points Max) ... 29

3.6 TAB 5 – ADDITIONAL REQUIRED FORMS

3.7 TAB 6 – ACKNOWLEDGED ADDENDA

3.8 EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS

3.9 OVERALL SCORE AND RANKING

SECTION 4 -SCOPE OF WORK

4.1 PURPOSE OF SOLICITATION

4.2 STANDARDS, GUIDELINES AND GOVERNING REGULATIONS

4.3 PROVISIONS FOR WORK

4.4 PROFESSIONAL SCOPE OF SERVICES

4.5 DELIVERABLES

4.6 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

ATTACHMENTS:

ATTACHMENT A – Scope of Services ATTACHMENT B – Contract Draft ATTACHMENT C – PD&E Summary

SECTION 1 - INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDENTS

1.1 INTRODUCTION

A. The Leon County – City of Tallahassee Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency (“Agency”) requests Proposals for professional services to complete the roadway design, permitting, utility coordination and construction plans for the Northwest Connector Corridor Tharpe Street Project (“Project”). The Project is located on Tharpe Street in northwest Tallahassee and is a component of Blueprint’s Northwest Connector Project. Tharpe Street is a local east-west roadway within the City of Tallahassee, under the jurisdiction of Leon County (County Road (CR) 158). Design services shall include field survey, engineering design, and utility coordination (as applicable).

The Consultant will be selected based on qualifications and the criteria as set forth in this RFSQ, and any addenda hereto. The Agency invites Consultants to submit Proposals to provide the professional services. These services are to be performed by professionals licensed to practice in the State of Florida and in compliance with the Consultants’ Competitive Negotiations Act ("CCNA”), Section 287.055, Florida Statutes. Pursuant to CCNA requirements, price proposals are not requested, and Local Preference will not apply for the evaluation and scoring process of this solicitation.

The Northwest Connector Project includes improvements to Tharpe Street from Capital Circle NW to Ocala Road, as well as to a collection of parks and trails generally in the northwest area of Leon County. Tharpe Street is a local east-west roadway within the City of Tallahassee, under the jurisdiction of Leon County (County Road 158). It is classified as an urban minor arterial. Along this segment of Tharpe Street between Capital Circle NW and Ocala Road, there are limited sidewalks and bicycle accommodation only in the first 0.25 miles of the project. It is a two-lane undivided facility with a posted speed of 40 mph from Capital Circle NW to Mission Road and 35 mph east from Mission Road to Ocala Road. West of the Project limits, Tharpe Street is a two-lane undivided minor arterial with sidewalks. East of the project limits, Tharpe Street is a four-lane divided arterial with sidewalks and bike lanes, extending to the intersection with Monroe St. (US 27).

The purpose of the Project to improve pedestrian safety, multimodal connectivity, traffic operations, and stormwater management. Community and facility needs are based on the evaluation of existing and anticipated deficiencies of the corridor.

The Agency will utilize the Blueprint Procurement Policy and City of Tallahassee Purchasing Manual for this solicitation. The City’s Purchasing and Procurement Division will administer this solicitation. The Evaluation Committee for the project may consist of staff from the City of Tallahassee, Leon County Government, and the Agency, and may include a non-scoring subject matter expert.

B. DEFINITIONS

The following definitions will apply to this solicitation in its entirety.

1. “Contract” as used in this solicitation means a written agreement with the

Agency, defining the aspects of the Project and the obligations of all parties involved that is intended to be enforceable by law.

2. “Consultant”, or “Respondent” as used in this solicitation means the individual or firm submitting a Proposal in response to this solicitation.

3. “Evaluation Committee” for this solicitation may consist of City of Tallahassee, Leon County, and Agency employees familiar with the Project requirements.

4. “Proposal” or “Technical Proposal” as used in this solicitation means a Proposal submitted by a prospective Consultant in response to the “Request for Supplier Qualifications” or “RFSQ” as detailed in Section 3 of this solicitation. The Proposal, if accepted by the Agency, would bind the Consultant to perform the resulting Contract between the Consultant and the Agency.

C. Proposals received by the Agency will be independently reviewed and assigned a score by the Evaluation Committee members per the criteria provided herein.

1.2 PERSONNEL TO CONTACT ON THIS SOLICITATION

A. The purchasing agent for this solicitation and contact information is listed below:

Corina Chiorescu Corina.Chiorescu@talgov.com Phone: 850-891-8025 City of Tallahassee, Procurement Services, 300 S. Adams Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301 mailto:Corina.Chiorescu@talgov.com

1. In order for an answer to be binding any questions related to this solicitation must be received in writing by the City of Tallahassee’s Purchasing and Procurement Division (“City”) by the date and time specified in the schedule of events. Material changes, if any, to the scope of services or submittal procedures will only be transmitted by written addendum.

2. Respondents shall not communicate with any Agency or City staff concerning this solicitation except for the Purchasing Agent identified in this section. Only those communications which are in writing from City Procurement Services shall be considered as a duly authorized response on behalf of Blueprint. For violation of this provision, the Agency reserves the right to reject a Respondent’s Response.

