Operation and Management of Contractor-Operated Correctional Facilities – Blackwater CF

The Florida Department of Corrections is issuing Invitation to Negotiate FDC ITN-27-022 to secure a vendor for the operation and management of the Blackwater River Correctional Facility in Santa Rosa County, Florida. This facility houses adult males in minimum, medium, and close custody-security settings with a total capacity of 2,000 beds. The selected contractor will be responsible for comprehensive facility management, including the delivery of academic, behavioral, and vocational programmatic services, such as GED classes and mandatory literacy programs. The contract features an initial term of three years with the possibility of successive two-year renewals, with a targeted service commencement date of July 1, 2027. Award selection is based on the best value to the state, with the overall score weighted as 70 percent for the technical reply and 30 percent for the price reply. The technical evaluation focuses heavily on the proposed technical solution, including security, health services, and operations plans, as well as the vendor's experience and ability. To ensure financial security, the winning vendor must provide a performance bond or irrevocable letter of credit of 8 million dollars or the average annual contract price within ten business days of execution. All responses must be submitted electronically via the MyFloridaMarketPlace portal by the December 8, 2026, deadline, adhering to strict formatting and page limit requirements across three specific tabs.