Request for Information (RFI) - Public Relations Support Services for Environmental Projects

Broward County, Florida is issuing a Request for Information on public relations support services for environmental projects, with responses due September 30, 2026. This RFI is issued with notice of intent to designate Emily Lock Consulting as sole source; the County seeks evidence that comparable services are available from multiple providers or that alternate vendors can meet its needs before proceeding with sole-source procurement.

The scope covers public relations support for two environmental initiatives: the Sand Bypass Project (Public Works and Environmental Services Department), which will source supplemental sand locally for the Broward County Segment III Shore Protection Project beach nourishment activities; and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Port Everglades Navigation Improvements Project (Port Everglades Department), designed to deepen and widen port channels for larger modern cargo, cruise, and petroleum vessels. Required capabilities include developing public relations strategies for large-scale infrastructure and environmental projects (media kits, social media campaigns, website content), stakeholder engagement and outreach, media monitoring and reporting, media training and communications development, and event coordination and media relations. The questionnaire requires vendors to indicate capability level—Yes, Partially, or No—across 14 differentiating requirements, including experience with government clients, media list compilation for environmental and maritime sectors, analytical reporting, messaging framework development, press conference coordination, and media inquiry response.

The County's stated rationale for sole-source consideration rests on Emily Lock Consulting's specialized experience in maritime, environmental, and political campaign strategies and ongoing engagement on the Port Everglades project since April 2026. Continuing engagement would reduce costs by eliminating redundant start-up fees and transition time while maintaining message consistency across the related projects. The Director of Purchasing retains sole authority to determine what qualifies as comparable; the decision is not subject to objection, protest, or appeal. This RFI is not a request for pricing or a purchase commitment.