Consultant Services for a 5-Year Evaluation of the Library Services and Technology Act Grant Program

The Florida Department of State, through its Division of Library and Information Services, is soliciting consultant services to conduct a comprehensive five-year evaluation of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant Program. The contract requires the selection of a vendor to deliver four key milestones: research and data analysis of LSTA projects due by August 31, 2026; a statewide needs assessment of Florida’s libraries through surveys, focus groups, and interviews due by October 31, 2026; an initial draft of the five-year evaluation due by November 30, 2026; and the final comprehensive evaluation due by January 31, 2027. The work must be performed entirely within Florida and requires a single point of contact, rigorous project management, and documentation of all task completions. The engagement is structured as a fixed-price contract with no cost overruns permitted; pricing for each deliverable is capped at 30% of the total award, though the overall contract value is not specified. Proposals must be submitted in three distinct sections—administrative, technical, and price—following precise formatting and submission rules, including hard copies, sealed pricing envelopes, and electronic PDFs on CD or USB drive. The evaluation process is points-based, awarding a maximum of 104 points across six weighted factors: methodology (18 points), consulting experience with state agencies (18 points), project plan and schedule (18 points), prior project samples (22 points), price (10 points), and team qualifications (18 points). Responsiveness to the Statement of Work (Attachment B) is a mandatory pass/fail gate; failure to meet these technical requirements disqualifies a proposal. Compliance with numerous Florida statutes and administrative codes is required, including adherence to E-Verify for all new hires, prohibition of coercion in labor practices, and full transparency under Florida’s Public Records Law. Contractors must register with the Florida Department of State, certify they are not debarred, maintain a drug-free workplace, submit conflict of interest disclosures, and provide proof of business legitimacy and tax registration. All deliverables are subject to a 1% daily deduction for late submission, and the state’s payment obligation is contingent upon legislative appropriations. The contract includes provisions for termination for cause, convenience, public records noncompliance, or E-Verify violations, and all materials, including packaging, become state property. Proposals must be submitted via sealed physical or courier delivery by August