Fund Management for Panther Payment for Ecosystem Services Program

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is conducting an Invitation to Bid (ITB) procurement for fund management services related to the Panther Payment for Ecosystem Services Program. The services will be provided to Leon County and encompass 17 counties within the Panther Focus Area and Expansion Area. The contractor will be responsible for establishing and maintaining a financial account, disbursing payments to eligible private landowners via certified check or Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfer within 10 business days of Memorandum of Understanding execution, and providing monthly disbursement reports. The contractor must charge no more than $0.10 per transaction as an overhead multiplier/transaction fee and maintain accurate financial records in compliance with municipal, state, and federal regulations. Key qualifications include registration in both the MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP) and Sunbiz systems prior to bid opening, submission of three verifiable references for similar projects, and prohibition on subcontracting. The bid submission deadline is April 8, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET, with a public opening scheduled for the same date and time and an anticipated award date of April 13, 2026. Evaluation will be based on the responsive, responsible bidder submitting the lowest total price, with bidders required to submit pricing for both the initial year and potential renewal year. Financial penalties apply for late disbursements, with FWC payments reduced by 10 percent of the agreed overhead multiplier for each additional week beyond the 10-business-day requirement. All bids must be sealed and submitted in physical form, as digital submissions will not be accepted.

The ITB contains no identified set-aside designations or restrictions limiting eligible respondents based on disadvantaged enterprise status or organizational type. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are listed in the procurement documentation. The contract does not reference integration with existing infrastructure or technology systems. The FWC has established an estimated budget of $960,000 for this project, representing the anticipated total funding for program disbursements and contractor fees throughout the contract period. The initial contract term is one year, with an option for the FWC to renew annually for up to one additional year at the Commission's sole discretion, contingent upon satisfactory performance and fund availability. Contract award will result in a one-year initial term with potential for annual renewal based on performance metrics and continued funding availability.