Resolution 2020-31437 RESOLUTION NO. 2020-31437
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
CITY MANAGER, PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
2020-118-WG PUBLIC INFORMATION OUTREACH SERVICES FOR RIGHT
OF WAY AND FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, AUTHORIZING THE
ADMINISTRATION TO ESTABLISH A POOL OF PREQUALIFIED
CONSULTANTS FOR SPECIFIC TASKS RELATING TO FUTURE PUBLIC
INFORMATION OUTREACH SERVICES; AUTHORIZING THE
ADMINISTRATION TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH INFINITE
SOURCE COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, LLC, HML PUBLIC OUTREACH, LLC,
MEDIA RELATIONS GROUP, LLC AND THE VALERIN GROUP, INC., AS THE
TOP RANKED PROPOSERS; FURTHER, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND
CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS WITH EACH OF THE
FOREGOING PROPOSERS UPON CONCLUSION OF SUCCESSFUL
NEGOTIATIONS BY THE ADMINISTRATION; AND FURTHER, AUTHORIZING
THE MONTH TO MONTH EXTENSION OF THE CURRENT AGREEMENTS
WITH HML PUBLIC OUTREACH, LLC, INFINITE SOURCE
COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, LLC, MEDIA RELATIONS GROUP, LLC AND
QUEST CORPORATION OF AMERICA, INC., UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE
NEW AGREEMENTS PURSUANT TO THE RFQ CAN BE EXECUTED.
WHEREAS, on October 30, 2015, the City of Miami Beach entered into agreements with
HML Public Outreach, LLC, Infinite Source Communications Group, LLC, Media Relations
Group, LLC and Quest Corporation of America, Inc., pursuant to RFQ 2015-144-YG for Public
Information Outreach Services on Right of Way and Facilities Construction Projects; and
WHEREAS, the initial term of the agreements is for a three (3) year term with two (2)
additional one-year renewal options, and are currently scheduled to expire beginning October
29, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the City desired to establish term contracts with a pool of qualified
successful proposers, with the required expertise and personnel, in order to facilitate the
assignment of these services for all neighborhood and facility projects; and
WHEREAS, the successful proposers will work closely with city staff in developing and
executing the communication efforts for active and future construction of Capital Improvement
Projects (CIP), Public Work Projects, Environmental & Sustainability projects, Transportation
initiatives, Parks, and other citywide construction efforts; and
WHEREAS, the proposers will also assist with communication for public works
operations, special projects, citywide initiatives and public safety/ marketing campaigns; and
WHEREAS, on July 31, 2020, the Administration issued Request for Qualifications
(RFQ) 2020-118-WG for Public Information Outreach Services for Right of Way And Facilities
Construction Projects; and
WHEREAS, RFQ responses were due and received on August 28, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the City received proposals from the following eight firms: EV Services, Inc.,
HML Public Outreach LLC, Infinite Source Communications Group, LLC, Media Relations
Group, LLC, Quest Corporation of America, Inc., The MS Factor, LLC, The Valerin Group, Inc,
and Wragg & Casas Public Relations, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, all of the proposals submitted were found to be responsive to the
requirements of the RFQ; and
WHEREAS, on September 24, 2020, the City Manager appointed Evaluation Committee
comprised of Maria Cerna, Division Director, Capital Improvement Projects, City of Miami
Beach, Josiel Ferrer, Assistant Director, Transportation Department, City of Miami Beach, Kevin
Pulido, Neighborhood Affairs Manager, Communications Department, City of Miami Beach and
Flavia Tonioli, Sustainability Manager, Environment and Sustainability Department, City of
Miami Beach, convened to consider proposals received; and
WHEREAS, the Committee was provided an overview of the project, information relative
to the City's Cone of Silence Ordinance and the Government Sunshine Law; and
WHEREAS, the Committee was also provided with general information on the scope of
services, and a copy of each proposal and was further instructed to score and rank each
proposal pursuant to the evaluation criteria established in the RFQ; and
WHEREAS, the evaluation process resulted in the proposers being ranked by the
Evaluation Committee in the following order:
1St- Infinite Source Communications Group, LLC
2nd - HML Public Outreach LLC
3rd - Media Relations Group, LLC
4th - The Valerin Group, Inc
5th - Quest Corporation of America, Inc.
6th- EV Services, Inc.
7th- Wragg & Casas Public Relations, Inc.