3. Respondents to this solicitation or persons acting on their behalf may not contact any employee or officer of the City or the Agency concerning any aspect of this solicitation, except in writing to the Purchasing Agent or as provided in the solicitation documents. Prohibited communications shall be in effect from the date and time solicitations are posted until the Agency awards or approves a contract, rejects all responses, or otherwise takes action which ends the solicitation process. Violation of this provision may be grounds for rejecting a Respondent’s Response.

B. SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR MEETINGS

1. Persons with disabilities, requiring reasonable accommodations to attend any scheduled meetings, please contact the Purchasing Agent at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance, excluding Saturday, Sunday, and City observed holidays.

2. For speech and hearing impaired: FRS TDD at 711.

1.3 SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

A. Each Respondent MUST, by the date and time set for receipt of proposals, accept, furnish and/or complete all documents specified in response to this solicitation. Failure to provide this information may be grounds for your submittal to be considered non-responsive.

B. The City of Tallahassee’s Procurement Portal (Procurement Portal) relies on

Euna Procurement (formerly Bonfire) to administer the competitive solicitation process, including but not limited to soliciting proposals, issuing addenda, posting results and issuing notification of an intended decision.

There is no charge to register and download the solicitation from the Procurement Portal. For step by step instructions on how to register on the Procurement Portal go to: https://www.talgov.com/doingbusiness/vendor-opportunities. Respondents are strongly encouraged to read the various Euna Procurement Articles, well in advance of submitting a proposal to ensure a successful submission on the Procurement Portal. The City shall not be responsible for a Respondents inability to submit a proposal by the due date and time for any reason, including issues arising from the use of Euna Procurement.

C. When submitting a response (proposal, quote or proposal) electronically through Euna Procurement, it is the sole responsibility of the Respondent to ensure that the response is received by Euna Procurement prior to the closing date and time. Each of the following steps in Euna Procurement MUST be completed in order to place an offer:

1. To access the Login https://talgov.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities

2. Locate the solicitation to which you are responding:

• Click the “Search’ tab on the top left of the page;

• Enter keyword for solicitation number and click “Search”

3. Click on the “Solicitation title/description” to open the solicitation Information

Page;

4. “View and Accept” documents in the documents section and complete all as required;

5. Select “Place Offer” found at the bottom of the page;

6. On the Line Item tab, enter pricing, notes and attachments as specified in the statement of work;

7. Click “Submit” at the bottom of the page;

8. Review offer; and

9. Enter your password and click “Confirm”.

The final step in submitting a response involves the Respondent’s acknowledgement that the information and documents entered into Euna Procurement are accurate and represent the supplier’s actual proposal, quote or proposal. This acknowledgement is registered in Euna Procurement when the supplier clicks “Confirm”. Euna Procurement will post a notice that the offer has been received. This notice from Euna Procurement MUST be recorded prior to the closing https://www.talgov.com/doingbusiness/vendor-opportunities https://www.talgov.com/doingbusiness/vendor-opportunities https://customer.eunasolutions.com/public/s/knowledge-base/bonfire-hub/vendor-registration https://talgov.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities date and time or the response will be considered late and will not be accepted. NOTE: RESPONSES ARE NOT VISIBLE UNTIL AFTER THE

DUE DATE AND TIME.

If in need of assistance with registration or submission of a proposal or to report a problem, reach out via email at support.bonfire@eunasolutions.com. The Euna Support Team is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm EST. Additional assistance is also available by submitting a service ticket via Customer Support.

D. EXPLANATIONS / INTERPRETATIONS

Any questions related to this solicitation must be submitted in writing through Euna Procurement via the Questions and Answers (Q&A) section and received by the Agency by the deadline date and time specified. The Purchasing Agent / Proposal Contact identified for this solicitation will respond to questions submitted via Euna Procurement in accordance with the solicitation timeline for answering questions.

Do not contact other Agency employees or representatives regarding this solicitation.

See Section 1.12 Prohibited Communication.

Oral explanations or instructions will not be binding. Any information given to a Respondent, which, in the opinion of the Procurement Services Office, affects all Respondents or would be prejudicial to other Respondents if not communicated, shall be furnished to all other Respondents as an addendum to the solicitation.

E. MANDATORY PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE

1. A mandatory pre-proposal conference is required. See Schedule of Events, Section 2.0, for date and time.

2. Respondents are cautioned that in no event shall failure to familiarize themselves with the requirements of this solicitation or to resolve ambiguous or inconsistent terms or conditions of this solicitation or proposed contract constitute grounds for a claim of any kind after contract award.

mailto:support.bonfire@eunasolutions.com https://eunasolutions.com/support/bonfire/

1.4 MINORITY WOMEN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (MWBE)

A. All Respondents, including Minority Business Enterprise (“MBE”) firms and Women

Business Enterprise (“WBE”) firms, must complete and submit the MWBE Participation Plan Form with their responses. Through submission of its response, the Respondent certifies, acknowledges, and agrees that Respondent will utilize MBE and WBE firms in compliance with the participation levels specified herein, and that those participation levels are accurate and true.

