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Government Procurement and P3 Insights Blog

As governments strive to build smarter cities and expand and adapt their infrastructure to meet ever-changing needs with a view toward long-term sustainability and resilience, they are increasingly turning to the private sector to plan and execute complex developments and transactions. Opportunities abound for businesses engaged in the provision of goods and services, through both traditional public procurement processes and under public-private partnership (P3) arrangements. Regardless of the selection and execution methods chosen by public authorities, the bidding, procurement, and performance of government contracts is complex.

The public needs, which the private sector is regularly called upon to meet, are becoming increasingly multifaceted on both the business and legal sides, whether those needs involve mass transit systems, utilities infrastructure, or the provision and operation of ‘social infrastructure’, such as educational campuses, government buildings, and healthcare facilities. At the same time, the rapid evolution of these needs has created unprecedented business opportunities for companies that compete for contracts that arise from government’s addressing the associated challenges.

The Government Procurement and P3 Insights Blog serves as a timely and informative resource for all companies involved in government contracting matters and public-private partnerships, whether they are real estate developers, consortia, contractors, concessionaires, or operators. The blog aims to illuminate the issues and trends shaping government contracting and P3’s in Florida and beyond, giving private companies key insights on the rewarding opportunities that come from working with the public sector to serve civic needs.

Proposed Bill Would Impact Economic Development Efforts within CRAs
The Community Redevelopment Act of 1969 authorizes counties and municipalities to create CRAs as a means for redeveloping slums and blighted areas in the community. The Florida Legislature is currently considering a proposed bill (HB 991/SB 1242), which would dramatically limit the impact and operation of CRAs. Local officials and developers with projects in CRAs should monitor the bill closely.
Upcoming Bills of Interest in the Upcoming Florida Legislative Session
It is that time of the year again, and the Florida Legislature is gearing up for the start of the 2025 session, which begins on March 25. Over 360 bills have been filed but there are few bills that merit special attention as it relates to the potential impact it will have on Public-Private Partnerships or general development within the state. These bills aim at modifying state park management, addressing affordable housing challenges, and streamlining local entitlement processes.
Update on Local Government P3 Implementing Procedures Following Adoption of Major New P3 Legislation
Last year, the Florida Legislature enacted HB 781, expanding the statutory framework for public-private partnerships (P3s) in Florida. The amendments to Section 255.065 of the Florida Statutes streamlined the process for review of unsolicited proposals, and provides local governments with the flexibility of accept unsolicited proposals without engaging in a public bidding process. 
Combining Incentives to Deliver Housing for Public-Sector Workers
Florida’s Live Local Act, which was adopted in 2023, has already garnered significant attention. The Live Local Act is an ambitious piece of legislation intended to facilitate and incentivize the development of new housing for working families. But, a recent Florida Policy Institute report explains that Florida’s public-sector workers, including teachers, firefighters, police officers, and paramedics, earn less than 80% of area median income in certain communities and therefore are not directly benefited by the Live Local Act.
Winners at this Year's P3 Awards
The P3 Awards are held yearly to recognize and celebrate projects and individuals in the P3 space. This year many incredible projects and teams were nominated but only some of them took home a prize. This year’s great panel of judges worked hard to select the winning teams, and we wish to highlight some of the standout selections. 
Leveraging Public Land to House Government Employees

The lack of affordable and workforce housing is particularly problematic for many government employees, and local governments in South Florida are increasingly looking to public-private development not only as a partial solution to the larger, community-wide affordability crisis, but also as a solution to the housing needs of their employees.

Delivering the Key to the City: Special Considerations in City Hall P3s
A number of municipalities have recently issued, or are contemplating, competitive solicitations for public-private partnerships (“P3s”) to deliver new municipal facilities, typically as part of a transformative “town center” or “downtown” redevelopment project. As of September 30, 2024, the City of North Miami, City of Hialeah, City of Margate, City of Pompano Beach and City of Riviera Beach, among other jurisdictions in South Florida, have expressed interest in, or are currently pursuing a P3 whereby the private component of the project will subsidize the construction of much-needed new city hall facilities.