St. Cloud Joint Planning Area Watershed Master Plan

1. SCOPE OF SERVICES SUMMARY
   

   Pursuant to the requirements set forth in the Consultant's Competitive Negotiations Act (CCNA), Section 287.055, Florida Statutes, the City of St. Cloud is seeking to engage a qualified firm to provide a comprehensive Watershed Master Plan (WMP) for the City's Joint Planning Area, as specified in the Detailed Scope of Services and Requirements Section of this RFQ document. The selected consultant will provide technical, planning, and stakeholder engagement services to evaluate watershed conditions, assess flood risks, and develop implementable strategies for flood mitigation, stormwater management, and water quality improvement. The consultant will demonstrate expertise in hydrology, hydraulics, floodplain analysis, environmental engineering, ecology, and urban planning. The selection of the successful consultant shall be at the City’s discretion and shall be made in a prompt manner after receipt and evaluation of all responses. If you are interested in preparing a response to this RFQ, please complete all the requirements set forth in this RFQ document. Under the solicitation process, the stipulations set forth herein are fully binding on the proposer to the extent that you confirm acceptance by your electronic signature on the Respondent’s Certification.

2. PRE-RESPONSE CONFERENCE
   

   A pre-response conference is not required for this RFQ.

3. CONTRACT FOR SERVICES
   

   After selection, Consultant(s) will be required to negotiate and execute a Professional Services Agreement with the City. Contract term will be effective upon execution by both parties and shall remain in effect through completion of the consulting services for this project.

4. MINIMUM BIDDER QUALIFICATIONS
   In order for a submittal to be considered by the City, firms shall demonstrate, in their proposals, compliance with the following minimum requirements:

   • Firm must demonstrate experience with developing a WMP with a specific expertise in hydrology, hydraulics, floodplain analysis, environmental engineering, ecology, and urban planning, with a minimum of five (5) years experience providing engineering services to public sector entities.

   • Firm licensed to do business in the State of Florida.
   • Firm's team must include, at a minimum, a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) with expertise in the NFIP Community Rating System (CRS), a Licensed Professional Engineer (PE), a certified planner (AICP or equivalent), a GIS specialist, and an environmental scientist or ecologist. 
5. FUND AVAILABILITY
   Any Contract resulting from this solicitation is deemed effective only to the extent that funds are available. The City of St. Cloud abides by the provisions set forth in Florida Statutes relative to appropriations of funds. The ability of the successful Proposer to maintain a sense of fiscal responsibility and budgetary awareness shall be favorably considered in the ranking and award of a contract. This disclosure is being made to assist all Proposers in the gauging of their desire to participate in this Proposal and in the planning and preparation of their written response. The City reserves the right to negotiate all Proposer fees, costs, charges, for any proposed services or appurtenant requirement.
6. PERSONNEL
   The work shall be performed and directed by the key personnel identified in the submittal from the awarded firm or individual in response to this RFQ. The awarded firm or individual shall not subcontract, assign or transfer any work under the agreement without the prior written consent of the City. Subconsultants must be identified in the submittal and shall be subject to the approval of the City. Any changes in the identified personnel shall be subject to the prior review and approval of the City. When directed by the City, subconsultants personnel whose performance or behavior is determined to be unsatisfactory shall be immediately removed. The awarded firm or individual shall provide a sufficient number of qualified personnel as necessary to effectively carry out its responsibilities under the agreement.
7. ADDITIONAL PROJECT INFORMATION

   Project Funded: General Fund

   Estimated Project Cost: $600,000.00

   Pre-Bid Meeting: No

Background

The City of St. Cloud is a community of approximately 71,000 residents, covering approximately 36 square miles in Osceola County, located in Central Florida. To obtain general information about the City of St. Cloud, access www.stcloudfl.gov.

