Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Stephen Farmer (Acting Director)
Department: Finance and Administrative Services Division: Purchasing
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO APPROVE Agreement between Broward County and Junior Achievement of South Florida, Inc. for Pre-Apprenticeship Program, Request for Letters of Interest (RLI) No. GEN2127456R1, for the Office of Economic and Small Business Development, in a maximum not-to-exceed amount of $900,000, for the initial three-year term, and authorize the Director of Purchasing to renew the Agreement for up to two one-year terms, for a five-year potential total maximum not-to-exceed amount of $1,500,000; and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute same.
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Why Action is Necessary
In accordance with Broward County Procurement Code Section 21.47, Award and Execution Authority, the Board shall make all awards, and authorize the execution of the associated contracts, with a value of more than $500,000, inclusive of the value of any renewals or extensions.
What Action Accomplishes
Provides for the expansion of a pre-apprenticeship program for Broward County’s youth and young adults (ages of 16 to 24 years old).
Goal Related Icon(s)
☐County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE PURCHASING DIVISION AND THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
The Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) did not assign County Business Enterprise (CBE) goals for this project (Exhibit 2).
The purpose of this Agreement is to expand the daily operations of the Junior Achievement Pre-Apprenticeship Program (Program). The expansion includes increasing the number of participants in, and graduates from, the Program through targeted promotional and outreach activities. This Program is to expose youths and young adults (16 to 24 years old), currently residing in Broward County, to apprenticeship opportunities. Upon successful completion of the Program, participants will be exposed to apprenticeship programs that will result in certifications (training, technical, vocational, etc.) and placement opportunities to assist with obtaining career opportunities for higher wage paying jobs in the trades and opportunities for future business ownership (Exhibit 1).
The Request for Letters of Interest (RLI) was advertised on May 3, 2024, and, at the time of the submittal deadline on May 17, 2024, six firms submitted proposals: A New Start: Financial & Social Services, Inc.; BlendEd Learning Consultants, LLC; “D” Electrician Technical Services, Inc.; Grelite Evolution, Inc. (Grelite); Junior Achievement of South Florida, Inc. (JASF); Yacht Habit Foundation, Inc.
On August 20, 2024, an Initial Evaluation Committee (EC) meeting was held. The EC determined that five out of the six firms were both responsive and responsible to the RLI requirements and could proceed to the final EC meeting to be ranked by the EC. One firm, Grelite, was determined by the EC to be both non-responsive and non-responsible to the RLI requirements and therefore did not proceed to the Final EC meeting.
On September 9, 2024, a Final EC meeting was held. After presentations, evaluation, and ranking, the EC named JASF as the first-ranked firm.
The EC’s proposed recommendation of ranking was posted on the Purchasing Division website from September 17 - 20, 2024, which provided an opportunity for any proposer or interested party to file an objection. No objection was received.
The EC’s final recommendation of ranking was posted on the Purchasing Division’s website from September 23 - 27, 2024, which provided an opportunity for any aggrieved proposer to file a protest. No protest was received.
On September 27, 2024, in accordance with Procurement Code Section 21.42, Procedures for RFPs, RLIs, and RFQs, the ranking of the qualified firms became final, and staff proceeded with negotiations.
Two negotiation meetings were held to negotiate the Agreement with JASF: February 27, 2025, and March 10, 2025. These meetings were attended by representatives from JASF, OESBD, the County Attorney’s Office, and the Purchasing Division.
Subsequently, on May 20, 2025, the Office of the County Auditor reviewed the Agreement and recommended additional clarification regarding the appropriate use of funds for the expansion of the Program services.
As a result, two additional negotiation meetings were held - July 8, 2025, and September 23, 2025 - with JASF to further discuss and clarify JASF’s proposed use of funding.
The Agreement has been approved as to form and legal sufficiency by the County Attorney’s Office; there are no agreement disclosures.
Additional supporting documentation provided to the Evaluation Committee regarding this procurement can be found on the Purchasing Division website at <https://www.broward.org/Purchasing/Pages/Repository.aspx>.
The Agreement period begins upon execution and terminates three years from that date in a maximum not-to-exceed amount of $900,000. Additionally, the Agreement provides for up to an additional two one-year extensions, for a five-year total maximum not-to-exceed amount of $1,500,000.
Source of Additional Information
Robert E. Gleason, Director, Purchasing Division, (954) 357-6070
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The Agreement is for a not-to-exceed amount of $1,500,000 over a potential five-year period from the OESBD Professional Services-Project Management Services Fund. The funds estimated for the current fiscal year are included in the current fiscal year budget.
Requisition No. OES0000282