Attorneys:
William J. Cea
Bernie Friedman
Yolanda Cash Jackson
Alan Koslow
Keith Poliakoff
Elinette Ruiz*
Mark J. Stempler

* Not a member of the Florida Bar

Governmental entities, at all levels, purchase hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of goods and services from outside vendors on a regular basis to make their city, agency or district run smoothly and efficiently. Everything from printing services, to garbage hauling, to construction projects and much more are procured by all types of government agencies. Becoming a government vendor can be very profitable for private companies who understand the complexities and nuances of governmental contracting.

Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. has a long history and proven track record representing vendors pursuing governmental contracts. Government procurement is a highly specialized area of the law for several reasons: each public body has a unique set of rules and regulations governing their procurement process which must be followed precisely; and often require extraordinary documentation in very short timeframes to submit, petition or protest an award. Thus, our experience in government procurement and insider's knowledge of the governmental process become vital for our clients who do business with governments and rely on our knowledge, contacts, responsiveness and determination to get the job done.

With offices throughout Florida, the Procurement team has worked in cities and counties around the state. In South Florida, the team includes Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, Carlos Gimenez and Ellinette Ruiz (Miami Dade); Bernie Friedman, Neil Schiller (Broward and Palm Beach), Christopher Thornton, Sarah Spector (Lee, Collier); Michael Boutzoukas, Brian Willis (Tampa Bay region). Bill Cea and Mark Stempler handle Bid Protests and related procurement disputes throughout the state.

Services Offered:

• Representation in government procurement process, including assistance in review and submittal of bids and responses to requests for proposals, requests for qualifications, requests for letters of interests, and other public solicitations.
  

• Monitoring/notification/assistance with review of public advertisements and availability of public project.
  

• Placement on public vendor list with purchasing divisions for government agencies.
  

• Review of terms and conditions of advertisements for government contracts.
  

• Review of submittal requirements set forth in procurement documents.
  

• Assistance in preparation and review of bids, proposals, qualifications, and letter of interest in government contracts.
  

• Government relations activities to lobby and interact with government officials to further clients' goals.
  

• Advisement as to applicable statutory and administrative rights and remedies – re: qualification, ranking, award, and protest in government contracts.
  

• Intervention in challenging government agency actions, preparation of protest petitions, and representation of clients in all phases of contract awards, including qualifications, rankings, and contract negotiations.
  

• Intervention in defense of awards challenged by competitive bidders or third parties.
  

• Negotiation with government agencies re: resolution of government contract disputes.
  

• Representation in negotiating final contracts pursuant to government contract awards, including issues such as terms of payment, contractual liability, or insurance coverage and other mandatory contractual provisions.
  

• Assistance with development and maintenance of governmental contract relations.

Since its founding 30 years ago, Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. has had a strong Government Law and Lobbying Department representing governmental entities in a variety of legal practice areas, and assisting private sector clients doing business with municipal, local, regional and state governmental entities. As such, the Firm has extensive experience in issues unique to governmental representation such as the Public Records Act, Sunshine Laws, Governmental contracting, Governmental ethics, and Sovereign Immunity issues.

In addition to government procurement, practice areas of the Government Law and Lobbying Department include: general litigation, governmental lobbying, construction litigation, telecommunications, employment practices defense, eminent domain, contracts, tort defense, transportation law, real estate, Florida administrative procedures, environmental land use, civil rights and law enforcement defense. The Firm represents large, small and minority owned corporations who provide services to federal, state and local governmental agencies as the prime contractor or sub-contractor. Our clients provide services to governmental agencies ranging from office products to public facilities management, such as, public transportation and bridge operations.