Active SLED Opportunity · FLORIDA · CITY OF LAKELAND
AI Summary
The City of Lakeland seeks proposals for citywide drug and alcohol testing services to maintain a drug-free workplace. Services include DOT and Non-DOT testing, random and post-accident screenings, with a contract starting September 2026 for three years plus extensions. Evaluation is based on qualifications, experience, capacity, and pricing.
The City of Lakeland, hereinafter referred to as the "City," is soliciting proposals from reliable and qualified proposers, hereafter referred to as "Firm," to assist the City in maintaining a drug-free workplace in compliance with the Florida Drug-Free Workplace Act (F.S. 440.101 and 440.102) on a **CITYWIDE** basis for all City departments and work locations.
It is important that the City contract with a reliable and qualified Firm with knowledge of all applicable federal, state, local, and City laws and practices required to render comprehensive, professional, confidential, legally compliant and random drug and alcohol screenings, post-accident drug and alcohol screenings, and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol screenings as set forth in this RFP; including, but not limited to: DOT & Non-DOT Drug Screens, DOT & Non-DOT Alcohol Testing, On-Site After-Hours Drug & Alcohol Testing, On-Site Random Drug & Alcohol Testing, and Random Selection Process. The City will check references to help determine the most desirable Firm.
The awarded Firm providing services will be expected to adhere to and follow the guidelines set forth in the City's "Drug-Free Workplace & Mandatory Testing Policy," attached hereto. (ATTACHMENT I)
Pursuant to the Florida Interlocal Cooperation Act of 1969 (Section 163.01, Florida Statutes), the resulting contract may also be utilized by other qualified public agencies throughout the State of Florida.
Evaluation of the proposals will be based on the competitive selection process in which the evaluation of proposals will not be limited to price alone. The selection of a Proposer with whom to contract shall be based on the “best value to the City”. Best value means the overall value to the City, in the City's sole discretion.
The selection committee, shall select the proposals that will provide the best value to the city.
1. INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to select a qualified Firm to support the City's efforts to proffer and maintain a drug-free workplace environment for the benefit of all City employees and the general public, and in accordance with Florida law.
2. CONTRACT PERIOD:
Effective date of the Contract will be on September 1, 2026 (or date of actual award) for a period of three years, expiring on August 31, 2029, with the option to extend the Contract for two additional one-year periods, upon mutual agreement of both parties, for a total contract term of five years. Based on the response to this RFP, the Selection Committee will select and/or recommend to the City a Firm to provide the services required under this RFP.
3. BACKGROUND:
The City currently utilizes Medi-Test, Inc. for Occupational Health Services.
The City is located in central Florida and employs close to 2,700 employees with approximately 1,600 First Responders and Safety Sensitive positions included in the current random pool. Included in the total but in a separate pool there are just under 400 Commercial Drivers' licensed employees.
Risk Management/Safety administers the City’s Drug Free Workplace program which includes but is not limited to random testing, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident testing. The City is self-insured for Workers’ Compensation, thereby enjoying a credit from an active Drug-Free Workplace Program.
Proposals will be reviewed, scored and ranked by a Selection Committee using the evaluation criteria as outlined herein, and may conduct interviews with the top ranked Firms. The Selection Committee will make recommendations to the City Commissioners, which has the sole authority to make the final determination to award, revise, or reject a contract with the selected Firm.
Background information should be furnished as applicable (see questions), regarding the size of agency, personnel and qualifications (particularly of the representative who will serve the city), services,
Qualifications, Experience, and Licenses
MRO and Firm’s qualifications, experience and licenses.
Prior experience in providing evidence based best practices for drug and alcohol testing services similar in scope and nature stated in this RFP.
Experience in working with and coordinating with City Staff for services related to drug and alcohol testing.
Firm’s experience providing services for agencies with more than 1,800 employees
Resumes of key personnel demonstrating knowledge, skills and professional licenses and certifications to providing the requested services of this RFP.
References
References
Understanding and Approach
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, local and city laws and practices.
Knowledge and experience with professional, confidential, and legally compliant pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, steroid testing and medical review services.
Knowledge and experience in understanding the importance of 24-hour turnaround time for results, transportation of sample, Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) Confirmation, Chain of Custody Forms and medical review of services
Demonstrated ability to work efficiently and cooperatively with City staff; past performance with the City, and others (if applicable).
Capacity
Capacity to mobilize and perform the required services of this RFP.
Available personnel and equipment.
24 hour on call availability, including holidays.
24-hour turnaround time.
Continuous training of Firm’s Staff and MRO
Insurance.
Fee Structure
Notice: Section 1, 1.5. INSURANCE AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
A certificate of existing insurance coverage should be submitted with the proposal as proof of insurability. If the current coverage does not meet the RFP requirements, then the Respondent should request an affidavit of insurability from the Respondent’s insurance agent that certifies the requirements can and will be met.
