Investigation Services

THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
INVESTIGATION SERVICES
RFP NO. 26-03
The City of St. Augustine Beach ("City") requests that interested parties respond to the solicitation below
by Monday, October 5, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Further information and proposal packets are available through
Euna OpenBids at www.demandstar.com, or the City's website at www.staugbch.com.
INTENT
The City of St. Augustine Beach (the "City") seeks to engage a private investigation firm licensed to do
business in Florida to conduct a thorough background investigation of candidates for the position of City
Manager of St. Augustine Beach.
Proposals must be received no later than 3:00 P.M. EDT on Monday, October 5, 2026.
Requests for written interpretation or clarification must be received no later than 4:00 P.M.
EDT on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
RESPONDING TO THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
All individuals and firms intending to submit a proposal must include all required forms as specified in this
solicitation.
Proposals may be submitted by one of the following methods:
1. Physical Submission - Delivered in a sealed envelope as described below; or
2. Electronic Submission - Submitted through the Euna OpenBids website in accordance with the
instructions provided by said website.
Faxed or emailed submissions will not be accepted.
Physical proposals must be enclosed in a sealed envelope, clearly labeled with the proposal number, and
delivered to:
City of St. Augustine Beach
Request for Proposal #26-03
2200 A1A South
St. Augustine Beach, Florida 32080
Respondents are responsible for allowing sufficient time for delivery. Any proposal received after the
stated deadline will be rejected and will not be considered.
PROPOSAL OPENING
Respondents or their authorized representatives are invited to attend the proposal opening. Proposals
will be publicly opened and read at the following time and place:
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3:00 p.m. EDT, Monday, October 5, 2026
City of St. Augustine Beach City Hall
City Manager's Office
2200 A1A South
St. Augustine Beach, Florida 32080
Pursuant to the Florida Public Records Act, Section 119.071(1)(b), Florida Statutes, sealed proposals are
exempt from inspection, examination, and duplication until the earlier of: (1) the issuance of a Notice of
Award or Notice of Intent to Award in accordance with Section 120.57(3)(a), Florida Statutes, or (2) thirty
(30) days after the proposal opening. This exemption is not waived by the public opening of proposals.
Unless otherwise exempt, all proposal submittals become public records upon expiration of the above
exemption period. If any portion of a proposal is claimed to be a trade secret, as defined in Section
812.081, Florida Statutes, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law, the Respondent must clearly
identify such material as "CONFIDENTIAL TRADE SECRET" and provide a written justification for the
exemption.
The City reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any proposal that contains excessive or
unsupported assertions of trade secret confidentiality and may return such proposal to the Respondent.
INQUIRIES AND ADDENDA
City staff are not authorized to provide oral interpretations of the specifications or other Agreement
documents, nor to correct any ambiguity, inconsistency, or error. Any interpretation or correction is
binding only if issued in writing. City staff may provide procedural guidance or refer Respondents to
applicable provisions; however, Respondents are solely responsible for ensuring that their Proposal
complies with all written requirements.
Requests for written interpretation or clarification must be received no later than 4:00 P.M. EDT on
Thursday, September 24, 2026. Requests may be submitted by fax at 904-471-4108 or by email at
clerk@cityofsab.org.
All interpretations, corrections, or supplemental instructions will be issued by written addendum and
posted on the City's website and through Euna OpenBids to all prospective Respondents. Submission of a
Proposal constitutes acknowledgment of receipt of all addenda. Proposals will be evaluated as if all
addenda have been received. Failure to receive any addendum does not relieve the Respondent of its
obligations. All addenda shall become part of the Agreement.
DISQUALIFICATION OF RESPONDENTS
The following conditions shall constitute sufficient grounds for disqualification of a Respondent and
rejection of its Proposal:
a. Submission of more than one (1) Proposal for the same services by the same individual, firm,
partnership, or corporation under the same or different names;
b. Evidence of collusion among Respondents;
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c. Submission of materially false or misleading information;
d. Adverse information obtained through reference checks or other sources indicating that the
Respondent may be unable to satisfactorily perform the required services;
e. Existing contractual commitments that, in the City's sole judgment, may impair the Respondent's
ability to complete the Work in a timely manner;
f. Unsatisfactory performance on any current contract with the City;
g. Previous default on a contract with the City;
h. Failure of the Respondent's submission or the City's independent investigation to demonstrate
that the Respondent is qualified to perform the obligations of the Agreement in a manner
acceptable to the City and within the required timeframe; or
i. Any other condition that, in the City's sole judgment, raises reasonable doubt as to the
Respondent's ability to successfully perform the Work in accordance with the City's objectives.