8th - The MS Factor, LLC
WHEREAS, after reviewing all of the submissions and the Evaluation Committee
process, I concur with the Evaluation Committee and find Infinite Source Communications
Group, LLC, HML Public Outreach LLC, Media Relations Group, LLC and The Valerin Group,
Inc. to be the best qualified firms to be included in the prequalified pool of consultants for future
engagements relating to public information outreach services as these firms have a wealth of
knowledge providing public outreach services in the City of Miami Beach, neighboring
municipalities, and other city governments; and
WHEREAS, the Administration recommends the City enter into negotiations with Infinite
Source Communications Group, LLC, HML Public Outreach LLC, Media Relations Group, LLC
and The Valerin Group, Inc. to establish a pool of pre-qualified consultants for specific tasks
relating to public information outreach services; and
WHEREAS, the Administration further recommends that the City enter into month to
month extensions of the current agreements with HML Public Outreach, LLC, Infinite Source
Communications Group, LLC, Media Relations Group, LLC and Quest Corporation of America,
Inc., until such time as new agreements can be executed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission accepts the
recommendation of the City Manager, pursuant to Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 2020-118-
WG Public Information Outreach Services for Right of Way and Facilities Construction Project,
to approve the resolution and authorize the Administration to establish a pool of pre-qualified
consultants for specific tasks relating to public information outreach services; authorizing the
Administration to enter into negotiations with Infinite Source Communications Group, LLC, HML
Public Outreach LLC, Media Relations Group, LLC and The Valerin Group, Inc., as the top
ranked proposers; further authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute agreements with
each of the foregoing proposers upon conclusion of successful negotiations by the
Administration; and further, authorizing the month to month extension of the current agreements
with HML Public Outreach, LLC, Infinite Source Communications Group, LLC, Media Relations
Group, LLC and Quest Corporation of America, Inc., until such time as new agreements
pursuant to the RFQ can be executed.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this iii day of (kiober 2020.
ATTEST:
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RAF EL E. GRAS D�,CITY CLERK DAN GELBER, MAYOR
APPROVED AS TO
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Resolutions-C7 E
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: October 14, 2020
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF
THE CITY MANAGER, PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
(RFQ)2020-118-WG PUBLIC INFORMATION OUTREACH SERVICES FOR
RIGHT OF WAY AND FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS,
AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION TO ESTABLISH A POOL OF
PREQUALIFIED CONSULTANTS FOR SPECIFIC TASKS RELATING TO
FUTURE PUBLIC INFORMATION OUTREACH SERVICES;AUTHORIZING
THE ADMINISTRATION TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH INFINITE
SOURCE COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, LLC, HML PUBLIC OUTREACH,
LLC, MEDIA RELATIONS GROUP, LLC AND THE VALERIN GROUP, INC.,
AS THE TOP RANKED PROPOSERS; FURTHER, AUTHORIZING THE
MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS WITH EACH OF
THE FOREGOING PROPOSERS UPON CONCLUSION OF SUCCESSFUL
NEGOTIATIONS BY THE ADMINISTRATION; AND FURTHER,
AUTHORIZING THE MONTH TO MONTH EXTENSION OF THE CURRENT
AGREEMENTS WITH HML PUBLIC OUTREACH, LLC, INFINITE SOURCE
COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, LLC, MEDIA RELATIONS GROUP, LLC AND
QUEST CORPORATION OF AMERICA, INC., UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE
NEW AGREEMENTS PURSUANT TO THE RFQ CAN BE EXECUTED.
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami
Beach, Florida approve the resolution accepting the City Manager's recommendation pertaining
to bids received, pursuant to RFQ 2020-118-WG,for Public Information Outreach Services for
Right of Way and Facilities Construction Projects.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
On October 30, 2015, the City of Miami Beach entered into agreements with HML Public
Outreach, LLC,, Infinite Source Communications Group, LLC, Media Relations Group, LLC
and Quest Corporation of America, Inc., pursuant to RFQ 2015-144-YG for Public Information
Outreach Services on Right of Way and Facilities Construction Projects. The initial term of the
agreement was for a three (3) year term with two (2) additional one-year renewal options. The
Page 252 of 1576
present agreements are scheduled to expire beginning October 29, 2020.
The City desires to establish term contracts with a pool of qualified successful proposers, with
the required expertise and personnel, in order to facilitate the assignment of these services for
all neighborhood and facility projects. The successful proposers will work closely with city staff
in developing and executing the communication efforts for active and future construction of
capital improvement projects, public work projects, environmental & sustainability projects,
transportation initiatives, parks, and other citywide construction efforts. the proposers will also
assist with communication for public work operations, special projects, citywide initiatives and
public safety/marketing campaigns.
