The Department of State, Division of Corporations, seeks to contract with a vendor to convert approximately 625,000, if not more, microfiche cards to a digital format by June 30, 2025. The Division stores over 2.5 million microfiche located at 2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810, Tallahassee, FL, 32303. The microfiche imaging conversion will allow the Division to permanently preserve essential public records and eliminate dependence on declining and antiquated microfiche reading, copying, and printing equipment. Microfiche records deteriorate over time and become illegible. Access to microfiche records is time consuming and records must be pulled, loaded, and copied into a microfilm reader or printer. Microfilm hardware and support are being phased out and the number of companies supporting microfilm readers, copiers, and printers have significantly declined. In addition, the cost to repair, support, or purchase microfilm equipment is no longer cost effective. Converting these records into electronic format will allow the Division to import these documents into its current electronic imaging system, provide free access to these records via its Sunbiz.org website, and permanently maintain records in accordance with Item Number 000243-0001a of the Department of State’s Retention Schedule.
