FY 2027 Destination Turnkey Funding Application

Monroe County, Florida, through its Tourist Development Council, is procuring event funding support through the FY 2027 Destination Turnkey Funding Application. The Monroe County Purchasing Office is seeking applications for organized annual events that generate overnight visitors to multiple lodging properties, provide out-of-area marketing exposure, and are open to the public, with qualifying event types including festivals, concerts, and sporting events. Applicants may choose between two funding models: Destination Event funding (marketing only) or Turnkey Event funding (all-inclusive with full contractor responsibility). Events must occur between October 1, 2026, and September 30, 2027, with pre-promotion funding available for events scheduled between October 1, 2027, and December 31, 2027. Evaluation criteria include Primary Purpose of Event, Destination Stewardship & Community Involvement, Timing of Event, Strength of Marketing Plan and Organizational Financial Commitment, and Action Plan, with applications scored by District Advisory Committee members using a minimum threshold of 24 points from a majority for funding consideration. Sealed responses must be submitted electronically via the Bonfire bidding platform at https://monroecounty-fl.bonfirehub.com no later than 5:00 P.M. on March 25, 2026, with a virtual bid opening via Zoom on March 26, 2026, at 9:00 A.M., and an applicant workshop scheduled for March 4, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time.

Eligible applicants are restricted to public entities, for-profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations, or private businesses in good standing with the Florida Division of Corporations and registered with Sunbiz. Turnkey Event applicants must provide proof of insurance including workers' compensation, general liability, and business automobile liability coverage. Funding levels vary by district, with District I (Key West) offering the highest maximum of $200,000, while other districts offer lower maximums ranging down to $5,000, accommodating varying event scales across Monroe County's geographic areas. Applications and all supporting documents must be submitted as a single PDF through the Bonfire platform, with confidential financial information submitted separately and treated according to Florida Statutes Section 119.071. No set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are specified in the solicitation materials. All proposals will be made public on the platform after an intended decision or 30 days, whichever is earlier, unless rejected.