Boca Raton Procurement Lawyer

Boca Raton Procurement Attorney

If you own a company that does business with government entities, whether on the local, state, or federal level, you know that working with government agencies can be complicated. There are legal and compliance issues that may not apply in civilian business, and the process of getting work can be difficult and time-consuming. If you are in the Boca Raton area and working on getting government work, you could benefit from the help of a Boca Raton procurement lawyer.

At the Law Offices of Gary A. Costales, P.A., we have over two decades of experience serving clients in all aspects of employment law. For our business clients, we provide sound legal advice from a position of knowledge and advocate for client rights in negotiations and contract amendments. Our team can help you pursue not only contracts and successful bids that keep your business moving forward, but also by protecting your contracts.

Laws Governing Business with Government Entities

As of 2023, there were 14,602 businesses in Boca Raton. For privately owned businesses, government contracts can be a significant source of revenue. In Florida, procedures and requirements for doing business with government entities are laid out in Title 19, Chapter 287 of the Florida Statutes. These laws exist to protect fair competition for business contracts with government entities and make certain compliance and contracting rules are followed.

Bidding for Government Contracts

Bidding for government contracts works differently depending on whether the government entity in question is a local, state, or federal government. To bid on state government contracts in Florida, the following general steps should be followed:

• Set up your vendor profile. Florida uses a vendor marketplace to source businesses for its needs. The first step toward getting contract work with the Florida state government is to create a profile for your business on this marketplace.
• Search for relevant jobs. When the Florida state government has a need, a solicitation for bids is posted in the marketplace. Once you register as a vendor, you can begin searching for jobs.
• Prepare and submit a bid. After reading the requirements of the job very carefully, you can begin to prepare a bid for the project. It is imperative to make sure that all requirements in the job posting are covered.

Submitting bids for jobs at the local or federal level often works much the same way. Most government entities also have online portals where vendors can register, look for jobs, and submit bids. However, each state has different procurement laws, and there is another set of procurement laws that apply to the federal government. No matter where you are looking for government work, it is advisable to seek legal representation.

Hire a Procurement Lawyer in Boca Raton

If you intend to secure a government contract for your business, or if you already have one, one practical step you can take to protect yourself is to hire a procurement lawyer.

If you are in the process of finding work, your attorney can help you review job postings and anticipate any potential negatives or legal challenges involved with the job. If you decide to pursue a job, your lawyer can help you draft your bid by making sure you can satisfy all legal, insurance, and compliance requirements pursuant to Florida procurement law.

If you already have a government contract, you know that changes or objections can pose challenges when they come from government entities. An experienced procurement lawyer can help you navigate any challenges that come up over the course of an existing contract, possibly preventing major setbacks before they happen. Working with a procurement lawyer from the Law Offices of Gary A. Costales, P.A., can help.

FAQs

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Procurement Lawyer in Boca Raton?

The cost to hire a procurement lawyer in Boca Raton varies depending on the individual rates and fee structures set by attorneys, the complexity of your needs, and the amount of time the lawyer expects to spend working on your behalf. Fees could also change if your case is litigated in court. Speak with your lawyer about their fee structure during an initial consultation to identify the costs you could incur.

What If a Government Entity Refuses to Pay Me?

If you have a contract with a government entity and they refuse to pay you, for whatever reason, your procurement lawyer can help guide you through that situation. With your attorney, you can attempt to demand payment through negotiation. If there is a problem with your work or the contract, your lawyer can help you find potential solutions. If the case comes down to litigation or a trial, your attorney can represent your business.

Can My Procurement Lawyer Help Me Draft a Contract?

An experienced procurement attorney can help you during every step of the process for obtaining a government contract. They can help you with market research, legal compliance, determining fees for services, and preparing bids. When it comes time to draft a contract, your attorney can help you verify that the agreement is airtight and contains sufficient protection for both parties.

Can Government Entities Choose Contractors Based on Political Affiliation?

In Florida, government contracts cannot be awarded based on the business or business owner’s political affiliations or ideologies. This is specifically prohibited in Title 19, Chapter 287, Section 05701 of the Florida Statutes. The law also says that any solicitations for bids must include language notifying bidders of this policy.

Boca Raton Procurement Lawyer

If you are a business owner working toward getting a contract with a government entity, or if your business already has such a contract, it is advisable for you to obtain legal advice from an experienced and knowledgeable procurement lawyer. At the Law Offices of Gary A. Costales, P.A., we are ready to put our experience to work for you and your business. Contact us today to discuss your procurement law needs and let us help support the future success of your business.