RFP 19-01 Investment Management Services Selection

South Florida State College Foundation, Inc. (Foundation) solicited proposals to secure a contract for Investment Management Services. The Foundation seeks an experienced firm to provide advisory counsel and investment management services for a portfolio currently valued at approximately $12 million.

During the solicitation process for this RFP, all official communication between the Foundation and offering firms will be via postings on the South Florida State College Purchasing website at: https://www.sfsc.edu/about/purchasing/current-bids/. Notices may include, but are not limited to, any modifications to administrative or performance requirements, addendums or revisions to any part of the RFP, answers to inquiries received, clarifications to requirements, and the announcement of the winning proposal. Proposing firms must carefully and regularly monitor the Purchasing website for any such postings.

RFP 19-01 – Investment Management Services
Addendum #1 RFP 19-01
RFP 19-01 Inquiries
RFP 19-01 Investment Management Services Finalists
RFP 19-01 Items for Discussion at Presentation
RFP 19-01 Investment Management Services Selection

The District Board of Trustees of South Florida State College, Florida, hereinafter referred to as ‘College’ is requesting proposals from qualified access control contractors, to provide a complete electronic door access control system on building perimeter doors. Work includes the furnishing and installation of all equipment, materials, labor, and tools required for system installation, and a final terminations and system commissioning performed by a factory certified technician. In addition provide training to staff in the operation of IP Access Control door/entry points in order to control and monitor the flow of people throughout the SFSC District campus locations.

The Locations of South Florida State College

Highlands Campus	DeSoto Campus	Hardee Campus	Lake Placid Center
600 West College Drive Avon Park, FL 33825 863-453-6661	2251 N.E. Turner Ave. Arcadia, FL 34266 863-993-1757	2968 U.S. 17 South Bowling Green, FL 33834 863-773-3081	500 E. Interlake Blvd. Lake Placid, FL 33852 863-453-3003

A Mandatory pre-proposal meeting was held January 3, 2018 at the Highlands Campus, Building F, Conference Room F118, 600 W. College Dr., Avon Park, FL  33825 at 10:00am. 

RFP 18-03 Campus-Wide Access Control
Attachment A – Price Proposal
Attachment B – General Background Info – Authorized Signatory
Attachment C – Litigation
Attachment D – Addenda Acknowledgment
Attachment E_E-Verify Attestation Form
Attachment F – Campus Door Schedule
Attachment F – Revised RFP 18-03
Addendum #1 RFP 18-03
Addendum #2 RFP 18-03
Addendum #3 RFP 18-03
Addendum #4 RFP 18-03
Addendum #5 RFP 18-03
Questions from RFP 18-03 Mandatory Meeting
Final Questions from 1-14 thru 1-24
Notice of Intent to Recommend Award

AVON PARK, Fla. – Aug. 28, 2019 – The South Florida State College (SFSC) Museum of Florida Art and Culture (MOFAC) is offering a Gourd Artistry Workshop with Jacqueline Andrews on Saturday, Oct. 12, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., in the Art Department, Room A-15, SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park.

During the workshop, participants will learn the history of gourd decoration and make their own fall-themed gourd oil lamps. All materials will be provided for the class, including wood burning kits, paint markers, and alcohol ink. Participants who have their own wood burning kits are welcome to bring them. Participants may bring their own lunch or purchase lunch off-campus. The cost of the workshop is $40. The size of the workshop is limited to 10 students. To register for the workshop, contact Megan Stepe, MOFAC curator, by emailing stepem@southflorida.edu or calling 863-784-7240.

Instructor Jacqueline Andrews is a self-taught gourd artisan. The gourds she uses in her work mainly come from the American Southwest, where the climate is optimal for their growth. They produce hard and thick shells, which are perfect for wood burning and carving. Inks, dyes, paints, and stains are also used to add color and dimension to the design.

A long-time Sebring resident, Andrews has served as president of the Highlands Art League several times. She is a member of and a certified judge for the American Gourd Society, a member of the Florida Gourd Society, and an adjunct instructor at SFSC. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rippon College in Ripon, Wisc.

AVON PARK, Fla. – Aug. 27, 2019 – The South Florida State College (SFSC) Museum of Florida Art and Culture (MOFAC) announces its 2019-20 season of exhibitions and programs.

MOFAC, in addition to its permanent collection of contemporary Florida regional art, provides an exhibition venue for established and emerging regional artists and preserves Florida’s history and heritage through art. The Museum also features artifacts and historical replicas from archeological sites, such as Blueberry and the Goudnow Mound as well as other sites throughout Florida.

MOFAC is located adjacent to the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts, SFSC Highlands Campus, 600 W. College Dr., Avon Park. The Museum is open to the public Oct. 2 – May 6. Visitors can visit the museum on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 12:30 – 4:30 p.m., or by appointment for group tours. Admission is free. Patrons of the Wildstein Center may visit the Museum one hour prior to matinee and evening performances.

For more information about SFSC MOFAC and its programs or to request a museum tour, contact Megan Stepe, curator of MOFAC, at 863-784-7240 or email stepem@southflorida.edu. Visit the MOFAC website at mofac.org.

