Tara Walls is a Senior Buyer. Tara is associated with 72 contracts. Activity spans Engineering Services, Commercial and Institutional Building Construction, and Site Preparation Contractors.
Person Profile
Contracting officer information and contact details
The City of Lakeland is soliciting bids for the construction of the Glendale Street Trail, extending from New Jersey Road to Lakeland Highlands Road. This project involves the creation of a 10-foot wide shared-use path and includes clearing and grubbing, earthwork, grading, roadway reconstruction, sidewalk and driveway construction, and drainage improvements. The work must be performed by a State of Florida registered contractor pre-qualified by the Florida Department of Transportation in drainage, flexible paving, pavement marking, roadway signing, and sidewalk work classes. The project is funded through a Local Agency Agreement utilizing federal and state funds, requiring compliance with the Build America, Buy America Act, Davis-Bacon Act wage provisions, and E-Verify.
The contract specifies a completion timeline of 240 calendar days, with final completion required within 270 calendar days. Bidders must submit unit price proposals via the OpenGov portal by October 15, 2026, and provide a 5% bid bond. Award considerations include technical evaluation, past experience, and qualifications. Successful contractors must furnish performance and payment bonds equal to the contract price and adhere to strict safety and legal requirements, including the Trench Safety Act, a Human Trafficking Affidavit, and comprehensive indemnification agreements. Liquidated damages for delays are set at 1,685.00 dollars per calendar day.
Solicitation 2026-RFP-122 seeks a qualified tree trimming contractor to supplement the City of Lakeland's Urban Forestry Program. The contractor will provide all supervision, labor, equipment, and materials to prune and remove trees and palms within city rights-of-way, including streets, alleyways, and parks. Work may be performed in close proximity to energized power lines and requires the use of hydraulic bucket trucks. Each crew must consist of one crew leader and two groundsmen, with all personnel qualified in proper traffic control procedures. The contract is firm through September 30, 2027, with an option for four one-year renewals upon mutual consent.
Contractors must meet strict qualification and safety standards, including providing a list of ten similar projects completed within the last three years. Personnel requirements include CPR/First Aid certification, aerial rescue training, and specific licensing, such as a CDL Class B for crew leaders and a Class A for ground personnel. The contractor is responsible for all traffic control per FDOT requirements and must adhere to ANSI and OSHA safety standards for personal protective equipment. Evaluation for award is based on a points system considering location, experience, and technical qualifications rather than cost alone.
Compliance requirements include a notarized indemnification agreement, a human trafficking affidavit, and certification of a drug-free workplace. Contractors must also utilize the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify system and certify they are not on any scrutinized company lists. Insurance mandates include Commercial General Liability, Business Automobile Liability, and Excess Liability of at least 2 million dollars, with all policies issued by insurers rated A+ or higher by AM Best. Invoices are to be rendered weekly, and all work is subject to City inspection and approval.
The City of Lakeland, through its Public Works Engineering department, is soliciting qualification packages for a continuing engineering service agreement for Professional Right of Way Acquisition Services under the Florida Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act. The scope of work includes project administration, title and appraisal services, appraisal review, acquisition and closing services, relocation assistance, and property disposal. Work will be assigned on an as-needed basis via individual Task Authorizations, which will define the specific scope, schedule, and not-to-exceed budget for each assignment. The agreement is firm through September 30, 2029, with an option for two one-year renewals.
Qualified respondents must provide a team of at least nine personnel, including a title specialist, two real estate appraisers, two review appraisers, three negotiation agents, and a relocation assistance specialist. Appraisers must hold active Florida Certified General Real Estate Appraiser licenses. The selection process is based on a 100-point scale evaluating experience and qualifications, and because it follows the CCNA, rates must not be included in the initial qualifications package. Required certifications include a Drug-Free Workplace Program Certification, a Human Trafficking Affidavit, and a Suspension and Debarment Certification.
Contractors are required to maintain professional liability and excess liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 each, with professional liability coverage extending three years beyond project completion. All appraisal reports must conform to USPAP and FDOT standards, and federal projects must comply with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act. Payment is made by check on a monthly basis, with options for not-to-exceed or lump sum cost structures as defined in the Task Authorizations. All responses must be submitted electronically via the OpenGov portal by October 13, 2026.
The City of Lakeland is soliciting qualifications from experienced engineering firms for Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) services for the Glendale Street Trail project, which involves the construction of a 10-foot wide shared-use path from New Jersey Road to Lakeland Highlands Road. This procurement, solicitation number 2026-RFQ-113, is conducted under the Florida Consultants' Competitive Negotiations Act (CCNA), which strictly prohibits the inclusion of rates in the proposal. Eligible firms must be prequalified by the Florida Department of Transportation in Work Group Type 10 (CEI), specifically Work Type 10.1 (Roadway CEI) and Work Type 10.3 (Construction Materials Inspection). Qualification packages must be submitted electronically via the OpenGov portal by October 5, 2026.
