FAU Florida Office of the Ocean Economy - Project Management

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is soliciting proposals through an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) process to procure project management services for the Florida Office of the Ocean Economy (FOOE), a state-supported initiative housed at FAU dedicated to advancing Florida's ocean and coastal-based industries. The procurement seeks one or more vendors to provide comprehensive project management services including establishment and management of workflows, coordination of activities, monitoring project performance against strategic objectives, facilitation of communication between FAU leadership and stakeholders, and delivery of regular status updates, dashboards, and detailed reports to the FOOE Executive Director and FAU leadership. Key deliverables include development of a comprehensive stakeholder engagement summary report, creation of marketing collateral and outreach materials, preparation of the annual FOOE report, and policy analysis work including legislative summaries and regulatory assessments. Vendors must demonstrate proven project management experience within the ocean economy sector with oversight of research, workforce development, community engagement, business and entrepreneurship, and policy initiatives; required qualifications include either a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification with a minimum of three years' experience as a Project Manager, or a Master's degree in public policy with at least three years of relevant experience. Vendors must also be capable of traveling within Florida 5-10 times annually at their own expense. The proposal due date is April 17, 2026, with a posting date of March 19, 2026; questions must be directed to Adam Kleinrock, Purchasing Coordinator, through the Q&A section of FAU's electronic sourcing system by the deadline specified in the solicitation. The contract award will be based on the responsible proposer whose proposal is responsive to the ITN, demonstrates clear understanding of priorities, and shows capability to perform satisfactorily based on service and price, with short-listed vendors potentially invited for site visits, presentations, interviews, and negotiations followed by submission of best and final offers (BAFOs).

The solicitation documents do not specify any set-aside designations or restrictions limiting responses to particular types of organizations, disadvantaged enterprises, or minority-owned businesses. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement materials, and no existing infrastructure or technology integration requirements are detailed. All proposal-related costs are the sole responsibility of proposers, and FAU is exempt from federal excise and sales taxes on direct purchases. All materials submitted become public records under Florida Statute 119.07, and vendors must comply with E-Verify registration requirements, Florida's Code of Ethics for Public Employees, and FAU's equal opportunity and non-discrimination policies. The solicitation documents do not provide any listed award values, budget ranges, or specific pricing information; the resulting contract will be awarded for an initial one-year term with three additional one-year renewal options, contingent upon approved funding. FAU reserves the right to award to one or more vendors, skip the short list process, award in full or in part, or make no award at all, with recommended awards posted for seventy-two hours (excluding weekends and holidays) before final award.