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“The subject RFP is for the design build of a $40 million complex project; as such, the RFP required bidders to
demonstrate evidence of completed projects of “similar Scope and Size”. The evidence that the recommended bidder demonstrated consists of only 4 projects, ranging in size from $2 million to $15.6 million, well below this proposed project of $40 million. Compare this with the lowest bidder’s (MCM) list of multiple projects, which include 2 design build projects along with other projects, one for over $50 million and another for over $150 million.
“The State of Florida and the affected County governments provide an important part
of the SFRTA funding. There has been much debate over the years about how the SFRTA can best be operated and administered to ensure optimum protection of the taxpayer investment in the SFRTA and its critical mission. As watchdogs of public tax dollars, elected officials need to have a level of confidence that the SFRTA is well run and that the awarding of discretionary contracts, such as this $40 million project, are carried out with the highest degree of integrity, professionalism, fairness and in a way that protects the public interest.
“We urge your attention to the matters addressed herein and suggest that at a minimum you have the Evaluation Committee reconsider and issue reasoned rankings, after having verified the facts and heard oral presentations by the bidders.
“Thank you for your consideration of this request.
One can’t help but wonder how many times Sen. Flores has gone out of her way to 
write such a nice letter for a construction company in a bid dispute. And if it has anything to do with the thousands of dollars that MCM contributes to her campaign and her PACs and her own rumored ambitions to run for the county commission seat that will eventually be vacated by Commissioner Javier Souto.
The insiders at Gulf Building may have also noticed how, um, insistent Flores is on the matter, and William Sherer immediately wrote a cease and desist type letter back to the 305 legislators, who he accused of “a conspiracy to defame” his firm while lobbying improperly for the competition. Scherer’s letters Thursday — he also wrote one to Munilla advising him of the intention to sue — were published entirely by The Miami Herald.
“My firm represents Gulf Building LLC, the winning bidder in the above referenced RFP. We have been provided with a copy of your letter of December 1, 2014 to the SFRTA board members. Attached hereto is a copy of our letter to Mr. Munilla of MCM advising him that we are going to be seeking damages against MCM and him for defamation per se toward
“Your letter now implicates each of you in a conspiracy to defame Gulf Building. Your actions are clearly as lobbyists for MCM in an effort to support MCM’s bid. You have made defamatory statements against Gulf Building that you could possibly not have verified for their truthfulness before sending your letter. This malicious lobbying behavior in the guise of your elected official capacity makes you personally liable as co-conspirators.
“Also, your communications are in violation of the cone of silence and are in violation of Florida’s laws related to improper communications in a public bidding process. Your violation of these laws will also be pursued as part of the damages claims against you and MCM for conspiracy to defame.”
“Withdraw your letters immediately. Govern yourself accordingly.”
In a written statement of response, Diaz told the Herald’s Marc Caputo that “that letter is ludicrous. I’m not lobbying for anyone. I don’t even know any of the parties involved but I strongly believe the board should guard taxpayer dollars.”
It will be interesting to see what happens at the regional authority meeting Friday. Especially since MCM has made a habit of bid protests that get them government reversals on juicy contracts.
Maybe bid protests have just become an expected and planned-for step in the process.
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Pot calls kettle black in Tri-Rail bid protest by MCM’s Munilla added by Ladra on
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Another thought that would make a true transparent disclosure is for elected officials to openly report which of their family members work for the government. As an example, Gimenez tries to come off as a guardian of taxpayers money when his entire household has been support and continues to be supported by taxpayers money. His wife’s salary=tax dollars. Carlos Gimenez entire career, even in multiple positions= tax dollars. Both their pensions = tax dollars. Their health insurance paid for for life for both of them = tax dollars.
Most, if not all, of our elected officials enter government to enrich themselves and or family members by getting them cushy jobs. Let’s make that a mandatory disclosure. Just like Manny Marono had his family, mother, wife, uncles, cousins and their respective employed by the city of sweetwater.
one of the absolute best articles among the numerous top quality articles you pen Ladra. it would be incredibly wonderful to understand and know how many relatives (by marriage or otherwise) do lobbyists or companies are connected to Gimenez. llorente, etc. lets start to connect the dots. it would be th greatest exosure of Gimenez, who is in most corrupt policitcan, not yet arrested, Miami-Dade has ever known.maybe the public can help.
Local corruptor meets state corruptor! MCM and the Munilla brothers, long time beneficiaries of every major construction contract in this county cry foul when overtaken by a bigger fish. Don’t worry Muni, soon enough you will get your hands on the FIU construction contract, after all those contributions of $25K a piece to the FIU PAC that sponsored it will get you far. AND OF COURSE YOU WOULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN IT HAD AL LORENZO NOT BEEN SNUCK IN THE BACK DOOR AS AN FIU REGENT AND RAFAEL GARCIA TOLEDO NOT HAVE BEEN MADE A BOARD MEMBER OF THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY YOUTH FAIR, INC. As far as the ladies pictured here, we are glad they have an inside track on those private conversations as well. In federal prison, the preferred color is orange so enjoy those gala dresses for now girls.