Okaloosa County BOCC — March 18, 2013 — RFP- BCC Restore Act Mgmt (02-18-2013) — reading text

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS RESTORE ACT MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE OKALOOSA COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RFP #: BCC 19-13 RFP DUE: _____________2013 @ 4:00 P.M. THE INTENT OF THIS RFP IS TO OBTAIN QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROVIDING RELATED TO RESTORE ACT FUNDING AND PROJECTS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES Last Revised- 02-18-2013 Page 1  REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO PROVIDE MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES RELATED TO RESTORE ACT FUNDING AND PROJECTS The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners, under the provisions of Section 287.055, Florida Statutes, and Board policy request from professional firms to provide Management Consulting Services Related to Restore Act Funding and Projects. Firm desiring consideration should provide an original and six (6) copies of their proposal. Copies of the RFP may be obtained from the Okaloosa County Purchasing Department, 850-689-5960, or by downloading them from our website at www.co.okaloosa.fl.us (Departments, Purchasing, Vendor Registration & Opportunities). Proposals must be delivered to the Okaloosa County Purchasing Department at the address listed below no later than 4:00 p.m., (CST)__________________, 2013 in order to be considered. All proposals must be in sealed envelopes reflecting on the outside “Proposal to provide Management Consulting Services Related to Restore Act Funding and Projects.” Okaloosa County Purchasing Department Attn: Richard Brannon 602-C North Pearl St. Crestview FL 32536 Richard L. Brannon Date Purchasing Director BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OKALOOSA COUNTY Don Amunds Chairman Last Revised- 02-18-2013 Page 2  BACKGROUND Okaloosa County is one of Florida’s youngest counties created in 1915 by an act of the state legislature. Okaloosa County is located in the Northwest Florida Panhandle and the city of Crestview, near its geographical center, is the County seat. The April 2006 population was concentrated most heavily near its southern boundary of the Gulf of Mexico. Occupying a large portion of Okaloosa County is one of the world’s largest military reservations. Established in 1935, Eglin Air Force Base covers over 724 square miles in Okaloosa and two neighboring counties and contains the 919th Special Operations Wing, Duke Field. Eglin Air Force Base, the Air Armament Center, is responsible for development, acquisition, testing, deployment and sustainment of all United States Air Force air-delivered weapons. Eglin’s wide range of activities assures its continued role in the defense of the United States and in the economy of Okaloosa County. Hurlburt Field, the headquarters of the Air Force Special Operations, is also located in Okaloosa County. Hurlburt Field occupies about 6,000 acres in the County. The military presence is the major income producing source for the County. The Tourist Development Council/Convention Visitor’s Bureau (TDC/CVB) registered hundreds of thousands of inquiries throughout the year. Tourists may visit Okaloosa County’s Visitor Welcome Center, which is located on Okaloosa Island just off State Highway 98, for information on all local activities, area information, sightseeing and all other things to do during their visit. The Visitor’s Center logged over thousands of visits while the web site for TDC/CVB showed many more hundreds of thousands of hits. The tourism industry is the second leading income producing source for the County. The effect of the industry on the local economy is more than $1 billion income produced annually with the employment of 35,000+ in tourism related businesses. Residents and tourists in Okaloosa County have a full range of natural attractions and recreational opportunities. Mile after mile of beautiful snow-white beaches and emerald-green waters attract boating enthusiasts, swimmers, skiers, surfers, skin-divers, and scuba divers. Some of the largest concentrations of fighting game fish congregate off Destin’s coast. Party and charter boats make daily runs to favorite fishing reefs. Piers and bridges on the Gulf Coast of Mexico, inland bays and fresh water in lakes and streams provide excellent fishing opportunities. Golfing, at numerous magnificent courses around the area, sailing, and camping are other year- round activities. The hunter may try for deer, turkey, quail, dove, duck, and wild hog in the game management areas of the northern part of the County. Okaloosa County has been recognized as one of 23 Counties in Florida to receive and apply for funds related to the Clean Water Act Civil and Administrative penalties resulting from the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill. Last Revised- 02-18-2013 Page 3  SECTION 1 – PURPOSE The purpose of this request for proposal is to enter into a contract with a consulting firm that can provide assistance to the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners (the County) related to obtaining “Restore Act” funds, representing The County on the Florida Consortium, assisting the County by prioritizing projects and its Plan of Action, managing the process of moving the County plan through the Consortium and the Federal Gulf Coast Ecological Council, working with County departments to prioritize projects, and representing the County as directed by the County Administrator. The selected consultant will report directly to and work closely with the Restore Act