B. The Minority Women Small Business Enterprise (“MWSBE”) Policy of the City of

Tallahassee, Leon County Government, and the Agency applies to this solicitation.

This solicitation has a project specific goal for the participation of Minority Business Enterprise (“MBE”) and Women Business Enterprise (“WBE”) firms certified by the Office of Economic Vitality (“OEV”) MWSBE Division.

C. Project Specific MWSBE Goals:

Project Specific Goal Aggregate- Certified MWBE Participation 5%

Certified MBE and WBE firms may participate by providing goods or services in support of the project as subcontractors or subconsultants identified on the Respondent and Team Summary Form. Firms must be certified by the OEV or the Office of Supplier Diversity.

1. Meeting the project specific goals, or meeting some portion of the project specific goals and completing the Good Faith Effort Form, is required for your response to remain responsive to this solicitation. If there is an aggregate goal, Respondents can satisfy the entire project specific goal through certified MBE or WBE firms or any combination thereof. For example, if a project goal is 12% aggregate, the entirety of the goal can be satisfied through certified MBE firms; WBE firms; or any combination thereof to remain responsive.

2. The MWSBE Division will determine if responses to this section are responsive if they include a completed MWBE Participation Plan that is eligible for points and/or Good Faith Effort documentation.

3. Please complete an MWBE Participation Plan Form, include the MBE and WBE firms on your Respondent and Team Summary Form. To be eligible for evaluation, all MWBE Section Forms must be included in your response.

4. If you are unable to meet the project specific goal for MBE and WBE participation, you must submit a Good Faith Effort Form documenting your efforts to identify MBE and WBE firms to participate in order for your response to remain responsive to this solicitation.

https://www.talgov.com/Uploads/Public/Documents/neighborhood/economic/mwbe_res_team_form.pdf https://www.talgov.com/Uploads/Public/Documents/neighborhood/economic/mwbe_res_team_form.pdf https://www.talgov.com/Uploads/Public/Documents/neighborhood/economic/mwbe_part_form.pdf https://www.talgov.com/Uploads/Public/Documents/neighborhood/economic/mwbe_res_team_form.pdf https://www.talgov.com/Uploads/Public/Documents/neighborhood/economic/mwbe_good_faith_form.pdf

5. Each Respondent is strongly encouraged to secure MBE and WBE firm participation.

Respondents needing assistance or guidance with these requirements should contact LaTanya Raffington of the MWSBE Division at Lraffington@oevforbusiness.org.

A directory of certified MBE and WBE firms is available on the OEV website:

https://oevforbusiness.mwsbe.com

1.5 ISSUANCE OF ADDENDA

A. If this solicitation is amended, the Agency will issue an appropriate addendum to the solicitation using Bonfire. If an addendum is issued, all terms and conditions herein that are not specifically modified will remain unchanged.

1. The Consultant will accept the Addendum in Bonfire.

2. The Consultant will acknowledge receipt of each addendum to this solicitation by inclusion in Tab 5 of the Proposal.

B. The Agency must receive the acknowledgment by the time and date, and at the location specified for receipt of Proposals.

1.6 SELECTION PROCESS

A. Members of the Evaluation Committee shall independently review and score the responsive Proposals. At the Public Evaluator Scoring Meeting, the Evaluation Committee members will read their scores and rank all responsive Proposals received using the selection criteria described in this RFSQ (see Section 3). All Proposals shall be evaluated based on completeness in adhering to the requirements and criteria set forth in the solicitation instructions.

Proposals submitted will be reviewed to ensure that the Respondent understands the nature of the services requested.

B. The Evaluation Committee retains the right to request presentations from Respondents if desired by the Evaluation Committee. If presentations are requested, the Respondent has the option to make their presentation either in-person or virtually via a Microsoft Teams Meeting. The scores provided for each Respondent to the RFSQ will carry over to the presentation phase (see section 3.7.1). If the Evaluation Committee elects to request presentations, the Respondents shall prepare a presentation and address questions from the Evaluation Committee, at the appointed time, for up to thirty (30) minutes. The mailto:Lraffington@oevforbusiness.org https://oevforbusiness.mwsbe.com/ date and time of the presentation will be communicated to the Respondents after the public scoring meeting by the Purchasing Agent. The Presentation score for the Respondent will be added to their Technical scores. A maximum total of 10 points may be assigned based on the presentation responses.

C. A final ranking of Proposals by the Evaluation Committee will be made after the presentations scores are added to the initial scores. The Agency will award a single Contract to the top ranked firm. The City’s Procurement Services Division will convey the final ranking and recommendation of the Evaluation Committee to the Agency via the Procurement portal.

1.7 CONTRACT AWARD

A. The Agency will award a single contract to the top- ranked firm. If the Agency is unable to successfully execute a contract with the highest ranked Respondent, the Agency reserves the right to negotiate with the next highest ranked Respondents until successful in executing the contracts.