The selected consultant will be responsible for field documentation, financial verification of contractor pay estimates, materials oversight, and ensuring compliance with Temporary Traffic Control and environmental requirements. Key contractual obligations include adhering to the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) sourcing preferences, maintaining a drug-free workplace, and providing notarized indemnification agreements. The contract also requires strict management of key personnel, requiring City approval for any replacements. Performance will be monitored by the City's Project Manager, and all inspection and test reports will be subject to Florida public records laws.
The City of Lakeland, through its Public Works Traffic Operations department, is soliciting proposals under RFP 2026-RFP-108 for a cloud-based Traffic Safety Software solution. The primary objective is to integrate and analyze traffic volumes, speed data, and crash records to identify patterns and predict crash hotspots, thereby enhancing public safety and reducing accidents. The required system must feature geospatial analysis tools, such as heat maps and before-and-after graphical comparisons, and must adhere to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, utilizing AES 256-bit encryption for data at rest and TLS 1.2 or higher for data in transit. Additionally, the contractor must implement bias detection and correction mechanisms to ensure AI fairness and non-discrimination in its predictive models.
The City aims for full implementation within six months, with deliverables including the software, end-user training, and final City sign-off. Proposals must be submitted electronically via the OpenGov portal by October 7, 2026, and must include an executive summary, technical proposal, project plan, cost proposal, and three client references. Award decisions will be based on the most responsive vendor, considering factors such as technical evaluation, experience, and administrative costs. Selected vendors must comply with rigorous legal and ethical requirements, including providing a notarized Human Trafficking Affidavit, certifying a drug-free workplace, and signing comprehensive indemnification agreements to hold the City and the Florida Department of Transportation harmless from liabilities arising from negligence or misconduct.
The City of Lakeland Public Works Facilities Maintenance Division is soliciting proposals under RFP 2026-RFP-101 for the resurfacing of eight existing pickleball courts at the Kelly Recreation Complex located at 404 Imperial Boulevard, Lakeland, Florida. The scope of work encompasses surface preparation, crack repairs, the application of resurfacing coats, and line striping. All work must be performed using pre-approved products from Plexipave by California Products Corporation and RiteWay Crack Repair, and vendors must provide certification for the application of these specific product lines. The project is expected to begin on October 5, 2026, with the selected contractor providing a detailed schedule including the total calendar days required for completion.
Proposals are due by September 21, 2026, via the OpenGov e-Procurement Portal. Evaluation is based on four equally weighted criteria: business history and certifications, relevant experience with similar projects in operational facilities over the last three years, the competitiveness and transparency of the fee proposal, and the realism of the proposed schedule. Required submission documents include a fee proposal sheet, a proposed schedule, a signed W-9, and a certificate of insurance. Awarded contractors must comply with strict insurance requirements, including an AM Best rating of at least A, and must execute several legal agreements, including an indemnification agreement and a human trafficking affidavit. Additionally, vendors must certify they are drug-free and not subject to suspension or debarment via the System for Award Management.
The City of Lakeland's Community and Economic Development Department is soliciting statements of qualification under the Florida Consultants' Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA) for professional planning, design, and economic analysis services. This solicitation, RFQ 2026-094, seeks to prequalify individuals or firms for three-year open contracts with two optional one-year renewals. The scope of work is broad and provided on an as-needed basis, encompassing community and comprehensive planning, redevelopment area programming, housing and market analysis, impact fee evaluations, land development codes, transportation planning, urban design, historic preservation, and architectural and landscape architecture. Key deliverables include economic development reports, implementation frameworks, and visual materials such as graphics and maps.
The selection process is based on a points-based scoring method evaluated by a committee of City staff, with final approval granted by the Mayor and City Commission. In accordance with the CCNA, respondents must not include rates in their proposals. Required submissions include a Statement of Qualifications, an IRS W-9, and various certifications, including a Human Trafficking Affidavit, Drug-Free Workplace certification, and E-Verify compliance. Contractors must also provide a notarized Hold Harmless Indemnification Agreement and meet specific insurance minimums, including one million dollars for business automobile liability and professional liability. The deadline for electronic submission via the OpenGov portal is September 3, 2026.
