Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: March 24, 2026
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
FROM: Carrie Mathes, FNIGP, CFCM, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, C.P.M., Manager II, Procurement Division
CONTACT: Ralphetta Aker, Director, Human Resources Division
PHONE: 407-836-5825
SUBJECT: Selection of Firm, Request for Proposals Y26-121-LS, Special Legal Counsel for the Grievance Adjustment Board
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Selection of one firm and an alternate to provide Special Legal Counsel for the Grievance Adjustment Board, Request for Proposals Y26-121-LS, from the following firms listed alphabetically:
Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete LLP
Shepard, Smith, Hand & Brackins P.A.
Further request Board authorization for the Procurement Division to negotiate and execute a contract within the not-to-exceed budget of $131,250.
Further request Board authorization for the Procurement Division to formally terminate negotiations with the top ranked firm, if we are unable to come to a favorable negotiated agreement, and commence negotiations with the next ranked alternate, until a successful negotiation is reached. ([Administrative and Fiscal Services Department Human Resources Division] Procurement Division)
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PROCUREMENT:
This contract will provide services as legal counsel to the Grievance Adjustment Board (GAB). The GAB is established by the Board of County Commissioners pursuant to its personnel policy manual and collective bargaining agreements with various unions.
Counsel shall perform all such legal and administrative services as would customarily be undertaken by general counsel to a board such as the GAB. Counsel may be asked to research legal issues and prepare memoranda for the GAB. Counsel shall develop and facilitate at least two trainings annually on the GAB process.
FUNDING:
Funding is available in account number 001-025-0274-3119.
APPROVALS:
The Human Resources Division concurs with this recommendation.
REMARKS:
Three proposals were received in response to this Request for Proposals (RFP) and evaluated based on the criteria established in the RFP. Sabatini Law Firm P.A. was deemed non-responsive due to deviating from the fee schedule that was published with the solicitation.
The Procurement Committee evaluated the responsive proposals on March 11, 2026. Commissioner Christine Moore was assigned to the Procurement Committee.
The scores of the Procurement Committee are attached.