Project Details

• Reference ID: 2026-039
• Department: Procurement
• Department Head: Leslie Flores (Procurement Services Director)

Important Dates

• Questions Due: 2026-05-18T21:00:48.031Z

Evaluation Criteria

• FIRM QUALIFICATIONS, DEMONSTRATED EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE (40 pts)
• PROJECT UNDERSTANDING AND PROPOSED APPROACH (40 pts)
• SIMILAR PROJECTS AND REFERENCES (20 pts)

Submission Requirements

• DBA (required)
• Authorized Representative Name/Title (required)
• Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) (required) —

  Verfied in SunBiz

• PROPOSAL (required) —
  1. TITLE PAGE
     1. The title page shall list the subject “RFQ NO. 2026-039 ST. CLOUD JOINT PLANNING AREA WATERSHED MASTER PLAN.” It shall also contain the proposing firm’s full legal name, physical address, mailing address (if different than physical address), telephone number and e-mail address, as well as the name, address, telephone and/or cell phone number, and e-mail address of a contact person.
  2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
     1. The table of contents shall list all major topics with their corresponding section title or heading and beginning page number.
  3. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
     1. This letter will summarize in a brief and concise manner that the Respondent understands the scope of services and makes a positive commitment to provide the services in a professional manner. The letter should name all of the person(s) who will be authorized to make representations for the Respondent, their titles, street addresses, e-mail addresses, and telephone/fax numbers. Identify the individual who will have primary responsibility for this contract and ongoing services with the City. The letter shall be signed by a representative who is authorized to contractually bind the company.
  4. FIRM QUALIFICATIONS, DEMONSTRATED EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE
     1. Respondents to this RFQ must provide:
        1. Qualifications and experience of the firm, including type of business entity, organizational size, structure and history of the organization, experience in the provision of engineering consulting services. Respondent's must provide supporting information/documentation that demonstrates their ability to satisfy all of the minimum qualification  requirements listed in Section 2.2.
        2. Organizational chart with team member resumes. The Respondent shall provide an organizational chart depicting the proposed project team and each team member’s role on the project. Provide any other documentation that demonstrates their ability to satisfy all of the minimum qualification requirements listed in Section 2.2.
        3. Identify any subconsultants who are to participate in providing services. This must include their respective tasks or disciplines they are to perform and evidence of their qualifications (name, project role, business address, phone number and email address) including job skills, education (degree and specification), professional training, total years of experience, years of experience with the current firm, years of experience working with the respondent, percent of subconsultants business to be performed for prime and also include past relationships, professional registration, and other professional qualification requirements listed in Section 2.2.
        4. Current and projected workload. Provide a list of your current and projected workload addressing the addition of the City as a client.
  5. PROJECT UNDERSTANDING AND PROPOSED APPROACH
     1. Technical Approach
        1. Respondent shall include a proposed approach for providing the services outlined in Attachment "B", Proposed Detailed City of St. Cloud WMP Scope of Work as understood by the firm and the ability of the firm to provide such resources.
        2.  Describe the firm's internal process to include project management and quality control. 
        3. Describe steps you would propose to control cost of the project.
        4. Propose a scheduling methodology (timeline) for effectively managing and executing the work in optimum time. 
        5. Describe other technological capabilities and other available resources your firm may offer for the project. 
  6. SIMIILAR PROJECTS AND REFERENCES
     1. To demonstrate experience and success in conducting similar engineering consulting services, the proposer shall provide a minimum of five (5) similar contracts that best illustrates the proposed team’s qualification for the scope of services indicated in this RFQ. This shall include project name, project start and completion date, client name and contact information, project staff involved from the proposed project team as listed on the organization chart (to be included with submittal); and a detailed description of the project and its applicability to evaluation of this RFQ.
     2. Provide at least three (3) examples or case studies of present/past clients highlighting measurable impacts and performance results from projects similar to the scope of work detailed in Attachment "B".
• ADDITIONAL DATA TO SUPPORT PROPOSAL (required) —

  Provide a copy of your current certificate of insurance. During the entire period of performance of any contract resulting from this solicitation, the successful Proposer shall procure and maintain the minimum insurance coverage required by the City of St. Cloud as stipulated in the Insurance Requirements Section. Policies other than Workers’ Compensation shall be issued only by companies authorized by subsisting certificates of authority issued to the company by the Department of Insurance of the State of Florida to conduct business in the State of Florida, with a minimum A.M. Best rating of VII/A-. Proof of such insurance must be provided to the City prior to beginning contract performance.