B. The Agency reserves the right to incorporate the successful Respondent’s Proposal into the firm’s contract. The selected Respondent will be required to assume responsibility for all services offered in this solicitation.

C. Respondents are hereby notified that Section 287.05701, Florida Statutes, requires that the Agency may not request documentation of, or consider a Respondent’s social, political, or ideological interests when determining if the Respondent is a responsible vendor.

1.8 RIGHT OF REJECTION

The Agency reserves the right to waive any informality in any solicitation, to reject any or all Proposals in whole or in part, with or without cause, and/or to accept the Proposal that, in its judgment, will be in the best interest of the Agency.

1.9 PROTEST PROCEDURES

A. RIGHT TO PROTEST: Any actual or prospective Respondent may protest the provisions of this solicitation.

1. Protest of Specifications or Proceedings Prior to Proposal Opening

Any actual or prospective Respondent who is adversely impacted in connection with the solicitation of a contract or Proposal, may protest on the grounds of irregularities in specifications or procedures.

2. Protest of Recommended Award Any actual Respondent or Consultant who is aggrieved in connection with the evaluation of proposals, the evaluation of Proposals, or the staff recommendation regarding award of a contract, provided that such Respondent or Consultant would have been awarded the contract but for the aggrieved action, may protest such evaluation or award recommendation.

B. FILING A PROTEST

1. A written protest will be considered filed for purposes of this procedure when all related items are actually delivered to and received by the City Procurement Services Division. All protests will be directed to the attention of the Manager for City Procurement Services.

2. For protest related to the specifications or proceeding of a Proposal, RFSQ, or RFSQ, a formal written protest must be filed no later than 72 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) after release of the solicitation. Failure to timely file the written protest, including the required protest bond/cashier’s check, will constitute a waiver of such protest.

For protest related to the evaluation of proposals, evaluation of Proposals, or staff recommendation regarding award of a contract, a written notice of intent to protest must be filed with Procurement Services within 72 hours (excludes weekends and holidays) after posting of the intended recommendation regarding award, and a written protest, must be filed with the Procurement Services Division no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the seventh (7th) calendar day following the date on which the written notice of intent to protest was filed.

A weekend commences at 12:00 a.m., ET, on Saturday and ends at the same time on the following Monday. A holiday begins at 12:00 a.m., ET, on the observed holiday and ends at the same time on the following day. Such written protest will state, with particularity the facts and grounds upon which the protest is based, and will include references to applicable laws, statutes, ordinances, policies, or other authority on which the protest is based. Failure to timely file either the notice of intent or the written protest including the protest bond/cashier’s check, will constitute a waiver of such protest.

3. Protest Bond. Any person who files a formal written protest, will post with the City of Tallahassee Procurement Services Division, at the time of filing the formal written protest, a cashier’s check or bond payable to the Agency in an amount equal to 1 percent of the Agency’s estimate of the total value of the contract or $5,000, whichever is less.

4. Final Decision. The Blueprint Attorney, or designee, will consider each protest and will render a final determination. If the decision of the Blueprint Attorney, or designee, upholds the action taken by the Agency, then the Agency will retain the amount of the protest bond in payment of a portion of the cost and expense, including but not limited to, time spent by Agency staff in responding to the protest and in conducting the evaluation of the protest. If the decision of the Blueprint Attorney, or designee, does not uphold the action taken by the Agency, then the Agency will return the protest bond without deduction, to the person or entity filing the protest.

5. Stay of Procurement During Proposal Protest. In the event that a protest is filed in accordance with the proposal protest procedures herein, the City’s Procurement Services Division will not proceed further with the solicitation or award of the contract until the Blueprint Attorney or designee has rendered a written decision regarding the protest or until the Director of PLACE, or designee, makes a written determination that continuation of the process and award of a contract without delay is necessary to protect the substantial interest of the Agency.

1.10 GENERAL CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The following contract terms and conditions will be incorporated into any final contract with the selected Respondent:

A. PUBLIC ENTITY CRIMES

As required by section 287.133(2)(a), Florida Statutes, a person or affiliate who has been placed on the convicted vendor list following a conviction for a public entity crime may not submit a Proposal on a contract to provide any goods or services to a public entity, may not submit a Proposal on a contract with a public entity for the construction or repair of a public building or a public work, may not submit Proposals on leases of real property to a public entity, may not be awarded or perform work as a contractor, supplier, subcontractor, or consultant under a contract with any public entity, and may not transact business with any public entity in excess of the threshold amount provided in section 287.017, Florida Statutes, for CATEGORY TWO [$35,000] for a period of 36 months from the date of being placed on the convicted vendor list. Any person must notify the Agency within 30 days after a conviction of a public entity crime applicable to that person or to an affiliate of that person.

B. PROMPT PAYMENT POLICY

It is the Agency’s policy to fully comply with the provisions of the Local Government Prompt Payment Act. For more information, please refer to section 218.70, Florida Statutes.

