Prequalification of Continuing Contractors for Geotechnical Services

Hernando County Board of County Commissioners is requesting qualifications to prequalify firms for geotechnical services and geotechnical engineering on a continuing, task-order basis, with proposals due October 5, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. local time via the County's eProcurement Portal. A 5% local-business preference applies to vendors maintaining a permanent place of business with full-time employees in Hernando County for a minimum of twelve months prior to proposal submission.

Respondents must hold Florida professional engineering certifications and licenses. Insurance requirements are professional liability ($3,000,000 per occurrence minimum), general liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate), workers' compensation per statute, and automobile liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit).

The scope spans geotechnical services including soil survey review, subsurface exploration and boring, soil classification, groundwater and surface water measurement and testing, muck probing, laboratory testing of soils and construction materials, slope stability and seepage analyses, foundation and geotechnical design, ground-penetrating radar surveys for karst identification and underground storage tank detection, and related services as required by individual projects. Upon award, the County will issue task orders on a rotational basis considering firm experience, prior award amounts, and rotation position.

Evaluation occurs in two phases. Phase I scores written proposals on firm ability and capacity (35 points), methodology and technical approach (35 points), and relevant experience with similar projects plus minimum three reference letters (30 points), totaling 100 points. The Procurement Selection Committee establishes a short list of no fewer than three highest-scoring respondents and may request oral presentations (Phase II) weighted at 50% for content and 50% for knowledge and teamwork demonstration. The County will attempt to negotiate agreements in ranked order of qualifications. The contract has no specific expiration date and remains in effect until terminated per its terms. Public proposal opening follows immediately at 15470 Flight Path Drive, Brooksville, Florida.