• COMPLIANCE FORMS
• Respondent's Certification (required) —

  I have carefully examined this Request for Qualifications.

  I hereby propose to furnish the services specified in the Solicitation. I agree that my submittal will remain firm for a period of at least 90 days in order to allow the City adequate time to award bid.

  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 St. Cloud 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.

• Sworn Statement Pursuant to Section 287.133(3)(a), Florida Statutes, on Public Entity Crimes (required) —

  I understand that a “”public entity crime” as defined in Paragraph 287.133 (1)(g), Florida Statutes, means a violation of any state or federal law by a person with respect to and directly related to the transaction of business with 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 bid 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 misrepresentations.

  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 non contendere.

  I understand that an “affiliate” as defined in Paragraph 287.133(1)(a), Florida Statutes, means:

  1. A predecessor or successor of a person convicted of a public entity crime; or 
  2. An entity under the control of any natural person who is active in the management of the entity and who has been convicted of a public entity crime. The term “affiliate” includes those officers, directors, executives, partners, shareholders, employees, members, and agents who are active in the management of an affiliate. The ownership by one person of shares constituting a controlling interest in another person, or a pooling of equipment or income among persons when not for fair market value under an arm’s length agreement, shall be a prima facie case that one person controls another person. A person who knowingly enters into a joint venture with a person who has been convicted of a public entity crime in Florida during the preceding 36 months shall be considered an affiliate.

  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 legal power to enter into a binding contract and which bids or applies to bid on contracts for the provision 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, and partners. Shareholders, employees, members, and agents who are active in management of an entity.

  Based on information and belief, the statement, which I have marked below, is true in relations to the entity submitting this sworn statement. (Indicate which statement applies).

       □ Neither the entity submitting this sworn statement, nor any of its officers, directors, executives,  partners, shareholders, employees, members, or agents who are active in the management of the entity, nor any affiliate of the entity has been charged with and convicted of a public entity crime subsequent to July 1, 1989.

       □ The entity submitting this sworn statement, or one or more of its officers, directors, executives, partners, shareholders, employees, members, or agents who are active in the management of the entity, or an affiliate of the entity has been charged with and convicted of a public entity crime  subsequent to July 1, 1989.

       □ The entity submitting this sworn statement, or one or more of its officers, directors, executives, partners, shareholders, employees, members, or agents who are active in the management of the entity, or an affiliate of the entity has been charged with and convicted of a public entity crime subsequent to July 1, 1989. However, there has been a subsequent proceeding before a Hearing  Officer of the State of Florida, Division of Administrative Hearings and the final Order entered by              the Hearing Officer determined that it was not in the public interest to place the entity submitting  this sworn statement on the convicted vendor list (attach a copy of the final order). 

  I UNDERSTAND THAT THE SUBMISSION OF THIS FORM TO THE CONTRACTING OFFICER FOR THE PUBLIC ENTITY IDENTIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 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 IN EXCESS OF THE THRESHOLD AMOUNT PROVIDED IN SECTION 287.017, FLORIDA STATUTES FOR CATEGORY TWO OF ANY CHANGE IN THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM. 

