Procurement Justification – Hotel Accommodations and Meeting Space for BSIS Civics Workshop

Summary The North East Florida Educational Consortium (NEFEC) will host the BSIS Civics Summer Professional Learning Workshop for directors and coaches from several Florida districts. Funded by the Florida Department of Education, the workshop will feature professional development, collaboration, and planning sessions, and will require hotel accommodations and meeting space in central Florida. The selected venue must provide sufficient guest rooms, meeting and breakout spaces, audiovisual support, and logistical coordination within state per diem guidelines. Availability on the required dates, experience with similar education events, and the ability to meet program and budget requirements are essential for the workshop’s success. Brief Description Hotel accommodations, meeting rooms, and related event support services for the BSIS Civics Summer Professional Learning Workshop, scheduled for July 8–9, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. Estimated Value Estimated total cost not to exceed $10,000–$15,000, including lodging, meeting room rental, and associated fees. Final costs will depend on attendance and event requirements. This estimate can be revised once the exact not-to-exceed amount is confirmed. Term (Years) One-time event (July 2026) Vendor The Celeste Hotel, Orlando – A Tribute Portfolio Hotel Justification NEFEC previously posted hotel solicitations for Florida Department of Education–funded events but received no responsive bids. Due to limited market response and specific requirements for dates, location, and budget, NEFEC conducted targeted outreach to identify qualified venues. The Celeste Hotel in Orlando was the only venue available that met all program criteria, including scheduling, location, state per diem, space, and pricing. As a result, The Celeste Hotel was selected as a single-source vendor because other venues could not meet these requirements or were unavailable.