ANALYSIS
On July 31, 2020, the Administration issued Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 2020-118-WG
for Public Information Outreach Services for Right Of Way And Facilities Construction
Projects. RFQ responses were due and received on August 28, 2020. The City received
proposals from the following eight firms: EV Services, Inc., HML Public Outreach LLC, Infinite
Source Communications Group, LLC, Media Relations Group, LLC, Quest Corporation of
America, Inc., The MS Factor, LLC, The Valerin Group, Inc, and Wragg & Casas Public
Relations, Inc.
All of the proposals submitted were found to be responsive to the requirements of the RFQ.
On September 24, 2020, the City Manager appointed Evaluation Committee convened to
consider proposals received. The Committee was comprised of Maria Cema, Division
Director, Capital Improvement Projects, City of Miami Beach, Josiel Ferrer, Assistant Director,
Transportation Department, City of Miami Beach, Kevin Pulido, Neighborhood Affairs Manager,
Communications Department, City of Miami Beach and Flavia Tonioli, Sustainability Manager,
Environment and Sustainability Department, City of Miami Beach.
The Committee was provided an overview of the project, information relative to the City's Cone
of Silence Ordinance and the Government Sunshine Law. The Committee was also provided
with general information on the scope of services and a copy of each proposal. The Committee
was instructed to score and rank each proposal pursuant to the evaluation criteria established in
the RFQ.
The evaluation process resulted in the proposers being ranked by the Evaluation Committee in
the following order(See Attachment A):
1St- Infinite Source Communications Group, LLC
2"d -HML Public Outreach LLC
3rd -Media Relations Group, LLC
4th-The Valerin Group, Inc
5th-Quest Corporation of America, Inc.
6th- EV Services, Inc.
7th-Wragg &Casas Public Relations, Inc.
8th-The MS Factor, LLC
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The Administration has determined it is best to continue with the top four firms to serve the
City's needs.The success of the prior contract solidifies the need to have four firms available to
assist with community outreach. Each of the firms have skills which can complement city staff
during the outreach process. Three of the fours firms have a proven track record of work within
Miami Beach and the fourth firm will bring a new perspective to outreach efforts.
A summary of the four top-ranked firms follows:
Infinite Source Communications Group. LLC (ISC)
I SC consists of a well-versed team of lead and support staff who actively perform work in Miami
Beach. Every ISC staff member is bilingual in English and Spanish, Creole or Portuguese.
Their full-service creative team supports clients-with cutting-edge audio-visual and graphic
production. ISC not only has seasoned experts, they understand the communication policies
set forth within the City, as well as possess key relationships with the local community and other
transportation agencies.
ISC's specialty is executing PIO services for infrastructure improvement projects, throughout
South Florida. They also provide services to a number of government entities including the
Florida Department of Transportation (F DOT), Miami-Dade County (MDC), MDC
Transportation Planning Organization(TPO), MDC Water and Sewer Department(WASD), and
a variety of municipalities and agencies such as Town of Surfside, Bal Harbour Village, the City
of Fort Lauderdale,the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
HML Public Outreach LLC
With a combined almost 100-year experience, HML Public Outreach has easily adapted to the
ever-changing landscape of communications. As a result of their involvement in major City of
Miami Beach design and construction initiatives, they have extensive procedural knowledge
working with city staff and have built strong ties with community leaders that has facilitated the
dissemination of project information. The HML team has established a deep understanding of
community needs during a crisis and day-to-day coordination.
As well as their present City of Miami Beach contract, HML Public Outreach has been awarded
and participates in contracts for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), which
encompass Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Studies, roadway design projects
and hundreds of construction projects, including traditional design-bid-build and design-builds.
Media Relations Group. LLC (MRG)
MRG has become a go-to firm to provide communication services on districtwide and
construction contracts. MRG has 21 years of experience serving municipalities and the Florida
Department of Transportation (F DOT).
The highly qualified MRG personnel have a depth of knowledge and understanding about the
intricacies of working with the City of Miami Beach and its residents. In addition to its work with
Miami Beach, They have a proven track record representing FDOT, City of Miami, Town of
Cutler Bay, City of Doral, Village of Key Biscayne, Town of Medley, City of Hialeah, City of
Homestead, Village of Palmetto Bay, Florida's Turnpike Enterprise (FTE), Miami-Dade
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Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) and Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization
(MPO).
The Valerin Group. Inc. (Valerin)
Valerin is an independent, full-service strategic communications firm offering a complete suite
of communications, marketing, and creative services. They have the in-house expertise to
develop innovative and practical solutions to today's complex communications challenges.
Combined, their staff have over 400 years of relevant experience and have worked on more
than 600 public utility and transportation projects, programs and initiatives as well as campaigns
for a variety of public sector clients including municipalities, counties, and state agencies such
as the Florida Department of Transportation(FDOT).
