Consultant Services for the South Apopka Annexation Feasibility Study

The City of Apopka "the City" is seeking proposals for a comprehensive feasibility study for the annexation of South Apopka, from qualified Consultants who specialize in annexation feasibility studies, to be submitted via the City’s e-Procurement Portal, OpenGov (https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/apopka).

The selected firm will conduct a comprehensive annexation feasibility study and prepare a written report consistent with the requirements of Fla. Stat. § 171.042. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the practicability and implications of annexing specified unincorporated areas into the City’s municipal boundaries and to document the City’s plans for the extension of urban services to such areas.

Proposals will be received until 2:00 pm on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Late responses will not be accepted.

Background

The City is the second largest city in Orange County.  Nestled in Central Florida, it lies approximately 20 miles northwest of Orlando. Apopka covers an area of over 33 square miles and is home to approximately 62,000 residents.  The City embodies a blend of suburban comfort and natural beauty. The City prides itself on its rich agricultural heritage, serene atmosphere, and close-knit community. The City's landscape features lush green spaces, scenic parks, and a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, making it a sought-after destination for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful lifestyle. With attractions like Wekiva Springs State Park, Rock Springs Run State Reserve, and Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. The City is renowned for its abundant wildlife and natural wonders, offering visitors a chance to explore and appreciate the region's ecological diversity.

The City operates under a strong Mayor-Council form of government consisting of a five-member City Council. The City Council is responsible for establishing policy, passing ordinances, resolutions, budget adoption, and appointing committees, among other duties. The Mayor is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the government. The City Council is elected on a non-partisan basis. City Council members serve four-year staggered terms, with two council members elected every two years. The Mayor is elected to serve a four-year term.

The City currently employs just over 500 full time employees, with a total annual budget of $165,828,988 in fiscal year 2024. This annual budget includes enterprise funds which are a type of fund that provide for goods and services to help make the City self-sustaining.

The City provides a full range of services.  These services include:

1. Police and Fire Protection
2. Construction and Maintenance of Streets, Sidewalks and Other Infrastructure
3. Water, Wastewater, Reclaimed Water
4. Sanitation Services Management
5. Information Technology and Communications
6. Engineering and Planning
7. Code Enforcement
8. Recreational Programs and Cultural Events including Administration and Support Services
9. Community, Economic and Tourism development
10. Finance, Budget, and General Administration

Project Details

• Reference ID: 2026-A-284
• Department: Finance Department
• Department Head: Gladymir Ortega (Director)

Important Dates

• Questions Due: 2026-03-19T03:30:00.000Z

Meetings & Milestones

Evaluation Criteria

• Qualifications and Experience of Firm and Project Team (35 pts) —

  Did the firm clearly demonstrate the qualifications and experience of the team both individually and collectively, in annexation plans or studies, including the fiscal impact of annexation. Have they included at least three (3) examples of annexation projects they have successfully implemented. See Sections 3.6 - Letter of Interest, 3.7 - Firm Profile, 3.8 - Qualifications and Experience of the Firm and Project Team.

• Understanding of the Scope of Services and the Overall Project Approach, Methodology and Ability to Meet Timeline (40 pts) —

  Did the firm clearly demonstrate the ability to perform the requirements of Section 2, Scope of Services, of this solicitation, by describing exactly how this will be accomplished, including the overall project approach, methodology and ability to meet the timeline, as specified in Section 3.9 - Understanding of the Scope of Services and the Overall Project Approach, Methodology and Ability to Meet Timeline.

• Price Proposal (25 pts) —

  The score for the Price Proposal shall be determined by Procurement utilizing a mathematical calculation with distribution of points calculated as a percentage compared to the lowest cost proposal received. For example, if:

  Proposer A submits a price of $100,000,

  Proposer B submits a price of $120,000, and

  Proposer C submits a price of $150,000

   

  Proposer A would receive 100% of the possible points (25) for cost because Proposer A submitted the lowest rate.