FORM MAY BE FOUND UNDER SECTION 7: ATTACHMENTS, ATTACHMENT A
Notice: Section 1, 1.6. INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This agreement shall be signed, notarized, and returned with the RFP submittal. Failure to provide the Hold Harmless Indemnification Agreement may be cause for disqualification as non-responsive to the RFP requirements.
FORM MAY BE FOUND UNDER SECTION 7: ATTACHMENTS, ATTACHMENT H
Notice: Section 1, 1.7 HUMAN TRAFFICKING
This affidavit shall be signed, notarized, and returned with the RFP submittal. Failure to provide the Human Trafficking Affidavit may be cause for disqualification as non-responsive to the RFP requirements.
POLICY FOUND UNDER SECTION 7: ATTACHMENTS, ATTACHMENT I
Please confirm compliance:
Notice: Section 1, 1.8. DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE CERTIFICATION
Please confirm compliance:
Notice: Section 1, 1.9. SUSPENSION AND DEBARMENT CERTIFICATION
Please confirm compliance.
Notice: Section 1, 1.10. PUBLIC ENTITY CRIMES
Please confirm compliance:
Notice: Section 1, 1.11. CONFLICT OF INTEREST / STATEMENT OF NON-COLLUSION
Please confirm compliance:
Notice: Section 1, 1.12. E-VERIFY CERTIFICATION
Please confirm compliance:
“I attest no City of Lakeland employee, their spouse, or child has an ownership stake in this organization.”
THIS RFP SHALL BE VALID FOR SIXTY (60) DAYS FROM DATE OF OPENING.
The following RFP is in strict accordance with the City of Lakeland Request for Proposal No. 2026-RFP-072, dated Thursday, June 25, 2026 and all attachments as referenced therein.
“I hereby certify that I understand and am aware that the City of Lakeland at its sole discretion reserves the right to waive technicalities or irregularities, to reject any or all proposals, and/or to accept that proposal which is in the best interest of the City. The award of this RFP, if made, may be based on considerations other than total cost and may be awarded based on various considerations, including without limitation; Respondent’s experience and/or qualifications, past experience, administrative cost, standardization, technical evaluation and oral and/or written presentations as required. The City reserves the right to accept all or part, or to decline the whole, and to award this RFP to one (1) or more Respondents. There is no obligation to buy. The RFP, if awarded, will be in the judgement of the City the most responsive to the City’s needs. The City of Lakeland encourages the use of minority and women owned businesses as subcontractors or in joint venture arrangements.
If claiming Local Vendor Preference, I certify that the company satisfies each of the following criteria at the time of their submission of a response to the solicitation necessary to qualify as a “Local Business”: a vendor, supplier or contractor that: (i) conducts business within the jurisdictional limits of Lakeland Electric’s service territory by providing goods, services or construction; (ii) maintains a physical business location within the jurisdictional limits of Lakeland Electric’s service territory in an area legally zoned for conducting such business; (iii) conducts business on a daily basis from the local business location; (iv) has conducted business from such location for at least twelve (12) consecutive months prior to the due date for the applicable bid or proposal; and (v) provides a copy of its local business tax receipt, if located within the City of Lakeland, or a copy of its Polk County local business tax receipt, if located outside of the City limits but within Lakeland Electric’s service territory.”
Upload your complete proposal here.
Proposals should contain the following information:
Qualifications, Experience, Licenses, and References
MRO and Firm’s qualifications, experience and licenses.
Prior experience in providing evidence based best practices for drug and alcohol testing services similar in scope and nature stated in this RFP.
Experience in working with and coordinating with City Staff for services related to drug and alcohol testing.
Firm’s experience providing services for agencies with more than 1,800 employees
Resumes of key personnel demonstrating knowledge, skills and professional licenses and certifications to providing the requested services of this RFP.
Understanding and Approach
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, local and city laws and practices.
Knowledge and experience with professional, confidential, and legally compliant pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, steroid testing and medical review services.
Knowledge and experience in understanding the importance of 24-hour turnaround time for results, transportation of sample, Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) Confirmation, Chain of Custody Forms and medical review of services
Demonstrated ability to work efficiently and cooperatively with City staff; past performance with the City, and others (if applicable).
Capacity
Capacity to mobilize and perform the required services of this RFP.
Available personnel and equipment.
24-hour on call availability, including holidays.
24-hour turnaround time.
Continuous training of Firm’s Staff and MRO
Insurance
Fee Structure (Pricing Proposal Tables)
Notice: Section 1, 1.17. LOCAL VENDOR PREFERENCE
If claiming Local Vendor Preference, a valid Local Business Tax Receipt must be provided at the time the response is submitted in order to qualify for such consideration.
Respondents must provide at least 3 references with all details as requested for Reference 1 (15.1), Reference 2 (15.2), and Reference 3 (15.3).