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Disability Nondiscrimination Statement (required) —

  I, being duly first sworn state: That the named firm, corporation or organization is in compliance with and agreed to continue to comply with, and assure that any subcontractor, or third party contractor under this project complies with all applicable requirements of the laws listed below including, but not limited to, those provision pertaining to employment, provision of programs and services, transportation, communications, access to facilities, renovations, and new construction. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Pub. L. 101-336, 104 Stat327,42USC1210112213 and 47 USC Sections 225 and 661 including Title I, Employment; Title II, Public Services: Title III, Public Accommodations and Services Operated by Private entities; Title IV, Telecommunications; and Title V, Miscellaneous Provisions. The Florida Americans with Disabilities Accessibility Implementation Act of 1993, Section 553.501-553.513, Florida Statutes: The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 229 USC Section 794; The Federal Transit Act, as amended 49 USC Section 1612; The Fair Housing Act as amended 42USC Section 3601-3631

   

• Business Entity Affidavit (Vendor/Bidder Disclosure) (required) —

  OWNERSHIP DISCLOSURE AFFIDAVIT

  1. If the contact 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 %:

  The full legal names and business address of any other individual (other than subcontractors, materialmen, 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), as follows

   

• City of St. Cloud Drug Free Workplace Compliance Form (required) —

  Preference shall be given to businesses with drug-free workplace programs. Whenever two or more bids, which are equal with respect to price, quality, and service, are received by the State or by any political subdivision for the procurement of commodities or contractual services, a bid received from a business that certifies that it has implemented a drug-free workplace program shall be given preference in the award process. Established procedures for processing tie bids will be followed if none of the tied vendors have a drug-free workplace program. In order to have a drug-free workplace program, a business shall: (The undersigned vendor in accordance with Florida Statute 287.087 hereby certifies that does): (Name of Business)

  1. Publish a statement notifying employees that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the workplace and specifying the actions that will be taken against employees for violations of such prohibition.  
  2. Inform employees about the dangers of drug abuse in the workplace, the business’s policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace, any available drug counseling rehabilitation, and employee assistance programs, and the penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations.
  3. Give each employee engaged in providing the commodities or contractual services that are under bid a copy of the statement specified in Subsection 1.
  4. In the statement specified in Subsection 1, notify the employees that, as a condition of working on the commodities or contractual services that are under bid, the employee will abide by the terms of the statement and will notify the employer of any conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contender to, any violation of Chapter 1893 or of any controlled substance law of the United States or any state, for a violation occurring in the workplace no later than five (5) days after such conviction.
  5. Impose a sanction on, or require 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.
  6. Make a good faith effort to continue to maintain a drug-free workplace through implementation of this section.

  As the person authorized to sign the statement, I confirm that this form complies fully with the above requirements. 

   

• No Lobbying Affidavit (required) —

  I confirm that I am an authorized representative, maker of the attached submittal made in response to a request for bid, proposals, qualifications and/or any other solicitation released by the City of St. Cloud, and swear that the bidder and any of its agents agrees to abide by the City of St. Cloud’s no lobbying restrictions in regard to this solicitation 

• Certification for Contracts, Grants, Loans, and Cooperative Agreements (required) —

  The undersigned certifies, to the best of his or her knowledge, that: 1. No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the undersigned, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of an agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the awarding of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement. 2. If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement, the undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form- LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in accordance with its instructions. 3. The undersigned shall require that the language of this certification be included in the award documents for all sub awards at all tiers (including subcontracts, sub grants, and contracts under grants, loans, and cooperative agreements) and that all sub recipients shall certify and disclose accordingly. This certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when this transaction was made or entered into. Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making or entering into this transaction imposed by 31, U.S.C. § 1352 (as amended by the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995). Any person who fails to file the required certification shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000 for each such failure. The undersigned Contractor hereby certifies and attests to the accuracy of each statement of its certification and disclosure, if any. In addition, the Contractor understands and agrees that the provisions of 31 U.S.C. § 3801 et seq., apply to this certification and disclosure, if any.

   

• Vendor Certification of Scrutinized Companies Lists (required) —

  Section 287.135, Florida Statutes, prohibits agencies from contracting with companies for goods or services of $1,000,000 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. As the person authorized to sign 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.

  I confirm that I am authorized to sign on behalf of the referenced company and certify acknowledgement and acceptance that the above statement is true. 

