Active SLED Opportunity · FLORIDA · COUNTY OF HERNANDO
AI Summary
Hernando County seeks a vendor to provide an integrated tourism data platform supporting strategic planning, marketing, and sustainability goals. The contract is for 3 years with optional extensions and a first-year budget of $53,500. The platform must include dashboards, reporting, and technical support.
The Hernando County Tourism Department, operating as Florida’s Adventure Coast Visitors Bureau, is seeking a qualified vendor to provide comprehensive tourism-related data through a fully integrated data platform.
This Request for Proposals (RFP) is intended to establish a long-term partnership with a data provider capable of supporting Florida’s Adventure Coast’s strategic planning, reporting, and marketing needs. The selected vendor will deliver data and insights via an integrated model, inclusive of a dashboard, reporting templates, technical support, and dedicated account management.
The initial contract term will be three (3) years, with the option for two (2) additional one-year extensions, subject to approval. The projected budget for the first year of service is $53,500; this amount is inclusive of all deliverables and services. Annual budgets for subsequent years will be determined based on available funding, organizational priorities, and evolving marketing strategies.
The Tourism Department currently engages two data vendors: one provides lodging data, which is integrated into a second platform delivering insights on geolocation, visitor spending, and event attendance. We now require a fully integrated data model that brings all relevant datasets together in a single, cohesive platform, while maintaining the granular level of lodging data currently provided. This unified system must support strategic planning, performance reporting, benchmarking, and predictive analytics.
Beyond core visitation metrics, the platform must also support our long-term goal of attracting and engaging more environmentally conscious visitors—travelers who value sustainability, responsible outdoor recreation, and the preservation of our unique natural assets. The data solution should enable:
Segmentation and targeting of audiences most aligned with sustainable travel behaviors, based on demographics, trip purpose, activity preferences, or repeat visitation patterns.
Campaign evaluation to measure the effectiveness of messaging and initiatives promoting eco-friendly travel, conservation-based tourism, and low-impact experiences.
Event and site-level analysis to assess potential environmental impact based on visitor volume, dwell time, and geofenced movement near sensitive natural areas.
Trend monitoring to anticipate shifts in traveler expectations and identify growth in markets that prioritize nature-based, low-carbon, or leave-no-trace principles.
By integrating sustainability into our data model, we aim to inform not only marketing strategy, but also destination stewardship and long-term resilience.
This section should identify the project principal, the project manager, key staff and subconsultants. Present a brief discussion regarding how the team's qualifications and experience relate to the specific project. Address the following:
Providing a sample dashboard is desirable. Explain how much is customizable and share source(s) of each type of data provided. At minimum we need sample reports for each component of the data and to know how much is customizable? For example, will Tourism staff be able to run reports on specific time periods if researching a particular event?
Note: Organization charts and graphs depicting your capacity may be included. Resumes of key personnel and their licenses, as applicable, must be provided.
This section describes the unique approach, products, and services the firm proposes to meet the needs described in the RFP. Address the following:
This section describes the relevant experience the firm and key staff have with projects of similar scope and complexity. Include three (3) letters of reference for projects of similar scope and complexity.
This section will be administratively scored. The maximum points assigned for pricing is twenty (20) points. The lowest cost pricing proposal will receive all twenty (20) points. The next lowest pricing will receive a portion of the twenty (20) points, and so on. For example, each pricing proposal will be evaluated by taking the lowest pricing proposal price and dividing it by the price of the pricing proposal being evaluated. The result is then multiplied by the weight of the price factor for the price score. The formula is:
Lowest Price = $100.00 =$100.00 = 20 points
2nd Lowest Price = $120.00 =$100.00/$120.00 = 0.833 x 20 points =16.67 points
3rd Lowest Price = $145.00 =$100.00/$145.00 = 0.689 x 20 points = 13.79 points
Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.
Please upload your company's W9 information
Bidders who are non-resident corporations shall furnish to the Owner a duly certified copy of their permit to transact business in the State of Florida along with the bid. Failure to submit this evidence or qualification to do business in the State of Florida may be basis for rejection of the bid.
If you are claiming local preference, please download the below documents, complete, and upload.
Are you fully authorized to bind this company, or corporation.