REJECTION OF PROPOSAL
Proposals must be received at the designated location prior to the specified opening time to be
considered. Late submissions will be returned unopened.
A Proposal may be deemed non-responsive and subject to rejection if it contains material omissions,
unauthorized alterations, additions not requested, conditions or limitations, alternate proposals not
authorized, or any other material irregularities. The City may also consider any Proposal incomplete if it is
not prepared and submitted in accordance with the requirements of this solicitation.
The City reserves the right to waive minor informalities or irregularities in an otherwise responsive
Proposal.
The City reserves the right to reject any and all Proposals if it determines, in its sole judgment, that such
action is in the best interest of the City.
WITHDRAWAL OF PROPOSALS
A Respondent may withdraw its Proposal by submitting a written request to the City prior to the scheduled
Proposal opening. A Respondent may also request withdrawal within seventy-two (72) hours after the
Proposal opening upon a showing of good cause, subject to approval by the City, in its sole discretion.
PUBLIC ENTITY CRIMES/DISCRIMINATORY VENDORS
In accordance with Sections 287.133 and 287.134, Florida Statutes, any person or affiliate that has been
placed on the convicted vendor list or discriminatory vendor list is prohibited from submitting a bid,
proposal, or reply for contracts with a public entity. Such entities are also prohibited from being awarded
or performing work as a contractor, supplier, subcontractor, or consultant, or from transacting business
with any public entity in excess of the threshold amount established in Section 287.017, Florida Statutes,
for Category Two ($35,000), for a period of thirty-six (36) months following placement on the applicable
list.
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FLORIDA SALES TAX
The City is exempt from payment of State of Florida sales tax pursuant to Section 212.08(6), Florida
Statutes. Any tangible personal property procured under this Request for Proposals shall remain tangible
personal property and shall not be incorporated into a public work owned by the City.
NOTICES AND SERVICES THEREOF
The City will publish all notices related to this solicitation, including but not limited to specifications,
addenda, and intended agency decisions, on Euna OpenBids (www.demandstar.com) and on the City's
website (www.staugbch.com).
Notices posted on Euna OpenBids shall be deemed received at 8:00 a.m. on the next business day
following the posting date. All notices will remain posted for a minimum of seventy-two (72) hours after
they are deemed received. The time period for filing a Notice of Protest pursuant to Section 120.57(3),
Florida Statutes, and Rule 28-110.003, Florida Administrative Code, shall commence upon deemed receipt.
As a courtesy, the City may transmit copies of notices of intended agency decisions via email or facsimile
to the contact information provided by Respondents. Such courtesy transmissions do not constitute official
notice and do not alter the official notice or timing requirements stated above.
PROTEST PROCEDURES
1. Eligibility to File a Protest
Any actual or prospective bidder, proposer, offeror, or contractor who is aggrieved in connection with
this solicitation or the award of a contract may file a protest with the City Manager. Protests related
to the cancellation of a solicitation or the rejection of all bids or proposals are not permitted.
2. Time for Filing
A protest must be filed within three (3) business days after the aggrieved party knew or should have
known of the facts giving rise to the protest, provided the contract has not been approved by the City
Commission or fully executed, if such approval is not required. A protest is deemed filed upon receipt
by the City Manager.
3. Form of Protest
All protests must be submitted in writing to the City Manager at:
2200 A1A South, St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080
The protest must clearly state all grounds upon which it is based. Any grounds not specifically raised
are deemed waived. The protesting party may include any supporting documentation deemed
relevant.