   

• Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters (required) —

  This certification is required by the Federal Regulations Implementing Executive Order 12549, Debarment and Suspension, 45 CFR Part 93, Government-wide Debarment and Suspension, for the Department of Agriculture (7CFR Part 3017), Department of Labor (29 CFR Part 98), Department of Education (34 CFR Parts 85,668,682), Department of Health and Human Services (45 CFR Part 76).

  I, the prospective bidder certify to the best of its knowledge and belief that it and its principals:

  1. Are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from covered transactions by any Federal department or agency;
  2. Have not within a three year period preceding this proposal been convicted of or had a civil judgement rendered against them for commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a (Federal, State, or local) transaction or contract under a public transaction; violation of Federal or State antitrust statutes or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements , or receiving stolen property;
  3. Are not presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a government entity (Federal, State, or local) with commission of any offenses enumerated in paragraph (B) of this certification; and
  4. Have not within a three-year period preceding this application/proposal had one or more public transactions (Federal, State, local) terminated for cause or default.

  I understand that a false statement on this certification may be grounds for rejection of this proposal or termination of the award. Any exceptions provided will not necessarily result in denial of award, but will be considered in determining bidder responsibility and whether or not the City will enter into contract with the party. For any exception noted, indicate on an attached sheet to whom it applies, initiating agency, and dates of action. Providing false information may result in criminal prosecution or administrative sanctions.

• E-Verify Compliance Form (required) —

  Definitions:

   “Contractor” means a person or entity that has entered or is attempting to enter into a contract with a public employer to provide labor, supplies, or services to such employer in exchange for salary, wages, or other remuneration.

   “Subcontractor” means a person or entity that provides labor, supplies, or services to or for a contractor or another subcontractor in exchange for salary, wages, or other remuneration.

  Effective January 1, 2021, public and private employers, contractors and subcontractors will begin required registration with, and use of the E-verify system in order to verify the work authorization status of all newly hired employees. Vendor/Consultant/Contractor acknowledges and agrees to utilize the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify System to verify the employment eligibility of: 

  1.  All persons employed by Vendor/Consultant/Contractor to perform employment duties within         Florida during the term of the contract; and
  2. All persons (including subvendors/subconsultants/subcontractors) assigned by Vendor/Consultant/Contractor to perform work pursuant to the contract with the Department.         The Vendor/Consultant/Contractor acknowledges and agrees that use of the U.S. Department       of  Homeland Security’s E-Verify System during the term of the contract is a condition of the           contract with the City of St. Cloud, Florida; and
  3. Should vendor become successful Contractor awarded for the above-named project, by              entering into this Contract, the Contractor becomes obligated to comply with the provisions of Section 448.095, Fla. Stat., "Employment Eligibility," as amended from time to time. This includes but is not limited to utilization of the E-Verify System to verify the work authorization status of all newly hired employees, and requiring all subcontractors to provide an affidavit attesting that the subcontractor does not employ, contract with, or subcontract with, an unauthorized alien. The contractor shall maintain a copy of such affidavit for the duration of the contract. Failure to comply will lead to termination of this Contract, or if a subcontractor knowingly violates the statute, the subcontract must be terminated immediately. Any challenge to termination under this provision must be filed in the Circuit Court no later than 20 calendar days after the date of termination. If this contract is terminated for a violation of the statute by the Contractor, the Contractor may not be awarded a public contract for a period of 1 year after the date of termination. 

   

• Federal Requirements (If Applicable) —

  Please review and confirm the acceptance of the Federal Requirements. #Federal Requirements

• Anti-Human Trafficking Affidavit (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• General Terms and Conditions —

  Please review and confirm the acceptance of the General Terms and Conditions. 

• Is this for an RFP or an RFQ (required)
• PRE-RESPONSE CONFERENCE (required)
• Are federal requirements applicable for this project? (required)
• What services is the consultant providing? (required)
• SUBSTITUTIONS (required) —

  Is this section applicable under "Instructions to Bidders" for this project?

• BID BOND? (required)
• PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE BOND? (required)