C. WITHHOLDING PAYMENT

In the event a contract is cancelled under any provision herein, the Agency may withhold from the Consultant any monies owed on that or any contract, in an amount sufficient to compensate for damages suffered because of the violation resulting in cancellation.

D. TERMINATION

1. If the Consultant fails to fulfill any of its obligations under this Contract with the Agency, or otherwise, through no fault of the Agency, such failure will be considered a default and will entitle, but not obligate, the Agency to suspend performance under or to terminate this Contract, in whole or in part, at the Agency’s discretion, if the Consultant fails to cure such default within thirty (30) days after receipt of a written notice thereof from the Agency.

Furthermore, the Agency will have the right to terminate this Contract, in whole or in part, for convenience without the Consultant being in default thereunder. Consultant will receive written notice specifying whether termination is for the default of the Consultant or for the Agency’s convenience, the extent to which services under this Contract are to be terminated, and the date upon which such termination becomes effective.

After receipt of such written notice, and except as otherwise directed in writing by the Agency, the Consultant will promptly stop work under this Contract on the date and to the extent specified in the notice, terminate all subcontracts to the extent that they relate to the performance of services terminated by the notice, and complete performance of such services as will not have been terminated by the notice.

2. In the event of termination for convenience, the Agency will pay the

Consultant:

a. the full amount due for goods satisfactorily delivered and/or services satisfactorily rendered;

b. approved costs and expenses incurred which remain unpaid at the time of such termination; and

c. such other costs of termination, if any, as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties. The Agency will have the right to set off against amounts otherwise owed the Consultant all amounts owed by the Consultant to the Agency under this Contract or otherwise.

E. INDEMNIFICATION

1. The Consultant shall indemnify and hold harmless the Agency, City of

Tallahassee, its officers and employees, from liabilities, damages, losses and costs, including but not limited to reasonable attorney’s fees, to the extent caused by the negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongful misconduct of the Consultant and persons employed or utilized by the Consultant in the performance of this Agreement.

2. The Consultant will indemnify and hold harmless the Agency, City of Tallahassee and its officials, officers, and employees, from and against all claims for infringement of any United States Patent and all other claims, damages, losses, and expenses (including without limitation costs of defending the same and attorney’s fees) arising out of or resulting from the performance of the work, furnishing of services, or furnishing of materials, goods, or equipment (including but not limited to claims regarding defects in materials, goods, or equipment) which is caused in whole or in part by any act, or omission of the Consultant, any sub-Consultant, anyone directly or indirectly employed by any of them or anyone for whose acts any of them may be liable.

3. In any and all claims against the Agency, City of Tallahassee, or any of its agents or employees by any employee of the Consultant, any sub- Consultant, anyone directly or indirectly employed by any of them or anyone for whose acts any of them may be liable, the indemnification obligation under this clause will not be limited in any way by any limitation on the amount or type of damages; compensation or benefits payable by or for the Consultant; or any sub-Consultant under any Workers’ Compensation Act, Disability Benefit Act, or other Employee Benefit Act.

F. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF CONTRACT STAFF

1. The Agency reserves the right to review, for approval or denial, the proposed key personnel for their qualifications, experience, expertise prior to any task and may, at its discretion, accept or reject proposed staff for a specific task.

2. The Agency also reserves the right to request specific individuals for specific tasks.

G. E-VERIFY

1. The Consultant will utilize the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-

Verify system, in accordance with the terms governing use of the system, to confirm the employment eligibility of:

a. All persons employed by the Consultant during the term of the Contract to perform employment duties within Florida; and

b. All persons, including subconsultants, assigned by the Consultant to perform work pursuant to the Contract with the Agency.

H. CONFLICT OF INTEREST

1. The Consultant shall certify that, to the best of their knowledge and belief, there are no relevant facts or circumstances which could give rise to an organizational or personal conflict of interest, be it actual, apparent, or potential, for the organization or any of its staff, and that the Consultant has disclosed all relevant information if an actual, apparent, or potential conflict of interest appears to exist to a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts or if such a person would question the impartiality of the Respondent.

2. The Consultant shall disclose any actual, apparent, or potential conflict of interest. If an actual, apparent, or potential conflict of interest is disclosed, the Agency will take appropriate actions to eliminate or address the actual, apparent, or potential conflict, including without limitation mitigating or neutralizing the conflict or requiring the Consultant to provide a satisfactory mitigation plan to the Agency identifying specific methods which will be imposed by the Consultant to eliminate, to the extent possible, the conflict of interest. The Agency may restrict or modify the work to be performed by the Consultant to avoid or reduce the actual, apparent, or potential conflict of interest.

