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Public Contracting in Florida

2008 Date and Location:

CLE Hours
This Course is Eligible for
5.5(60 minute)
6.6(50 minute)
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CPE Hours
This Course is Eligible for
6.0(CPE)
hours of credit.
Program Level: Basic
Program Prerequisite: None
Advance Preparation: None
Method: Group-Live
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Florida Government — State, county, city and municipal agencies — offer extraordinary opportunities for the sale of equipment, material, supplies, construction work, and other goods and services. The key for an individual or company seeking to do business with any Florida Government entity: Understanding precisely how the public contracting system works and how it differs from commercial transactions and from transactions with the Federal Government.

The purpose of this course: To show you how to effectively take advantage of available contracting opportunities at all levels of Florida Government and to guide you in the special procedures and strategies contractors need to know.

Who will benefit from this course? All individuals, agencies or companies who are directly or indirectly involved with public business in Florida. It will not only benefit companies seeking to provide goods/services to state, county, agency, city or municipal departments, but also those already involved in public contracting wishing to swiftly update their knowledge of business opportunities and of contracting requirements. This special one-day program will benefit company executives and project managers, sales directors, program managers, contract administrators, marketing personnel, attorneys, government personnel, insurers, and others.

A review of the detailed Course Curriculum illustrates how this program will take you, step-by-step, through the full cycle of the public contracting process—Locating and developing opportunities. . . contract administration. . . subcontracting
. . . disputes resolution while addressing specific procurement needs—maintenance, construction, supplies, services, and more. Further, the specialized characteristics of the Florida public contract law are highlighted and explained—including prevailing wage requirements, exemptions to the rules, and when competitive bidding is not required.

The program will be presented by a veteran professional Course Director, who is able to teach what he knows in terms you can immediately apply to your individual needs. And, each attendee will receive a Course Manual of original materials prepared by the Course Director exclusively for your use during the program and as a source-book of continuing value to you.

We look forward to having you join us.

Public Contracting in Florida Course Curriculum

  1. Overview
    1. Basic Public Procurement Concepts
    2. Competitive Bidding
    3. Negotiated Contracts
    4. Exceptions to Competitive Bidding Rules

    2. Understanding the Rule Structure

    1. The Florida Public Contract Codes
    2. Other Applicable Florida Codes
    3. County, Municipal and Other Organizations
    4. Educational Entities

    3. Acquisition Planning and Contracting Methods

    1. Informal Procurements
    2. Lobbying
    3. Invitations for Bid
    4. Requests for Proposals
    5. Invitations to Negotiate
    6. Advertising
    7. Contractor Qualification
    8. Evaluation

    4. Socio-Economic Programs

    1. Small Business
    2. Minority Business
    3. Labor Laws
    4. Other Socio-Economic Programs

    5. Bid Protests

    1. Forum
    2. Procedural Issues
    3. Substantive Bases
    4. Remedies

    6. Contract Management and Disputes

    1. Schedule
    2. Payments
    3. Changes
    4. Delay
    5. Terminations for Default and Convenience

    7. Public Records and Sunshine Law

    1. General Principles
    2. Exemptions

Course Director

Joseph M. Goldstein is a Partner at Shutts & Bowen LLP, where he concentrates his practice on Government Contracts law and commercial litigation. With offices in both Fort Lauderdale and Tallahassee, he represents defense companies, technology firms, construction firms and government service providers in an array of matters, including bid protests; employment litigation, especially involving noncompetition agreements; and real estate disputes. A former Assistant General Counsel for the Federal Government, Mr. Goldstein has a broad range of experience in Government Contracting law. He has also been a part-time hearing officer for Broward County, presiding over bid protests and debarment hearings under the Broward County Procurement Code. Mr. Goldstein is the Florida State Co-Chair for the Section of Public Contract Law, State and Local Contracting Division of the American Bar Association. He also acts as Vice-Chair of the ABA’s State and Local Procurement Division, as well as its State and Local Division Bid Protest Committee. Mr. Goldstein received a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University, a Juris Doctor degree from Nova University, magna cum laude, and an LL.M. in Taxation with distinction from the Georgetown University Law Center. Mr. Goldstein is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Business Litigation.