Public Seating and Bench Advertising Program

The City of Lake City, Florida has issued Request for Proposals (RFP 008-2026) seeking qualified firms licensed to conduct business in Florida to design, fabricate, install, maintain, repair, and remove public benches throughout the city limits as part of a Public Seating and Bench Advertising Program. The selected proposer will be responsible for all aspects of the bench program at no cost to the City, with funding generated entirely through advertising displayed on bench backrests. The program encompasses 56 proposed bench locations distributed strategically across major thoroughfares including West US Highway 90, Main Boulevard, Bascom Norris Drive, US Highway 441, State Road 247, and State Road 47, with precise geographic coordinates provided for installation guidance. Proposers must demonstrate firm qualifications and relevant experience in similar programs, submit a comprehensive statement of qualifications not exceeding 25 pages, and clearly outline their program approach and management capabilities. Evaluation will be based on four criteria: Firm Qualifications (25 points), Program Approach (35 points), Program Management and Responsiveness (20 points), and Additional Information including Revenue/Value-Added services (20 points). Written questions must be submitted by Friday, February 20, 2026, by 4:00 PM, with proposals due electronically via the City's OpenGov e-Procurement Portal by 2:00 PM on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. The Evaluation Committee will convene on March 26, 2026, with approval recommendations presented on April 20, 2026, and the anticipated contract term is ten years with two additional five-year renewal options subject to City Council approval and vendor performance.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions limiting organizational types have been identified in the solicitation materials. There is no pre-existing incumbent vendor identified for this program. Proposers must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including general liability insurance of at least one million dollars, workers' compensation insurance, and automobile liability insurance with the City named as an additional insured. All proposers must submit notarized compliance documentation including Public Entity Crimes Statements, Drug-Free Workplace Certificates, Non-Collusion Affidavits, Conflict of Interest Statements, Human Trafficking Affidavits, and E-Verify Affirmation Statements. The specific award value or budget range has not been disclosed; however, proposers must identify the percentage of gross advertising revenue to be paid to the City and clearly describe the payment structure, payment frequency, and any proposed minimum annual guarantees, which will factor into the evaluation and selection process.