| The Department of Children and Families (department), Refugee Services (RS) is soliciting proposals from qualified vendors to provide Employability Status Assistance (ESA) services to refugees and entrants in Orange County, Florida. The goal of RS is to assist refugees and entrants to effectively resettle and become economically self-sufficient as quickly as possible following their arrival in the United States. Removing barriers to legal residency and employment will allow them to resettle successfully and achieve economic independence quickly. The department intends to contract with at least one entity to deliver Employability Status Assistance (ESA) services to eligible refugees and entrants to help eligible clients in achieving economic self-sufficiency and effective resettlement in as short a time period as possible through assistance in the preparation and filing of immigration documents. Please review the attached Request for Proposal (RFP). The Schedule of Events and Deadlines is listed in Section 2.5 of the RFP. Protests and Disputes Any person who is adversely affected by the terms, conditions and specifications contained in a solicitation, including any provisions governing the methods for ranking bids, proposals, or replies, awarding contracts, reserving rights of further negotiation, or modifying or amending any contract shall file a notice of protest in writing within 72 hours (Saturdays, Sundays and State holidays excluded) after the posting on the FCN of the solicitation or decision or intended decision. FAILURE TO FILE A PROTEST WITHIN THE TIME PRESCRIBED IN SECTION 120.57(3), F.S., SHALL CONSTITUTE A WAIVER OF PROCEEDINGS UNDER CHAPTER 120, FLORIDA STATUTES. When protesting a decision or intended decision the protestor must post a bond equal to one percent (1%) of the department € s estimated contract amount. The estimated contract amount shall be based upon the contract price submitted by the protestor. If no contract price was submitted, the department shall provide the estimated contract amount to the protestor within 72 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and state holidays) after the notice of protest has been filed. The estimated contract amount is not subject to protest pursuant to subsection 120.57(3) F. S. The bond shall be conditioned upon the payment of all costs and charges that are adjudged against the protestor in the administrative hearing in which action is brought and in any subsequent appellate court proceeding. FAILURE TO FILE THE PROPER BOND AT THE TIME OF FILING THE FORMAL WRITTEN PROTEST WILL RESULT IN A REJECTION OF THE PROTEST. In lieu of a bond the department may accept a cashiers check, official bank check, or money order in the amount of the bond.
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