FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES

Collier County Board of County Commissioners has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) 25-8401 for Financial Consulting Services through its Procurement Services Division, specifically targeting the Public Utilities Department. The solicitation seeks a qualified vendor to provide comprehensive financial consulting services, including rate studies for water and wastewater utilities, financial modeling, rate-making, management accounting assistance, business valuations, financing activities, and financial system analyses. Proposals are due on August 4, 2025, at 3:00 PM EST, to be submitted electronically through the county's procurement portal. The contract will have an initial three-year term with two possible one-year renewals. Evaluation will be conducted by a selection committee scoring proposals across seven criteria totaling 100 points: business plan (20 points), specialized team expertise (25 points), past performance (20 points), cost of services (15 points), and local vendor preference (10 points). Vendors must demonstrate expertise in utility financial consulting, provide a comprehensive team approach, and submit detailed documentation of past performance and proposed methodologies.

While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly mentioned, the RFP indicates a preference for local vendors, with 10 evaluation points allocated to local business participation. Vendors must comply with E-Verify requirements and provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including Professional Liability ($2,000,000 per claim), Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence), and other required insurance types. Historically, county departments have spent approximately $300,000 annually on such services, though this may not predict future spending patterns. No markup will be allowed on reimbursable expenses, which are limited to specific items like photocopying, transcription, and postage. The county reserves the right to negotiate with top-ranked vendors and may use a tie-breaking procedure based on previous contract volumes. The potential contract allows for usage by other county departments beyond the Public Utilities Department, providing flexibility for future financial consulting needs across Collier County's government ecosystem.