Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida
Latest Update: Dec. 23, 1985
The issues considered in the course of this hearing concern the petition of Lanier Business Products, Inc. which challenged the validity of Respondent's award of a contract to Eastman Kodak Company through a bid process related to Bid No. 83-50, in lieu of the Petitioner's right to entitlement to that contract in that bid process. Petitioner claims that it is entitled to the award of the contract given the fact that it was the lowest responsive bidder for the project. By contrast, Respondent believes that the bid of Petitioner was unresponsive in two particulars, and as a consequence Respondent argues that it was appropriate to award the contract to Eastman Kodak, the only responsive bidder in this circumstance. On the subject of the two items within the bid specifications which Respondent claims that the Petitioner did not offer an adequate response, they are : 1. The alleged failure of the Petitioner's proposed equipment to comply with requirements for film transport speed of a minimum of twelve feet per second, and 2. The alleged interruption of the microfilm reader-printer operation when changing lenses in the equipment which Petitioner offered in response to the bid solicitation. By stipulation of counsel the inquiry was limited to a consideration of those two points of contention. 1/Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) finding bid unresponsive was in error. Lowest responsive bidder was unfairly removed from bid process. FDLE should award contract or pay damages.