Please provide the information to support the statement below:
The Firm/Contractor represents that the following persons are authorized to sign and/or negotiate contracts and related documents to which the Firm/Contractor will be duly bound:
Name(s)
Title(s)
Email(s)
Phone(s)
Business Address(s)
Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.
I hereby propose to furnish the goods or services specified in the Request for Proposals at the prices or rates quoted in my Proposal. I agree that my RFP will remain firm for a period of up to one hundred and eighty (180) days in order to allow the County adequate time to evaluate the Proposals. Furthermore, I agree to abide by all conditions of the Proposal.
I have carefully examined the Request for Proposals/Qualifications (RFP/RFQ), Instructions to Proposers, General and/or Special Conditions, Specifications, RFP/RFQ Proposal and any other documents accompanying or made a part of this invitation.
I certify that all information contained in this RFP/RFQ is truthful to the best of my knowledge and belief. I further certify that I am a duly authorized to submit this RFP/RFQ on behalf of the Consultant/Firm as its act and deed and that the Consultant/Firm is ready, willing and able to perform if awarded the Contract.
I further certify that this RFP/RFQ is made without prior understanding, agreement, connection, discussion, or collusion with any person, firm or corporation submitting a RFP/RFQ for the same product or service; no officer, employee or agent of the Hernando County BCC or of any other Proposer interested in said RFP/RFQ; and that the undersigned executed this Proposer’s Certification with full knowledge and understanding of the matters therein contained and was duly authorized to do so.
I further certify that having read and examined the specifications and documents for the designated services and understanding the general conditions for Contract under which services will be performed, does hereby propose to furnish all labor, equipment, and material to provide the services set forth in the RFP/RFQ.
The undersigned further declares that the “work” will be performed in strict accordance with such requirements.
NO EXCEPTIONS ALLOWED:
I understand that Hernando County does not accept any Exceptions to the Sample Contract.
I have read and attest to, in accordance with Florida Statute 287.087, hereby certify that Proposer:
Publishes a written statement notifying that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the workplace named above, and specifying actions that will be taken against violations of such prohibition.
Informs employees about the dangers of drug abuse in the workplace, the firm’s policy of maintaining a drug free working environment, and available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and employee assistance programs, and the penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug use violations.
Gives each employee engaged in providing commodities or contractual services that are under proposal a copy of the statement specified above.
Notifies the employees that as a condition of working on the commodities or contractual services that are under proposal, the employee will abide by the terms of the statement and will notify the employer of any conviction of, pleas of guilty or nolo contendere to, any violation of Chapter 893, or of any controlled substance law of the State of Florida or the United States, for a violation occurring in the workplace, no later than five (5) days after such conviction, and requires employees to sign copies of such written statement to acknowledge their receipt.
Imposes a sanction on, or requires the satisfactory participation in, a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program, if such is available in the employee’s community, by any employee who is so convicted.
Makes a good faith effort to continue to maintain a drug free workplace through the implementation of the Drug Free Workplace Program.
“As a person authorized to sign this statement, I certify that the above named business, firm or corporation complies fully with the requirements set forth herein”.
Please Confirm that you have read and attest to this Drug Free Workplace Certificate
Section 287.135, Florida Statutes, prohibits agencies from contracting with companies for goods or services of $1,000,000.00 or more, that are on either the Scrutinized Companies with Activities in Sudan List, the Scrutinized Companies with Activities in the Iran Petroleum Energy Sector Lists which are created pursuant to s. 215.473 F.S., or the Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel List, created pursuant to s. 215.4725 F.S., or companies that are engaged in a boycott of Israel or companies engaged in business operations in Cuba or Syria.
As the person authorized to bind on behalf of respondent, I hereby certify that the company identified above in the section entitled “Respondent Vendor Name” is not listed on either the Scrutinized Companies with Activities in Sudan List or the Scrutinized Companies with Activities in the Iran Petroleum Energy Sector List, or the Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel List. I further certify that the company is not engaged in a boycott of Israel. I understand that pursuant to section 287.135, Florida Statutes, the submission of a false certification may subject company to civil penalties, attorney’s fees, and/or costs and does not have business operations in Cuba or Syria.
I have read and attest that I confirm the above is acknowledged.
Vendor/Contractor acknowledges and agrees to the following:
Vendor/Contractor shall utilize the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify system, in accordance with the terms governing use of the system, to confirm the employment eligibility of:
All persons employed by the Vendor/Contractor during the term of the Contract to perform employment duties within Florida; and
All persons, including subcontractors, assigned by the Vendor/Contractor to perform work pursuant to the Contract with the department.
