Miami-Dade County Bid Protest
The Miami Lobbying Firm of Gazitua Letelier helps clients distinguish between protests that have a realistic chance of winning and those that are likely to fail in Miami and South Florida. The firm has extensive experience in the bid protest process both in and out of government. We are prepared to represent you from the preparation of the initial protest to hearings.
What is a Bid Protest?
A bid protest is a challenge to the award or proposed award of a contract for procurement of goods and services or a challenge to the terms of a solicitation for such a contract. Protests may be filed against procurement actions by any County, City, State or Federal Government Agency. Bid protests are an integral part of government contracting and are now filed by many of the largest government contractors in Greater Miami and Miami-Dade County.
Who Can File a Bid Protest?
Solicitation Challenge
An interested party is generally a potential bidder for the contract who disagrees with the terms or requirements of the solicitation.
Contract Award Challenge
An interested party is generally an actual bidder that did not win the contract. Standing in the competition and the nature of issues raised may affect qualification.
Critical Timing Requirements
A protest challenging the award of a contract must be filed within days of when a protester knows or should know of the basis of the protest. The protesting party must be prepared to maximize the value of their bids in order to suspend contract award or performance.
In deciding whether to protest, a protester must quickly consider the strengths of their case and whether potential Miami-Dade County bid protest arguments should be pursued.
Legal Framework
Miami-Dade County procurement standards and discretion
Miami-Dade has significant discretion in the award of public contracts. However, such discretion may not be exercised arbitrarily or capriciously. See, Miami-Dade County v. Church & Tower, Inc., 715 So. 2d 1084, 1088 (Fla. 3d DCA 1998).
"The exercise of discretion must be based on facts tending to support the conclusions reached..."
"The hearing officer's sole responsibility is to ascertain whether the agency acted fraudulently, arbitrarily, illegally or dishonestly." Dep't of Transp. v. Groves-Watkins Constructors, 530 So. 2d 912, 913 (Fla. 1988).
Gazitua Letelier's Bid Protest Expertise
Gazitua Letelier's Miami bid protest lawyer is experienced in prosecuting and defending bid protests and legal disputes before the governments of Greater Miami and specializing in Miami-Dade County Bid Protest.
These matters require persuasiveness to take corrective action that remedies any injustice against our clients, either by securing an award or by maintaining a contract that would have been lost but for a protest.
In every instance, our clients have defended their rights to compete fairly for procurements.
Our Bid Protest Services:
Common Misconception
Some companies believe that they should never protest because they will be looked upon poorly by the agency and will not get any business from the procuring agency in the future if they protest.
In the vast majority of cases, this belief is untrue.
Professional bid protests are a normal part of government procurement and do not negatively impact future business relationships when handled properly.
Need Bid Protest Representation?
Time is critical in bid protests. Contact Gazitua Letelier immediately to evaluate your case and protect your rights in the procurement process.