It is recommended that the Mayor and City Commission approve the award of a contract to Liberty Elevator Corporation, pursuant to Invitation to Bid (ITB) No. 2022-007-DF for vertical transportation maintenance and repair services for the Miami Beach Convention Center.

This solicitation is currently under the cone of silence.

The City of Miami Beach ("City") Convention Center (MBCC) contains 18 escalators and 20 elevators of new condition that meet all the latest codes and safety measures. While the equipment was replaced during the recent renovation, escalators and elevators are considered vital assets within the facility that must be maintained in top condition to best serve those who visit the facility. In the event of a failure, emergency services are required expeditiously. Therefore, the Administration developed Invitation to Bid (ITB) No. 2022-007-DF for vertical transportation maintenance and repair for Miami Beach Convention Center.

Through the ITB, the City requested responses from qualified companies to provide vertical transportation services for the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC). Vertical transportation services are defined as the maintenance and repair of elevators and escalators. The MBCC's objective is that the selected firm provide the venue with first-class, quality vertical transportation services. The estimated annual budget for these services is $189,000.00 annually.

On February 15, 2022, the ITB was issued. The Procurement Department issued bid notices to approximately 6,000 companies utilizing the City's e-procurement system, with 39 prospective bidders accessing the solicitation. A voluntary site visit and pre-bid conference was held on March 2, 2022. ITB responses were due and received on March 31, 2022. The City received seven (7) responses from the following firms: Eastern Elevator Service Inc.; Liberty Elevator Corporation; Nouveau Florida, LLC; Oracle Elevator Holdco, Inc; Otis Elevator Company; TK Elevator Corporation; and Urban Elevator Service FL, LLC.

The bid submittal from Eastern Elevator Service, Inc. was deemed non-responsive for failure to submit the cost proposal form as required in the ITB and, therefore, could not be further considered.

The ITB stated that the lowest responsive, responsible Bidder meeting all terms, conditions, and specifications of the ITB would be recommended for award. The Procurement and Facilities and Fleet Management Departments have verified that the lowest bid submitted by Liberty Elevator Corporation is responsive to the requirements of the ITB.

Furthermore, City staff verified that Liberty Elevator Corporation complied with the ITB's experience and licensing requirements. The firm has not previously completed work for the City, but it has performed work for several privately owned firms located in South Florida, and all references provided positive feedback.

Accordingly, Liberty Elevator Corporation has been deemed the lowest responsive and responsible Bidder, meeting all terms, conditions, and specifications of the ITB.

The following is brief information about the bidder as included in the ITB. 

LIBERTY ELEVATOR CORPORATION

As a family-owned business, Liberty Elevator Corporation's ownership is directly involved in the day-to-day operations of the firm providing leadership and a heightened level of responsiveness that directly reflects the company’s' core family values. Liberty Elevator has an extensive history of elevator maintenance, repair, modernization, cab refurbishment, and installation.

According to the 2019 Community Satisfaction Survey conducted by ETC Institute, nearly 85% of local businesses believe the Miami Beach Convention Center contributes positively to the overall value of doing business in Miami Beach. This ITB intends on providing support to an already world-class Miami Beach facility by providing continuous vertical transportation maintenance and repair services for the benefit of all who visit.

The bid submitted by Liberty Elevator Corporation, the lowest responsive and responsible Bidder, was for a annual total amount of $540,229.00. Grant funds are not expected to be utilized for the services. 

Grant funding will not be utilized for this project.

It is recommend that the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, approve the award of a contract to Liberty Elevator Corporation, pursuant to Invitation to Bid (ITB) No. 2022-007-DF for vertical transportation maintenance and repair for Miami Beach Convention Center.