Valerin is made up of a unique mix of professionals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines
that include communications, advertising, social marketing, journalism, public relations, media
and government relations, engineering, graphic design, website and mobile application
development, and video production - all of which contribute to their ability to deliver
comprehensive strategic communications, public information and creative services.
They are accustomed to working as an integrated team member and have extensive experience
developing communications and public involvement scopes under task work order contracts and
managing their implementation. In addition, Valerin currently serves as a sub-consultant
providing Communications and Public Outreach support for the City of Miami Beach.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The cost associated with Public Information Outreach Services on Right of Way and Facilities
Construction Projects for the City of Miami Beach is subject to the funds availability approved
through the City's budgeting process.
CONCLUSION
After reviewing all of the submissions and the Evaluation Committee process, I concur with the
Evaluation Committee and find Infinite Source Communications Group, LLC, HML Public Outreach
LLC, Media Relations Group, LLC and The Valerin Group, Inc. to be the best qualified firms to be
included in the prequalified pool of consultants for future engagements relating to public information
outreach services. These firms demonstrated extensive knowledge in the City of Miami Beach,
neighboring municipalities, and other city governments. The four (4) firms have vast experience in
providing public outreach services. It is important to note that the RFQ was not issued with any
particular project in mind; rather, the purpose of the RFQ is to proactively prequalify firms now so
that a public information firm can be engaged quickly when the need for services is identified.
For the reasons stated herein, I recommend that the Mayor and City Commission approve the
resolution authorizing the Administration to establish a pool of pre-qualified consultants for
specific tasks relating to public information outreach services; authorizing the Administration to
enter into negotiations with Infinite Source Communications Group, LLC, HML Public Outreach
LLC, Media Relations Group, LLC and The Valerin Group, Inc., as the top ranked proposers;
further authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute agreements with each of the foregoing
proposers upon conclusion of successful negotiations by the Administration; and further,
authorizing the month to month extension of the current agreements with HML Public Outreach,
LLC, Infinite Source Communications Group, LLC, Media Relations Group, LLC and Quest
Corporation of America, Inc., until such time as new agreements can be executed.
Page 255 of 1576
Applicable Area
Not Applicable
Is this a"Residents Right Does this item utilize G.O.
to Know" item. pursuant to Bond Funds?
City Code Section 2-14?
No No
Legislative Tracking
Marketing and Communications/Procurement
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
o Attachment A
D Resolution
Page 256 of 1576
RFQ 2020.118WG 4,.
PUBLIC INFORMATION ••
OUTREACH SERVICES FOR w LOMf
Marla Coma Joa1N Feraer Kenn Pu1Wo I Flavla Tonloll
RIGHT OF WAY AND c c b
FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION ii a
Totals
PROJECTS ••
Qualitative Quantitative Subtotal Qualitative Quantitative ' Subtotal Qualitative Quantitative Subtotal Qualitative Quantitative Subtotal
EV Services,Inc. 91 _ 0 91 8 75 0--_ 75 763 0 63 6 94 _.._. 0 94 6+ 25 6
HML Public Outreach LLC_-, 95 0 95 2 92-_____. 0 -.. . 92 92 2 97 0 _-_ 97 2,_ 98_._ 0 98 3 :. 9 2
Infinite Source
Communications Group,LLC.— 96 0 96 1 94 0 94 1 98 0 9B 1 99 0 -.- 99 1 4 1
Media Relations Group,LLC 94 0 94 4 92 0 92 2 92 0 92 3 99 0 99 1 10 3
Quest Corporation of America,
Inc 93 0 93 5 80 0 80 6 92 0 92 3 98 0 98 3 17 5
The MS Factor,LLC 80 0 80 8 70 0 70 8 _ 61 0 61 7 76 0 76 7 . 30 8
The Valerin Group,Inc 950 _ 95 2 91 .-� 0 91. 4 80 0 --- — 80 _5 98 0 -_- -_98 3,y;,__ 14 4
Wragg S Cases Public
Relations,Inc. 86 r 0 86 7 — 81 _ 0 81 5 _40 0 40 8 70 0 70 8 -•: 28 7
Taal G.rnt tM
Prope.a Velem'.Paa. (Wend.)
EV Services,Inc- a _ s ._
HML Public Outreach LLC a o
Infinite Source 0 a
Communications Group,LLC
a o
Media Relations Group,LLC
Quest Corporation of America, a o
Inc
The MS Factor,LLC o o
The Valerin Group,Inc-- __ o a
Wragg 8.Cases Public o 0
Relations Inc.
Page 257 of 1576