The City of Lakeland, through its Community & Economic Development Planning department, is soliciting proposals under solicitation 2026-RFP-096 for the Historic Districts Resurvey Phase 3. Funded by a Small Matching Grant from the State of Florida Division of Historical Resources, the project involves resurveying structures fifty years or older within the Beacon Hill, Biltmore-Cumberland, and Lake Hunter Terrace Historic Districts. The primary objective is to reassess the contributing and non-contributing status of buildings based on their current age, integrity, and condition, accounting for demolitions, insensitive alterations, and the aging of previously non-contributing structures. This effort supports the City's comprehensive planning and the protection of its architectural identity, which includes styles ranging from Craftsman Bungalow and Mediterranean Revival to Mid-Century Modern.
Proposals are due by September 10, 2026, and will be evaluated based on a weighted criteria including background and qualifications, personnel, project management, technical merit, cost effectiveness, references, and location proximity. The selected vendor must comply with stringent administrative and legal requirements, including the submission of a Human Trafficking Affidavit and various indemnification agreements that align with Florida Statutes 725.06 and 725.08. Additionally, contractors are subject to safety audits and must provide waivers of subrogation. The project falls under NAICS code 541360, and the City emphasizes a strict prohibition on ex parte communications during the evaluation process.
Solicitation 2026-RFP-090 is a request for proposals from the City of Lakeland, Florida, for a professional contractor to provide maintenance and repair services for an artificial wetlands effluent disposal system. Located east of the City of Mulberry in Polk County, the site covers approximately 1,600 acres and is known as the Bonnie Lake Mine. The scope of work includes grading of roadways, swales, and ditches; repairing eroded berms and cells; and general earthwork such as loading, hauling, and placing materials for contouring. This is a time and materials contract utilized on an as-required basis, with an estimated annual value of 10,000 dollars, though this figure is not a guaranteed minimum or maximum. The initial term is set for October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, with an option for four one-year renewals upon mutual consent.
Award decisions are based on the most responsive bidder, with evaluation weighted heavily on available equipment and price, each accounting for 35 percent of the score. Other factors include the completeness of the RFP package, knowledge of local site conditions, and the ability to respond quickly to requests. Contractors must adhere to strict OSHA safety standards, maintain insurance with AM Best ratings of at least A, and provide a signed and notarized indemnification agreement. Required certifications include drug-free workplace, E-Verify, and public entity crimes certifications. All work must be authorized via a specific work order number, and payment is generally made in a single sum upon satisfactory delivery and acceptance, although monthly partial payments may be negotiated for larger projects.
The City of Lakeland’s Public Works – Facilities Maintenance Division is soliciting proposals for the renovation of the kitchen at Fire Station 4, requiring a State Certified Licensed General Contractor or Building Contractor registered in Florida to execute all work per the project specifications and construction documents. The solicitation, numbered 2026-RFP-087, was posted on August 5, 2026, with proposals due by September 2, 2026, at 6:00 PM Eastern Time, and must be submitted exclusively through the OpenGov e-Procurement Portal. The NAICS code for this procurement is 236220, and performance will occur at Fire Station 4 in Lakeland, Florida. Offerors must submit a comprehensive proposal including their state contractor license, evidence of three relevant past projects with contact details, a detailed pricing proposal using AIA Forms G702 and G703, a project schedule, and a logistics plan covering site access, work hours, and safety protocols. Additional mandatory submittals include a certificate of insurance, hold harmless indemnification agreement, licensing documents, drug-free workplace certification, labor law compliance certification, non-discrimination affidavit, weekly certified payroll records, a small business enterprise participation plan, prevailing wage compliance documentation, OSHA Form 300A if applicable, project labor agreement compliance if applicable, environmental documentation, a quality assurance plan, and a safety plan. The award will be determined using a trade-off process, with equal weighting (25% each) given to company experience, personnel experience, fee proposal, and proposed schedule. Experience on public-sector projects involving occupied facilities, demonstrated cost control, schedule adherence, and realistic phasing are critical evaluation criteria. The contract requires full compliance with OSHA, ANSI, ASTM, Florida Building Code, NESHAP, and FDEP regulations, especially regarding asbestos handling, which mandates double-bagged, labeled 6-mil waste bags and proper waste shipment records. A 5% certified bid bond and a performance bond equal to 100% of the contract price must be provided, along with primary and non-contributory insurance naming the City as additional insured. The vendor must certify compliance with Florida’s human trafficking statutes, maintain a drug-free workplace, and affirm no conflict of interest. All deliverables become the exclusive property of the City, and ex parte communications with evaluators are strictly prohibited. The proposed start date is September 1, 2026, with completion
FloridaFL,
USA
NAICS
236220
Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