3. The Agency may terminate this contract for convenience, in whole or in part, if it determines that termination is necessary to avoid an actual, apparent, or potential conflict of interest or if the Consultant fails to provide a mitigation plan for an actual, apparent, or potential conflict of interest that is satisfactory to the Agency. If the Consultant was aware of an actual, apparent, or potential conflict of interest prior to award or discovered an actual, apparent, or potential conflict of interest after award and did not disclose or misrepresented relevant information to the Agency, the Agency may terminate the contract for default or pursue such other remedies as may be permitted by law or this contract. Further remedies include suspension or debarment from contracting with the Agency. The Consultant may also be required to reimburse the Agency for costs the Agency incurs for reprocurement.

4. The Consultant further agrees to insert in any subcontract or subconsultant agreement related to the scope of services provided hereunder, provisions which shall conform substantially to the language of this clause, including specific mention of potential remedies.

5. The Consultant shall promptly notify the Agency, in writing by certified mail, of all potential conflicts of interest for any prospective business association, interest or other circumstance which may influence or appear to influence the judgment of the Consultant or quality of services provided hereunder.

Such written notification shall identify the prospective business association, interest or circumstance, identify the nature of work that the Consultant may undertake and request an opinion of the Agency as to whether the association, interest or circumstance would, in the opinion of the Agency, constitute a conflict of interest if entered into by the Respondent.

6. The Agency agrees to notify the Consultant of its opinion within thirty (30) days of receipt of the notification by the Consultant. If, in the opinion of the Agency, the prospective business association, interest or circumstance would not constitute a conflict of interest by the Respondent, and the Agency shall so state in the notification and the Consultant shall, at its option, enter into said association, interest or circumstance and it shall be deemed not in conflict of interest with respect to services provided to the Agency by the Consultant under the terms of this Solicitation.

I. AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS

The Agency’s Project(s), performed under this Contract, are contingent upon an annual appropriation for its purpose by the Intergovernmental Agency Board of Directors, or other specified funding source for this procurement.

J. SEVERABILITY

If any term or provision of this solicitation and subsequent Contract, or the application thereof to any person or circumstances will, to any extent, be held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this solicitation and subsequent Contract, or the application of such terms or provision, to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable, will not be affected, and every other term and provision of this solicitation and subsequent Contract will be deemed valid and enforceable to the extent permitted by law.

K. REMEDIES

This solicitation and subsequent Contract will be governed by the laws of the State of Florida. Venue for any litigation involving this solicitation and subsequent contract will be the Circuit Court in and for Leon County, Florida.

No remedy herein conferred upon any party is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy, and each and every such remedy will be cumulative and will be in addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or at equity or by statute or otherwise. No single or partial exercise by any party of any right, power, or remedy hereunder will preclude any other or further exercise thereof.

L. FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF NON-PERFORMANCE

1. The Agency may apply financial consequences if the Consultant fails to perform in accordance with the Contract.

2. If the Consultant fails to remedy the performance deficiencies, the Consultant may be assessed a non-performance retainage equivalent to 5% of the total invoice amount for the task or Project, or as specified in the contractual documents. The retainage will be applied to the invoice for the then-current billing period. The retainage will be withheld until the Consultant resolves the deficiency. If the deficiency is subsequently resolved, the Consultant may invoice the Agency for the retained amount during the next billing period. If the Consultant is unable to resolve the deficiency, the funds retained will be forfeited.

M. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

Prior to commencing work, the Consultant will procure and maintain at Consultant’s own cost and expense for the duration of the contract coverage for all work or operations performed under the contract the following insurance against claims for injuries to person or damages to property which may arise from or in connection with the performance of the work or services hereunder by the Consultant, his agents, representatives, employees or subcontractors.

The cost of such insurance will be included in Consultant’s proposal.

1. Consultant will maintain limits no less than:

a. Commercial General/Umbrella Liability Insurance - $1,000,000 limit per occurrence for property damage and bodily injury. The Agency shall be made an Additional Insured as to such insurance. Such coverage shall be on an “occurrence” basis and shall include Products/Completed Operations coverage. The coverage afforded to the Agency as an Additional Insured shall be primary as to any other available insurance and shall not be more restrictive than the coverage afforded to the Named Insured. The limits of coverage shall not be less than $1,000,000 for each occurrence and not less than a $2,000,000 annual general aggregate, inclusive of amounts provided by an umbrella or excess policy. The limits of coverage described herein shall apply fully to the work or operations performed under the Contract and may not be shared with or diminished by claims unrelated to the contract. Prior to the execution of the Contract, and at all renewal periods which occur prior to final acceptance of the work, the Agency shall be provided with an ACORD Certificate of Liability Insurance reflecting the coverage described herein.

The insurance will include coverage for the following:

1) Premise/Operations

2) Explosion, Collapse and Underground Property Damage Hazard

(only when applicable to the Project)

3) Products/Completed Operations

4) Contractual

5) Independent Contractors

6) Broad Form Property Damage

7) Personal Injury

b. Business Automobile/Umbrella Liability Insurance - $1,000,000 limit per accident for property damage and personal injury.

