High Springs picks Fred Fox Enterprises for CDBG administration after Cornerstone files protest

The High Springs City Commission voted on Nov. 13 to award professional services for CDBG subgrant administration to Fred Fox Enterprises after staff corrected earlier ranking-sheet errors and consulted with Florida Commerce.

During discussion staff explained the evaluation-sheets were revised following guidance from Florida Commerce. City staff recommended Fox Enterprises based on prior performance; Cornerstone, a competing firm, submitted a formal written protest and an associated public-records request alleging scoring errors and stating the city was not in compliance with certain CDBG subgrant conditions.

Cornerstone's representative read emails into the public record asserting the project was 14 months behind schedule and citing Attachment D of the city's subgrant agreement and 2 CFR Part 200 as the procurement framework. Staff told the commission that Florida Commerce reviewed the revised ranking sheets and stated it did not identify an automatic basis to reject the procurement, although a timely protest would pause the award while Commerce evaluated the protest's merits.

Melissa Fox of Fred Fox Enterprises responded from the public podium, saying her firm had already begun the environmental review work and disputing some factual claims Cornerstone made about other municipal projects. The commission approved the award by voice vote after questions and public comments.

The commission and staff said the project remains time-sensitive; staff noted a 14-month delay on the associated stormwater infrastructure work and said the procurement and any protest could affect that timeline. Commissioners asked staff to continue coordinating with Florida Commerce and to provide any follow-up memos if Cornerstone pursues a formal protest.