It is recommended that the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, authorize the issuance of Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 2024-107-LB Gymnastics Program Instructional Services.

The Scott Rakow Youth Center offers a variety of programs and activities for the entire community. It is a place where people of all ages come to have fun, learn a new skill, and spend time with their families. The center is home to a variety of after-school and summer camp programs. One of the programs offered is gymnastics instruction.

The gymnastics multipurpose room is approximately 5,000 square feet and is equipped with a spring exercise floor, tumble track, uneven bars, vault, mats, and balance beams. The gymnastics program has approximately 1,491 enrollees annually.

On July 1, 2019, the City entered into an agreement with Gym Kidz, Inc., pursuant to RFQ 2019-047-WG, for the gymnastics instruction services. The initial term of the agreement was for a two (2) year term with three (3) additional one-year renewal options. Inclusive of all renewal terms, the contract would have expired on June 30, 2024. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Contractor notified the Parks and Recreation Department of its challenges recruiting coaches and instructors to run the programs. Shortly thereafter, the contractor ceased providing the instruction services.

On February 27, 2023, in response to the Contractor ceasing to provide services, the City issued a notice of violation which provided the Contractor a month to resume programming. Instead of resuming services, the Contractor responded with a proposal to increase participant fees. On June 28, 2023, the City Commission considered the proposal to increase participant fees but did not approve the increases. Instead, the City Commission directed the Administration to include a budget enhancement to cover the increase in the 2024 fiscal year budget. However, the budget enhancement was not recommended for funding.

Due in part to the issues faced with the Gym Kidz, Inc. contract, prior to issuing a solicitation for a replacement contract, the Parks and Recreation Department conducted market research to evaluate the staffing issues experienced by the prior contractor and the possibility that the rates set by the City for the instruction would need to be increased to support the recruitment of gymnastics instruction professionals.

At this time, the Parks and Recreation Department wishes to reestablish a gymnastics program for the City of Miami Beach. Issuing a new solicitation will afford the city the flexibility to negotiate the fee schedule with the successful proposer.

Through this RFQ, the Parks and Recreation Department is seeking proposals from qualified providers of gymnastic program instruction services in accordance with the terms, conditions, and specifications contained in the draft solicitation attached.

The scope of work and requirements of the RFQ are more fully defined in the RFQ attached as Attachment A. Following the receipt of proposals, an Evaluation Committee will review proposals in accordance with the criteria established in the RFQ.

The resulting agreement will be a revenue agreement. The anticipated revenue on the previous contract's pricing and programming is $87,000. However, all fees will be negotiated and submitted to the City Commission for approval. 

It is recommended that the Mayor and Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, authorize the issuance of Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 2024-107-LB Gymnastics Program Instructional Services.

Was Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No.