1) Owned/Leased Autos

2) Non-owned Autos

3) Hired Autos

c. Workers’ Compensation and Employers’/Umbrella Liability Insurance -

Workers’ Compensation coverage with benefits and monetary limits as set forth in Chapter 440, Florida Statutes. This policy will include Employers’/Umbrella Liability coverage for $1,000,000 per accident.

Workers’ Compensation coverage is required as a condition of performing work or services for the Agency whether or not the Consultant or Vendor is otherwise required by law to provide such coverage.

d. Professional Liability Insurance - $1,000,000 per Project.

2. Other Insurance Provisions:

a. Commercial General Liability and Automobile Liability Coverage

1) The Agency, members of its Board of Directors, boards, commissions and committees, officers, agents, and employees are to be covered as additional insureds as respects: liability arising out of activities performed by or on behalf of the Consultant; products and completed operations of the Consultant; premises owned, leased or used by the Consultant or premises on which Consultant is performing services on behalf of the Agency. The coverage will contain no special limitations on the scope of protection afforded to the Agency, members of its Board of Directors, boards, commissions and committees, officers, agents, and employees.

2) The Consultant's insurance coverage will be primary insurance as respects the Agency, members of its Board of Directors, boards, commissions and committees, officers, agents, and employees.

Any insurance or self-insurance maintained by the Agency, members of its Board of Directors, boards, commissions and committees, officers, agents, and employees will be excess of Consultant's insurance and will not contribute with it.

3) Any failure to comply with reporting provisions of the policies will not affect coverage provided to the Agency, members of its Board of Directors, boards, commissions and committees, officers, agents, and employees.

4) Coverage will state that Consultant's insurance will apply separately to each insured against whom a claim is made, or suit is brought, except with respect to the limits of the insurer's liability.

b. Workers’ Compensation and Employers’ Liability and Property Coverage

The insurer will agree to waive all rights of subrogation against the Agency, members of its Board of Directors, boards, commissions and committees, officers, agents, and employees for losses arising from activities and operations of Consultant in the performance of services under this Agreement.

c. All Coverage

1) Each insurance policy required by this clause will be endorsed to state that coverage will not be suspended, voided, canceled, reduced in coverage or in limits except after thirty (30) days prior written notice has been given to the Agency.

2) If Consultant, for any reason, fails to maintain insurance coverage, which is required pursuant to this Agreement, the same will be deemed a material breach of contract. The Agency, at its sole option, may terminate this Agreement and obtain damages from the Consultant resulting from said breach.

3) Alternatively, Agency may purchase such required insurance coverage (but has no special obligation to do so), and without further notice to Consultant, Agency may deduct from sums due to Consultant any premium costs advanced by the Agency for such insurance.

4) Agency named as "additional insured" as its interest may appear.

d. Deductibles and Self-Insured Retention

Any deductibles or self-insured retention’s must be declared to and approved by the Agency. At the option of the Agency, the insurer will reduce or eliminate such deductibles or self-insured retention’s as respects the Agency, members of its Board of Directors, boards, commissions and committees, officers, agents, and employees; or the Consultant will procure a bond guaranteeing payment of losses, related investigation, claim administration and defense expenses.

e. Acceptability of Insurers

Insurance is to be placed with Florida admitted insurers rated A- or better by A.M. Best's rating service.

f. Verification of Coverage

Consultant will furnish the Agency with certificates of insurance and with original endorsements affecting coverage required by this clause. The certificates and endorsements for each policy are to be signed by a person authorized by that insurer to bind coverage on its behalf. The certificates and endorsements are to be received and approved by the Agency before work commences.

g. Insurance for Protection of Utility Owners

When the Contract involves work on or in the vicinity of utility-owned property or facilities, the utility shall be added along with the Agency as an Additional Insured on the insurance policy/ies procured by the Consultant.

1.11 PUBLIC RECORDS

A. By submitting a Proposal in response to this solicitation, a Consultant acknowledges that the Agency is a governmental entity subject to the Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes).

B. The Consultant further acknowledges that any materials or documents provided to Agency may be “public records” and, as such, may be subject to disclosure to and copying by the public unless otherwise specifically exempt by statute. Should a Consultant provide the Agency with any materials which it believes, in good faith, contain information which would be exempt from disclosure or copying under Florida law, the Consultant will indicate that belief by typing or printing, in bold letters, the phrase “Exempt” or “Proprietary Information” on the face of each affected page of such material and indicate the statutory citation supporting such a conclusion. The Consultant will submit to the Agency both a complete copy of such material and a redacted copy in which the exempt information on each affected page, and only such exempt information, has been rendered unreadable. In the event a Consultant fails to submit both copies of such material, the copy submitted may be deemed a public record subject to disclosure and copying regardless of any annotations to the contrary on the face of such document or any page(s) thereof. Note, the Agency does not consider cost Proposals to be proprietary and this information will be made public.