These responses will be used to determine scores under Section 3: Selection Criteria.
The City will make reasonable efforts to contact the references provided. However, the City assumes no responsibility for references that cannot be reached, do not respond, or are otherwise unavailable. It is the Proposer’s responsibility to ensure the contact information provided is current and accurate.
Provide a complete client reference for drug and alcohol testing services by providing all information requested below.
The City will make reasonable efforts to contact the references provided. However, the City assumes no responsibility for references that cannot be reached, do not respond, or are otherwise unavailable. It is the Proposer’s responsibility to ensure the contact information provided is current and accurate.
Client’s Name & Address:
Contact Person (who has knowledge of your firm's performance)
Phone:
E-Mail:
Services Provided:
Provide a complete client reference for drug and alcohol testing services by providing all information requested below.
The City will make reasonable efforts to contact the references provided. However, the City assumes no responsibility for references that cannot be reached, do not respond, or are otherwise unavailable. It is the Proposer’s responsibility to ensure the contact information provided is current and accurate.
Client’s Name & Address:
Contact Person (who has knowledge of your firm's performance)
Phone:
E-Mail:
Services Provided:
Provide a complete client reference for drug and alcohol testing services by providing all information requested below.
The City will make reasonable efforts to contact the references provided. However, the City assumes no responsibility for references that cannot be reached, do not respond, or are otherwise unavailable. It is the Proposer’s responsibility to ensure the contact information provided is current and accurate.
Client’s Name & Address:
Contact Person (who has knowledge of your firm's performance)
Phone:
E-Mail:
Services Provided:
**You are only required to provide three references. If you would like to provide additional reference(s) you may choose to do so below. This is optional (not required).
Provide a complete client reference for drug and alcohol testing services by providing all information requested below.
The City will make reasonable efforts to contact the references provided. However, the City assumes no responsibility for references that cannot be reached, do not respond, or are otherwise unavailable. It is the Proposer’s responsibility to ensure the contact information provided is current and accurate.
Client’s Name & Address:
Contact Person (who has knowledge of your firm's performance)
Phone:
E-Mail:
Services Provided:
These responses will be used to determine scores under Section 3: Selection Criteria.
The liability limits shall not be less than: $ _____
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limits of not less than $_____ per occurrence.
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The liability limits shall not be less than $_____ single limit each occurrence.
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The liability limits shall not be less than: $ _____
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The liability limits shall not be less than: $ ______
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The liability limits shall not be less than: $ ______
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Q (No subject): Is subcontracting permitted under RFP 2026-RFP-072? Does the prime contractor have to perform a minimum percentage of the work? Is the City looking for one awarded vendor or multiple vendors? Approximately how many employees are covered under the testing program? How many drug and alcohol tests are performed annually (DOT and non-DOT)? How many after-hours and on-site collections are typically requested each year? Does the City currently use a Third-Party Administrator (TPA)? If so, will incumbent experience be considered? Will there be a pre-proposal meeting or site visit? Are mobile collection services required throughout the entire city? Is there a local office requirement, or can services be provided through a statewide partner? Are letters of commitment from subcontractors acceptable as proof of capability? Are there any mandatory certifications beyond those listed in the RFP?
A: Is subcontracting permitted under RFP 2026-RFP-072? While subcontracting is not inherently prohibited in Florida municipal RFQs, it must be allowed by the RFP’s terms. As the RFP terms are silent for RFP 2026-RFP-072, subcontracting is not permitted. Does the prime contractor have to perform a minimum percentage of the work? Not applicable. Is the City looking for one awarded vendor or multiple vendors? One vendor. Approximately how many employees are covered under the testing program? Est 2000 How many drug and alcohol tests are performed annually (DOT and non-DOT)? Test Type Amount Percent Frequency Total Randoms(At Risk) 1251 50.00% Annually 626 Randoms (CDL) 391 50.00% Annually 196 New Hires 300 100.00% Annually 300 Post Accident 25 100.00% Annually 25 1146 How many after-hours and on-site collections are typically requested each year? After-Hours Drug Screen-maybe 5 per year Does the City currently use a Third-Party Administrator (TPA)? No If so, will incumbent experience be considered? Will there be a pre-proposal meeting or site visit? Not applicable. Are mobile collection services required throughout the entire city? Yes Is there a local office requirement, or can services be provided through a statewide partner? Not applicable. Are letters of commitment from subcontractors acceptable as proof of capability? Not applicable. Are there any mandatory certifications beyond those listed in the RFP? The laboratory must be licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) under Fla. Admin. Code 59A 24.006 and comply with Fla. Stat. §§ 112.0455, 440.102, and Chapter 408, Part II.
Q (No subject): Does the City have their own toxicology account for employer drug testing established with a SAMSHA certified lab?
A: No
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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