The Cone of Silence (Sec. 2-166) is an important rule within the City of Riviera Beach’s ordinances aimed at ensuring fairness, transparency, and the integrity of the procurement process. The Cone of Silence is applicable to all competitive solicitations. Here’s a summary and breakdown of its key components:
- Prohibition on Communication:
- Once a formal solicitation (like a request for proposals or bids) closes, communication—either oral or written—about the solicitation is strictly prohibited.
- Exceptions include:
- Pre-bid conferences,
- Oral presentations before selection committees,
- Contract negotiations, and
- Protest hearings.
- Timing:
- The cone of silence starts immediately after the solicitation deadline has passed.
- It remains in effect until one of the following occurs:
- The City awards the contract,
- The City rejects all bids or responses; or
- The City otherwise ends the solicitation process.
- Consequences of Violation :
- Any contract entered into in violation of the Cone of Silence provision is automatically invalid. This ensures that the integrity of the process is maintained
- Contact for Inquiries:
- For questions or communications regarding the solicitation, bidders should direct their inquiries only to the designated Procurement Contact or the Director/Assistant Director of Procurement.
The purpose of the Cone of Silence is to reduce the potential for undue influence during the procurement process, fostering a fair and transparent environment in which decisions are made without external pressure or manipulation.