C. Should any person request to examine or copy any material so designated, and provided the affected Consultant has otherwise fully complied with this provision, the Agency, in reliance on the representations of the Consultant, will produce for that person only the redacted version of the affected material. If the person requests to examine or copy the complete version of the affected material, Agency will notify the Consultant of that request, and the Consultant will reply to such notification, in a writing that must be received by Agency no later than 4:00 p.m., ET, of the second Agency business day following Consultant’s receipt of such notification, either permitting or refusing to permit such disclosure or copying. Failure to provide a timely written reply will be deemed consent to disclosure and copying of the complete copy of such material. If the Consultant refuses to permit disclosure or copying, the Consultant agrees to, and will, hold harmless and indemnify Agency for all expenses, costs, damages, and penalties of any kind whatsoever which may be incurred by Agency, or assessed or awarded against Agency, in regard to the Consultant’s refusal to permit disclosure or copying of such material. If litigation is filed in relation to such request and the Consultant is not initially named as a party, the Consultant will promptly seek to intervene as a defendant in such litigation to defend its claim regarding the confidentiality of such material. This provision will take precedence over any provisions or conditions of any Proposal submitted by a Consultant in response to this solicitation and will constitute Agency’s sole obligation with regard to maintaining such exemption of any document, material, or information submitted to the Agency.

Nothing herein will require the Agency to withhold the requested document, material or information submitted to the Agency if in the opinion of the Agency, the requested document, material or information, is subject to disclosure pursuant to the Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statues).

IF THE CONSULTANT HAS QUESTIONS REGARDING THE APPLICATION

OF CHAPTER 119, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO THE CONSULTANT’S DUTY

TO PROVIDE PUBLIC RECORDS RELATING TO THIS CONTRACT,

CONTACT THE CUSTODIAN OF PUBLIC RECORDS AT:

Public Records Custodian

(850) 219-1060

Mailing Address:

Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency c/o Shelonda Meeks 315 S. Calhoun Street Tallahassee, FL 32301

1.12 PROHIBITED COMMUNICATIONS

The Purchasing Agent/Procurement Officer identified in Section 1.2 and the Euna Procurement Proposal Contact section is the sole point of contact regarding this solicitation. Respondents to this solicitation or persons acting on their behalf may not contact, any Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency Directors, City or County Commissioners, his or her staff, or any evaluation committee members (evaluators) concerning any aspect of this solicitation, between the release of the solicitation until the Intergovernmental Management Committee awards or approves a contract, rejects all responses, or otherwise takes action which ends the solicitation process. Violation of this provision shall result in disqualification of respondent’s proposal, proposal or reply, termination of any resulting contract and suspension or debarment.

1.13 CERTIFICATION OF DRUG FREE WORKPLACE FORM

Consultants will submit one (1) accurately completed Certification of Drug-Free Workplace Form with their Proposal certifying the Consultant has a drug-free workplace program. This document must be submitted with the Consultant’s Proposal. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in a finding of non-responsiveness.

1.14 COSTS INCURRED BY CONSULTANTS

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Agency will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by any Consultant at any time before the issuance of an executed contract, nor any costs related to the preparation of Proposal by a Consultant.

1.15 MODIFICATION/WITHDRAWAL OF SUBMITTALS

A. Modifications to Proposals will NOT be allowed after the date and time scheduled for receipt of Proposals. However, complete exchange of qualifications is acceptable, if accomplished before the date and time scheduled for receipt of qualifications.

B. A Consultant may completely withdraw its submittal up to the time of contract award. The Consultant must request the withdrawal in writing, signed by the Consultant’s authorized representative. The submitted request for withdrawal will not prejudice the right of the Consultant to participate on other current or future Agency solicitations.

C. The Agency reserves the right to review for approval or denial the proposed key personnel and/or teams for their qualifications, experience, expertise prior to any job and may, at its discretion, accept or reject proposed staff for a specific task. The Agency also reserves the right the ability to request specific teams or individuals for specific tasks.

SECTION 2 – SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

The proposed timeline for this solicitation is as follows. Dates and times are subject to change. All times listed below are Eastern Standard Time (EST):

EVENT DATE / TIME*

Release of the Request for Supplier Qualifications September 17, 2026

Mandatory Virtual Pre-Proposal Meeting

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join:

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/251301310565830?p=4YF gdF8Td34qRWg7mh

Need help? | System reference Dial in by phone

+1 850-792-4991,,174213003# United States, Tallahassee Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 174 213 003#

October 1, 2026

10:00 AM ET

Deadline for Questions October 8, 2026

2:00 PM ET

Anticipated Date for Answers to Questions October 15, 2026

Receipt of Proposals (Response to RFSQ DUE DATE) October 29, 2026

2:00 PM ET

Public Evaluator Scoring Meeting

Microsoft Teams meeting

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https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/267813367343412?p=aqE uVWdY7yPSEzy6OV

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+1 850-792-4991,,252315894# United States, Tallahassee Find a local number

November 19, 2026, 10:00 AM ET https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/251301310565830?p=4YFgdF8Td34qRWg7mh https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/251301310565830?p=4YFgdF8Td34qRWg7mh https://aka.ms/JoinTeamsMeeting?omkt=en-US…