  Proposer B would receive 83.33% ($100,000 / $120,000) multiplied by the by the available points for a total of 20.8 points; and

  Proposer C would receive 66.67% ($100,000 / $150,000) multiplied by the available points for a total of 16.67 points.

Submission Requirements

• Addendum, Questions and Answers —

  I have read all posted addendum, questions and answers for this project.

• Qualifications and Experience of Firm and Project Team (required) —

  Please upload all documentation require in Section 3.6 - Letter of Interest, 3.7 - Firm Profile, Section 3.8 - Qualifications and Experience (Including Professional Reference Form).

• Bond Requirement (required) —

  By submitting a response to this solicitation, the proposer has read, understands and agrees to providing a Payment & Performance bond in the amount of 100% of the total bid price within ten (10) days from the date fo notification of award.

• Understanding of the Scope of Services, General Scope, Overall Project Approach, Methodology and Ability to Meet Timeline (required) —

  As required in Section 3.9, please attach the detailed description of the firm's ability to perform the requirements of the Scope of Services, Section 2 of this solicitation, which include the overall project approach, methodology and ability to meet the timeline. Shall not exceed ten (10) single-sided pages. 

• Proposer's Certification (required) —

  I have carefully examined the Request for Proposals.

  I hereby propose to furnish the services specified in the Request for Proposals. I agree that my submittal will remain firm for a period of up to at least one-hundred-twenty (120) days in order to allow the City adequate time to evaluate/review the submittals.

  I certify that all information contained in this submittal is truthful. I further certify that I am duly authorized to provide this submittal on behalf of the firm as its act and deed and that the firm is ready, willing and able to perform if awarded the contract.

  I further certify, under oath, that this submittal is made without prior understanding, agreement, connection, discussion, or collusion with any other person, firm or corporation tendering a submittal for the same service; that no officer, employee, or agent of the City of Apopka or any other respondent is interested in said submittal; and that the undersigned executed this Respondent’s Certification with full knowledge and understanding of the matters therein contained and was duly authorized to do so.

• Business Entity Affidavit (required) —

  I, being an authorized representative submitting a proposal on behalf of my organization, being first duly sworn state: The full legal name and business address of the person(s) or entity contracting or transacting business with the City of Apopka(“City”) are (Post Office addresses are not acceptable), as follows:

  1. Federal Employer Identification Number (If none, Social Security Number)
  2. Name of Entity, Individual, Partners or Corporation

  3. Doing Business As (If same as above, leave blank)

  4. Street Address, Suite (if applicable), City, State, Zip Code

• Minority/Women Business Enterprise Certification** (required) —

  In an effort to increase the number of qualified Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Contractors, is your firm a Certified M/WBE?

• M/WBE Certification Upload —

  If you responded YES to question 10, please upload your M/WBE certification here.

• Drug Free Workplace Certification (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• Human Trafficking Affidavit* (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• E-Verify Certification Statement** (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload. If you are not registered with E-Verify, please register and upload proof of E-Verify registration Employers (e-verify.gov) .  se download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• Americans with Disabilities Act (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete and have notarized. An online notarization option will be provided for you when responding.

• Ownership Disclosure Affidavit (required) —

  1. If the contract or business transaction is with a corporation, the full legal name and business address shall be provided for each officer and director and each stockholder who holds directly or indirectly five percent (5%) or more of the corporation’s stock. If the contract or business transaction is with a trust, the full legal name and address shall be provided for each trustee and each beneficiary. All such names and addresses are (Post Office addresses are not acceptable), as follows:

  Full Legal Name
  Address
  Ownership Percentage

  2. The full legal names and business address of any other individual (other than subcontractors, material men, suppliers, laborers, or lenders) who have, or will have, any interest (legal, equitable, beneficial or otherwise) in the contract or business transaction with the City are (Post Office addresses are not acceptable).