Coordinator in all aspects of the process. The County is currently creating an Okaloosa RESTORE Act Committee (ORAC) that would consist of citizen members empanelled to assist the coordinator with the development of what we’re calling the Okaloosa County 5-year plan. This plan will outlay the county’s evaluation/awarding process of project submittals consistent with rules adopted by the U.S. Treasure Department (yet be to be provided). This advisory committee to the County will further serve to critique project submittals and providing rankings or prioritizations and ultimately make recommendations to the Board for awards. The consultant will work closely with this committee in the development of the 5-year plan and then continue throughout the committee’s evaluation of projects to facilitate the process and to ensure consistency in their application of the Board’s approved plan. The selected consultant shall: 1. Represent the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners (County) before the U. S. Congress, Florida State Legislature including its Committee and Agencies. The goal of such representation will be to secure any and all compensation or distribution of funds related to the BP Oil Spill, The “Restore Act” issues or other oil spill related compensation. 2. Provide monthly progress reports to the County Restore Act Coordinator and the County Administrator outlining activities performed and outlining any pending issues that may require action by the Board of County Commissioners or that impact the County and its funding posture with regard to the BP Oil Spill. 3. Prepare for, attend and document Kick-off meetings to establish the goals, objectives and priorities of the County Restore Act projects. 4. Attend (if possible) meetings (including but not limited to, Legislative, State Agency & County) where issues of importance related to BP Oil Spill to Okaloosa County are being discussed. Request the attendance of County Staff and designated Commissioner to travel to meetings to assist if necessary. 5. Travel to Okaloosa County as necessary to meet with staff and the Board in the development, review and follow-up of BP Oil Spill and Restore Act issues. Proposers must identify the number of trips allowed under the resulting agreement and outline costs for additional trips if required. Last Revised- 02-18-2013 Page 4  6. Demonstrate a keen understanding of County priorities, policy objectives, project merits and supporting data. 7. Investigate all sources of funds – related to the oil spill (Detail your familiarity of eligible funding sources). 8. Assist the County on the development of its plan – The County will appoint a committee to prioritize planned projects. The selected consultant will work closely with this committee to develop a strong proposal. (Please address how you will handle this in your proposal). 9. Manage the process – The selected consultant will be required to represent the County when the County plan is presented to the State Consortium through all the levels of negotiation and at all required locations. (Please address this in your proposal). 10. Cost/Budget – All proposals must list an annual fee (See Bid Sheet) and a summary of your fee schedule. (Hourly rates). 11. Term – The County will enter into a one (1) year contract with the successful consultant. The County will reserve the right to cancel the contract with sixty (60) day advance notice for failure to provide successful results or in the event funding is exhausted and services are no longer required. The contract may be renewed for two (2) additional one (1) year periods if in agreement by both parties. 12. The selected consultant will attend all Consortium meetings advocated on the behalf of the County and will facilitate contract and negotiation between the County, the Commission, the Governors’ Office, and the Consortium. 13. The selected consultant be qualified in multiple disciplines (engineers, environmental, biochemists, etc.) who will work at the direction of the Restore Act Coordinator in the development of the 5-year plan and then later assist the Restore Act Coordinator & the Committee in their evaluation process when projects begin getting critiqued. Last Revised- 02-18-2013 Page 5  SPECIAL CONDITIONS 1. Applicable Laws & Regulations – The proposers attention is directed to the fact that all applicable state laws, county municipal ordinances, orders, rules and regulations of all authorities having jurisdiction over project shall apply to the proposal throughout, and they will be deemed to be included in the contract the same as though they are written out in full herein. 2. Indemnification & Hold Harmless – Each proposer must submit an executed sworn certification that he will comply with the Hold Harmless Clause in accordance with the provisions of Florida Statutes, Section 725.06. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Proposer shall indemnify and hold harmless COUNTY, its officers and employees from liabilities, damages, losses, and costs including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees, to the extent caused by the negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongful conduct of the Proposer and other persons employed or utilized by the Proposer in the performance of this contract. 3. Conflict of Interest - The award hereunder is subject to the provisions of Chapter 112, Florida Statutes. All respondents must disclose with their proposals the name of any officer, director, or agent who is also a public officer or an employee of the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners, or any of its agencies.