Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/268408
• Feb. 24 to March 7: Staff and legal review of ITN; finalization of solicitation document. • March 17: North Port Commission special meeting to consider approval of the solici- tation document. • March 24: Sarasota County special meeting to consider waiver of the procurement code and approval of the solicitation document. • April 1: Post/advertise solicitation for 60 days (includes target marketing/ advertisements). • June 2: Bid closing. • June 9: City Commission review/selection — regular meeting. • June 10: County Commission review/selec- tion — regular meeting. • June 11 to June 22: Negotiate contract terms and draft agreement. • June 23: Final contract approval by the North Port Commission at a regular meeting. • July 8: Final contract approval by the County Commission at a regular meeting. • July 8 to Aug. 31: Vendor begins prepa- rations, including hiring and training of employees. • Sept. 1 to Sept. 14: Transition from the short- term operation to long-term management. • Sept. 15: Reopening of Warm Mineral Springs. THE SHORT-TERM BIDS During the Feb. 21 discussion, County Commissioner Patterson asked whether any bids had come in for the short-term operation of Warm Mineral Springs. Harmer responded that the bids were to be opened on Feb. 24. According to an email North Port Manager Lewis sent to his board and county staff just before 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 24, five bids were received. "Purchasing staff will be reviewing [them] accordingly," he added. The five firms that responded are as follows: • Warm Springs Attractions; Robert Zabler, sole proprietor; Port Charlotte. • New Vision Energy Solutions Consulting Group LLC; Wilber Jerome, CEO and founder; North Port. • Bioluminescence Institute Inc.; William Delp; Lake Worth. • Springs Management Services LLC; Eric Kotte; North Port. • National and State Park Concessions Inc.; Jack E. Bobo, president; Clay W. Taylor, chief financial officer; Hobe Sound. The bids were opened at 3 p.m. on Feb. 24, according to Lewis' email. Of the five, the one submitted by Warm Springs Attractions was the only bid to come in before Feb. 24; it was turned in to the city on Feb. 21, the bid receipt sheet shows. Assistant City Manager Daniel Schult told The Sarasota News Leader on Feb. 25 that if the city's Purchasing Department makes a recom- mendation on awarding the contract to one of the firms, the City Commission would make a decision on the matter during its March 24 regular meeting. The key issue, Schult pointed out, is determin- ing whether any of the bids meet the criteria to be considered qualified. "Our Purchasing Department is going through that process right now," he added. Sarasota News Leader February 28, 2014 Page 54