• Conflict or Non-Conflict of Interest Statement (required) —

  Select one.

• Trench Safety Act (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• Public Entity Crimes Statement (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete and have notarized. An online notarization option will be provided for you when responding.

• Foreign Country of Concern Attestation (PUR 1355) (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• Litigation Statement (required) —

  Select one and respond to the next question.

  Failure to check the appropriate option may result in disqualification of your proposal. Likewise, failure to provide documentation of a possible conflict of interest, or a summary of past litigation, may result in disqualification of your proposal.

• Complaints/Disciplinary Actions: (required) —

  Please identify if any complaints or disciplinary actions have been filed against the firm/contractor within the last 5 years to the Florida Bar/State/Federal or any other applicable regulatory agencies (such as DBPR, SEC, Licensing).

• Acknowledgement (required) —

  The PROPOSER acknowledges and understands that the information contained in response to this Qualification Statement shall be relied upon by CITY in awarding the contract and such information is warranted by PROPOSER to be true. The discovery of any omission or misstatement that materially affects the PROPOSER’S qualifications to perform under the contract shall cause the CITY to reject the Bid, and if after the award, to cancel and terminate the award and/or contract.

• Signature Page (required) —

  The undersigned attests to his (her, their) authority to submit this Submittal and to bind the firm(s) herein named to perform as per agreement. Further, by signature, the undersigned attests to the following:

  1. The Proposer is financially solvent and sufficiently experienced and competent to perform all of the work required of the Proposer in the Contract;
  2. The facts stated in the Proposer’s response pursuant to Request for Submittals, instructions to Proposer and Specifications are true and correct in all respects;
  3. The Proposer has read and complied with, and submits their proposal agreeing to all of the requirements, terms and conditions as set forth in the Request for Proposals.
  4. The Proposer warrants all materials supplied by it are delivered to the CITY of Apopka, Florida, free from any security interest, and other lien, and that the Proposer is a lawful owner having the right to supply the same and will defend the conveyance to the CITY of Apopka, Florida, against all persons claiming the whole or any part thereof.
  5. Proposer understands that if a team is short listed and selected to make oral presentations to the selection committee and/or CITY, only the team members evaluated in the written submissions may present at the oral presentations. Any changes to the team at the oral presentations will result in that team’s disqualification.
  6. The undersigned certifies that if the firm is selected by the City the firm will negotiate in good faith to establish an agreement.
  7. Proposer understands that all information listed above may be checked by the City of Apopka and Proposer authorizes all entities or persons listed above to answer all questions. Proposer hereby indemnifies the City of Apopka and the persons and entitles listed above and holds them harmless from any claim arising from such authorization or the exercise thereof, including the dissemination of information pursuant thereto.
• Bond Requirement (required) —

  Is there a bond requirement for this project?

• Pre-Proposal Meeting (required) —

  What type of pre-proposal meeting will be held for this project?

• Type of Project (required) —

  Will this solicitation be for a construction project?

• Years of Experience (required) —

  If this is a construction project, please share the number of years of experience required to be eligible to submit a response for this project.

  Use the following format:
  three (3) years

  If this is not a construction project, please type "N/A".

• Term of Contract (required) —

  Please select the term of contract for this project.

• Initial Term (required) —

  What is the inital term of this contract?

  Use the following format:
  two (2) years OR fifteen (15) business days

• Renewal Term (required) —

  What is the renewal term of the contract resulting from this solicitation?

  Use the following format:
  four (4)

  If there will not be renewals for this project, please type "N/A".

• Do you require Pollution Insurance? (required) —

  Pollution Insurance is usually required for our construction services. However if you are unsure if it should be a requirement, please reach out to Kristi Funke in our Risk Division.

• Do you require Professional Liability Insurance? (required) —

  Professional Liability Insurance is usually required for Professional Services (Auditors/Engineers). However if you are unsure if it should be a requirement, please reach out to Kristi Funke in our Risk Division.