Restoration Strategies Study - Lakes Apopka and Jesup

The St. Johns River Water Management District is requesting proposals from qualified consultants for restoration strategies studies on Lakes Apopka and Jesup, with submittals due July 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. and questions due by July 8, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

The scope comprises five primary tasks: kickoff and progress meetings with District staff; collection and review of existing environmental data and studies; evaluation of nutrient removal or mitigation projects; evaluation of invasive and nuisance species removal or mitigation options; and evaluation of impacts from raising average lake levels or increasing water depths in some or all lake areas. Consultants must deliver draft reports by February 1, 2027 and final reports for each lake by February 26, 2027.

Minimum qualifications require at least five years of experience in water quality, hydrology, invasive or nuisance species management, and economic and recreational impact analysis, plus successful completion of at least three similar projects within the past twenty years. All deliverables must comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards.

The estimated budget is $5 million in nonrecurring funds from the Florida General Revenue Fund, appropriated through Specific Appropriation 1733 in HB 5001E. Respondents must submit cost proposals organized by task on a fixed-price basis. The contract term runs from August 24, 2026 through February 26, 2027. The resulting agreement will be funded through a revenue agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which was under negotiation at the time of solicitation posting.

Evaluation allocates 40 points to respondent organization and expertise, 30 points to key personnel qualifications, 20 points to technical merit, and 10 points to cost proposal, with the lowest responsive and responsible cost receiving the maximum score. The District retains the right to reject all proposals, adjust the budget estimate, or increase, decrease, or delete any portion of the work.