Florida Defense

The Florida Department of Commerce, on behalf of the Florida Defense Support Commission, is soliciting proposals for a comprehensive Economic Impact Analysis (EIA) of Florida's Military and Defense industry. The primary deliverables include a 2025 Economic Impact Analysis Report (maximum 350 pages), draft and final versions of a 2025 Florida Military and Defense Economic Impact Analysis Report, an Educational/Informational Brochure Package (6,000 copies in both hard and electronic formats), and a reanalysis of FY 2024 defense data using the REMI PI+ Model methodology. The analysis must quantify the defense sector's economic contribution through detailed examination of payroll data by salary level, non-payroll expenditures, military contract values, retiree and spouse employment spending, and technology transfer impacts, with categorical regional analysis required. An optional alternate deliverable for Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and visualization tools is available. Respondents must submit three past performance references for similar work completed over at least three continuous years, and all contractor personnel must obtain Level One background checks from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement prior to assignment. The evaluation will be conducted using a two-phase process assessing technical merit (maximum 180 points), past performance references (maximum 20 points), and cost (maximum 50 points), for a total of 250 possible points. Proposals must be received by February 27, 2026, at 2:30 PM EST, with proposal opening at 3:00 PM EST the same day at the Florida Department of Commerce Purchasing Office in Tallahassee. The anticipated contract execution date is April 1, 2026, with an initial term of twelve months (April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027), and all deliverables must be completed within six months of contract execution.

The solicitation does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting eligible respondents to particular entity types or disadvantaged enterprises; however, the state encourages implementation of drug-free workplace programs and support for RESPECT (products from the blind or other handicapped) and PRIDE (Florida Correctional work programs). Contractors must maintain Workers' Compensation Insurance (minimum $100,000 per accident, $100,000 per person, $500,000 aggregate), comprehensive general liability coverage (minimum $100,000 per occurrence, $500,000 aggregate), and Errors and Omissions Insurance. The contract utilizes the Commerce Vendor Core Contract template with standard terms and conditions, providing for fixed-price payment within twenty days of invoice receipt, inspection, and approval of deliverables. While specific award values or budget ranges are not disclosed in the solicitation materials, the contract may be renewed for one additional year at Commerce's discretion subject to satisfactory contractor performance. Technical proposals are limited to 100 pages and must be submitted separately from cost proposals, with financial penalties of 1% deduction per business day from applicable deliverable costs for late or unsatisfactory completion.