Exceptions

Unless specifically provided in the applicable RFP, RFQ or bid document, the Cone of Silence does not apply to the following:

• communications regarding a particular RFP, RFQ or bid between any person and the County's Vendor Assistance Unit staff, the procurement agent or contracting officer responsible for administering the procurement process for such RFP, RFQ or bid, provided the communication is limited strictly to matters of process or procedure already contained in the corresponding solicitation document
• communications regarding a particular RFP, RFQ or bid between the procurement agent or contracting officer or their designated secretarial/clerical staff responsible for administering the procurement process for such RFP, RFQ or bid and a member of the respective selection committee, provided the communication is limited strictly to matters of process or procedure already contained in the corresponding solicitation document
• communications between the County Manager and the Chairperson of the Selection Committee about a particular selection committee recommendation, only after the committee has submitted an award recommendation to the Manager and provided that, should any change occur in the committee recommendation, the content of the communication and of the corresponding change shall be described in writing and filed by the Manager with the Clerk of the Board and be included in any recommendation memorandum submitted by the Manager to the Board of County Commissioners
• communications between a potential vendor, service provider, bidder, consultant or lobbyist and employees of the Management and Technical Assistance Unit of the Small Business Affairs/DPM regarding small and/or minority business programs, the Community Business Enterprise and Equitable Distribution Programs
• communications between a potential vendor, service provider, bidder, consultant or lobbyist and employees responsible for administering disadvantaged business enterprise programs in County departments receiving federal funds provided the communication is limited strictly to matters of programmatic process or procedure
• communications with the Office of the County Attorney and his or her staff
• emergency procurements of goods and services pursuant to Administrative Order 3-38
• oral communications at pre-bid conferences
• oral presentations before publicly noticed selection committee meetings
• contract negotiations during any duly noticed public meeting
• duly noticed site visits to determine competency of bidders during the period between bid opening and issuance of the County Manager's written recommendation
• public presentations before the Board of County Commissioners during any duly noticed public meeting
• competitive processes for the award of CDBG, HOME, SHIP and Surtax Funds administered by the Miami-Dade County Office of Community and Economic Development
• communications in writing at any time with any County employee, official or member of the Board of County Commissioners unless specifically prohibited by the applicable RFP, RFQ or bid documents, copy to the Clerk of the Board