Affidavit of Non Collusion and of Non-Interest of Hernando County Employees
Certification that Vendor/Contractor affirms that the bid/proposal presented to the Owner is made freely, and without any secret agreement to commit a fraudulent, deceitful, unlawful or wrongful act of collusion.
I have read and attest that I am the Vendor/Contractor in the above bid/proposal, that the only person or persons interested in said proposal are named therein; that no officer, employee or agent of the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) or of any other Vendor/Contractor is interested in said bid/proposal; and that affiant makes the above bid/proposal with no past or present collusion with any other person, firm or corporation.
Please confirm that you have read and attest to Affidavit of Non Collusion and of Non-Interest of Hernando County Employees.
287.138 F.S., prohibits agencies from contracting with companies which grant the Vendor/Contractor access to personal identifiable information if: a) the Contractor is owned by the government of a Foreign Country of Concern (as defined by the
statute): (b) the government of a Foreign Country of Concern has a controlling interest in the entity; or (c) the Contractor is organized under the law of or has its principal place of business in
a Foreign Country of Concern.
As the person authorized to bind on behalf of respondent, I hereby certify that the company identified above in the section entitled “Respondent Vendor Name” is not owned, controlled or organized under the law of a Foreign Country of Concern as identified in Section 287.138,
Florida statutes. I understand that the submission of a false certification may subject company to civil penalties, attorney’s fees, and/or costs.
I have read and attest that I confirm the above is acknowledged.
I have read and attest that I understand that a "public entity crime" as defined in Paragraph 287.133 (1)(g), Florida Statutes, means a violation of any public entity or with an agency or political subdivision of any other state or of the United States, including, but not limited to, any proposal or contract for goods or services to be provided to any public entity or an agency or political subdivision of any other state or of the United States and involving antitrust, fraud, theft, bribery, collusion, racketeering, conspiracy, or material misrepresentation.
I have read and attest that I understand that "convicted" or "conviction" as defined in Paragraph 287.133 (1)(b), Florida Statutes, means a finding of guilt or a conviction of a public entity crime, with or without an adjudication of guilt, in any Federal or State trial court of record relating to charges brought by indictment or information after July 1, 1989, as a result of a jury verdict, non-jury trial, or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere.
I have read and attest that I understand that an "affiliate" as defined in Paragraph 287.133 (1)(a), Florida Statutes, means:
I have read and attest that I understand that a "person" as defined in Paragraph 287.133(1)(e), Florida Statutes, means any natural person or entity organized under the laws of any state or of the United States with the legal power to enter into a binding contract and which proposals or applies to proposal on contracts for the provisions of goods or services let by a public entity, or which otherwise transacts or applies to transact business with a public entity. The term "person" includes those officers, directors, executives, partners, shareholders, employees, members, and agents who are active in management of an entity.
I have read and attest that based on information and belief, the statement which I have confirmed below is true in relation to the entity submitting this sworn statement:
I UNDERSTAND THAT THE SUBMISSION OF THIS FORM TO THE CONTRACTING OFFICER FOR THE PUBLIC ENTITY IDENTIFIED IN PARAGRAPH ONE (1) ABOVE IS FOR THAT PUBLIC ENTITY ONLY AND, THAT THIS FORM IS VALID THROUGH DECEMBER 31, OF THE CALENDAR YEAR IN WHICH IT IS FILED. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT I AM REQUIRED TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ENTITY PRIOR TO ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT.
Please upload your proposal. The Proposal Format section of Section 5 of this RFP/RFQ describes the required Proposal Format. Proposer's should also reference Section 6 Evaluation Criteria.
Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.
Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.
INSERT SHORT DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
PLEASE NOTE: In accordance with County Ordinance No. 93.16, Section 2-111 (Current Edition), contracts of professional services procurement of which is subject to the Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act are exempt from the local preference policy.
Please confirm with Chief Procurement Officer or designee if any of the listed insurance(s) are required for this project.
Is this solicitation grant funded?
SLED stands for State, Local, and Education. These are solicitations issued by state governments, counties, cities, school districts, utilities, and higher education institutions — as opposed to federal agencies.
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