The Cone of Silence (Sec. 2-166) is an important rule within the City of Riviera Beach’s ordinances to ensure fairness, transparency, and the integrity of the procurement process. 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 (in bold):
- 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 goal of the
Cone of Silence is to reduce the potential for undue influence during the procurement process, fostering a fair and transparent environment where decisions are made without external pressure or manipulation.
