Board affirms hearing master, allows county to request best‑and‑final offers in solid‑waste procurement

The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday affirmed the hearing master's decision in a procurement protest related to the county’s solicitation for recovered‑materials processing facility services and directed staff to proceed with a request for best‑and‑final offers.

Ken Tanker, counsel for the protesting bidder, argued that the county’s actions created an “opportunity for favoritism” by allowing a losing bidder to propose alternative revenue streams and to seek a new best‑and‑final process after evaluations were closed. Tanker asked the board to remand the matter to the hearing master so the issue could be examined in greater detail.

County procurement director Scott Stromer and the county attorney’s office argued the board had authority to request best‑and‑final offers and that Addendum 4 (the BAFO request) was consistent with the solicitation and Florida procurement law. Julie Mandel, representing the county attorney’s office during the hearings, summarized the hearing master’s findings and recommended the board affirm the decision.

After board discussion, Commissioner Harry Cohen moved to affirm the hearing master’s decision; the motion was seconded and the board voted 7–0 to affirm the hearing master, allowing procurement staff to resume the BAFO process and receive revised proposals.

The board’s action affirms the procedural steps taken by procurement staff and clears the way for additional competitive submissions as the county seeks to finalize a contractor for recovered‑materials processing.