4. Protest Procedures
a. Solicitation or Specification Protests
Any person adversely affected by the procurement methodology, specifications, or criteria,
including any addenda, must file a Notice of Protest within three (3) business days after receipt of
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the solicitation. A Formal Written Protest must be filed within ten (10) days after the Notice of
Protest. The Formal Written Protest must state with particularity the facts and legal basis for the
protest.
b. Award or Intended Award Protests
Any person adversely affected by a decision or intended decision to award a contract, or to reject
all responses, must file a Notice of Protest within three (3) business days after receipt of the
decision or intended decision. A Formal Written Protest must be filed within ten (10) days after
the Notice of Protest and must state with particularity the facts and legal basis for the protest.
c. Filing Requirements
All protest filings must be received by the City Manager within the specified time periods. No
additional time will be allowed for mailing. Electronic or facsimile submissions are not accepted.
Failure to file a timely Notice of Protest or Formal Written Protest as required shall constitute a waiver of
all protest rights.
FIRM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Each firm applying for consideration should provide the following information for review:
A. Firm Overview
Provide a description of the firm, including Florida private investigator license information,
relevant experience, date of establishment or incorporation under the current management
structure, and an overview of the firm's operations, including any parent or subsidiary entities.
B. Relevant Experience
Describe the firm's experience providing services similar in scope and nature to those
requested in this RFP, including current and recent engagements with comparable clients.
C. Service Approach and Fees
Describe the firm's approach to delivering the services requested. Provide a proposed total per
candidate or a detailed rate sheet for services related to the requested Scope of Work below.
D. References
Provide at least three (3) references from clients or public entities familiar with the firm's work
in providing similar services, including current contact information.
E. Insurance
Provide proof of Professional liability (Errors & Omissions) coverage or other related insurance
related to services requested.
F. Litigation and Conflicts
Disclose any material litigation, administrative proceedings, or investigations involving the firm
or proposed team members that are currently pending or have been resolved within the past
two (2) years. Identify any potential conflicts of interest related to this proposal.
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G. Contract Terminations
Disclose any contract terminations for cause, or due to failure to perform, by any municipality
within the past relevant period.
SCOPE OF WORK
1. Check of Current and Previous Employment
- Exact dates of employment
- Job duties and responsibilities
- Reason(s) for leaving (whether voluntary or involuntary)
- Work performance evaluations
- Check for any gaps in employment and reasons for the gaps
- Professional disciplinary actions
2. Criminal History Check and Results at Each Address Where Applicant Lived
3. Non-Criminal Offense Check at Each Address Where Applicant Lived, including but not limited to:
- Civil litigation history
- Bankruptcy filings and soft credit check
- Foreclosures
- Ethics violations
- Public corruption investigations
- Regulatory enforcement actions
4. Check for Military Service If Claimed
- DD-214 form(s). Check for authenticity of information on the form: date of service, military
branch, reasons for separation from service, whether honorable, dishonorable, or general.
5. Education
- Verification of degrees and dates when awarded
- Verification of certifications relevant to employment and date(s) received
6. Personal References: Questions
- How do you know the applicant and for how long?
- How well does applicant work with others?
- How well does the applicant work under stress?
- How is the applicant's temper?
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- Have you ever seen the applicant drink alcoholic beverages or use narcotics? If so, what was
the context, for example, moderate social drinking (two or one drink) with family or friends
with a meal at in a private house or restaurant, or in a bar/nightclub, lounge?
- Are you aware of any reasons the applicant should be disqualified from holding the position
of City Manager?
- Are you aware of the applicant ever being arrested for a crime and/or convicted of a crime?
7. Neighborhood and Community Check
- How do you know the applicant?
- Does the applicant get along well with others?
- Do you know of any reason(s) why the application should be disqualified?
8. Check of Other Sources for Information
- News sources, local, state, and national
- Social media sources created by the applicant and/or by others about him or her
- Published articles, presentations, or public statements.
- Professional publications
DELIVERABLES
For the above Scope of Work, the responding firm will provide a complete report to the City that includes,
but is not limited to, the following:
- Executive summary
- Detailed findings by category
- Source documentation
- Verification of all credentials
- Identification of any discrepancies
- Risk assessment/issues requiring follow-up
- Oral presentation to the City Commission (if requested, in person or via video conference)
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE
The job advertisement covered by this RFP will close on Monday, September 21, 2026, and a shortlist is
anticipated to be created by Monday, October 5th. Investigations should be able to proceed shortly after
the shortlist is finalized and completed by the time interviews begin in mid-November. Specific dates will
be detailed with the selected firm during contract negotiations.
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