MOFAC 2019-20 Exhibition Season

“The Stories Within: Alvaro Labanino and Miguel Saludes” will be on display Oct. 2-Nov. 20, with an opening reception on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. at MOFAC. The exhibition features paintings that evoke the life experiences and collaborations of two life-long friends who continually seek to represent their memories in reciprocally inspiring and inventive ways.

“Relics, Reliquaries, and Objects of Desire” can be seen Dec. 4 – Jan. 28, with an opening reception to be held on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020 at 1 p.m. at MOFAC. Various artists consider the function, symbolism, power, and relevance of relics — cherished objects of sentimental, religious, historical, or political value via an interdisciplinary and multimedia exhibition.

“Breaking Free. Dark Matter, Dark Energy: Paintings by Margaret Schnebly Hodge” will be on exhibition Feb. 5 – March 26, with an opening reception to be held Thursday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. at MOFAC. The large-scale works depict the beauty and mutable energy of our universe. They are inspired by images from the Hubble telescope and other advanced space telescopes.

The SFSC annual Juried Student Art Show will be held April 8 – May 6, with an opening reception and award ceremony held on Thursday, April 16, 5 – 7 p.m. at MOFAC. The annual exhibition features outstanding artistic achievements from the academic year. On display are selected works created by SFSC art students and include mediums such as painting, drawing, ceramics, photography, and sculpture. Students co-organize the exhibition and assist with the framing, installation, and promotion of their work.

Lobby Gallery Exhibits and Workshops

MOFAC invites the public to a series of special exhibits and programs throughout the year.

Richard Thomas Reep presents artwork that uses concrete as a sculptural medium to express feelings about contemporary society and our built environment. Reep’s work will be on display Sept. 19 – Jan. 23 in the Lobby Gallery of the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. in MOFAC.

Robert “Bobby” Tally will display touchable 3D works, allowing people both with and without sight to experience and enjoy each scene with their fingers from Jan. 24 – May 7, in the Lobby Gallery of the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts. An opening reception will be held Thursday, Feb. 13, 1 p.m. in MOFAC.

A workshop, “Gourd Artistry featuring Oil Lamps with Jacqueline Andrews,” will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., in the Art Department, Room A-15, on the SFSC Highlands Campus. This workshop will include a presentation on the history of gourd decoration, demos, and a hands-on project designing a fall-themed gourd oil lamp. The cost of the workshop is $40.

A workshop, “Bead Embroidery with Claire Miller,” will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1, in the Art Department, Room A-15, on the SFSC Highlands Campus. Learn the basics of bead embroidery and create your own work of art using found objects. The cost of the workshop is $25.

To reserve your spot for either of the workshops, contact Stepe at 863-784-7240 or email stepem@southflorida.edu.

Avon Park, Fla. – Aug. 27, 2019 – South Florida State College (SFSC) has added an Associate in Science (A.S.) in Health Services Management and a Health Care Services Certificate to its Division of Health Sciences.

Both the 60 credit-hour A.S. in Health Services Management and the 32-hour Health Care Services College Credit Certificate are new to the tri-county region and are offered completely online. The certificate is strategically aligned with the degree so that students can seamlessly transition on a pathway from one to the other.

“We are extremely excited to offer a new degree and certificate program for students interested in a career in health care,” said Michele Heston, Ph.D., RN, CNE, dean of health sciences at SFSC. “The degree will also provide an enhanced skill set for those already working in a health care environment. The program will prepare students for employment as health service managers or administrators. Jobs in health care are in high demand and these new programs will serve to meet that demand in our community.”

The new programs will give students the business and health care-focused education they need to acquire positions in physicians’ offices, hospitals, health care agencies, health insurance companies, and nursing homes and residential centers. With the programs offered conveniently online, students can take classes such as: Anatomy & Physiology; Medical Terminology; Health Law Concepts and Practices; General Pharmacology; Interprofessional Team-Based Health Care; Electronic Medical Record Systems; Quality and Performance Improvement; and Current Issues in Health.

For more information about the A.S. in Health Services Management and/or the Certificate in Health Care Services, contact Health Sciences at SFSC by calling 863-784-7027 or emailing healthsciences@southflorida.edu.

AVON PARK, Fla. – Aug. 26, 2019 – The Museum of Florida Art and Culture (MOFAC) at South Florida State College (SFSC) is looking for volunteer docents. Anyone who has an interest in Florida history, art, or archeology is invited to attend a luncheon that will introduce volunteers to the role docents play at MOFAC and how they can contribute their time.

The luncheon will be held Friday, Sept. 13, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., in the lobby of the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the College’s Highlands Campus in Avon Park.

A docent serves as a guide to visitors, helping them understand and better appreciate the art and relics on exhibit at the museum. Docents do not need to have in-depth knowledge of MOFAC’s collection. The museum will orient docents on the collection and provide training workshops. Docents, typically, volunteer one hour or more a week during regular museum hours. MOFAC is a cultural program of SFSC.

“Our docents provide an interesting, entertaining, and educational aspect to the viewing experience,” said Megan Stepe, MOFAC’s curator. “They are an integral part of MOFAC and we rely on them to enrich our visitors’ interaction with the collection.”

Those who have volunteered as MOFAC docents in prior years are also invited to the luncheon.

RSVP to Stepe by email at stepem@southflorida.edu or call her at 863-784-7240.

AVON PARK, Fla. – Aug. 20, 2019 – The South Florida State College (SFSC) Criminal Justice Academy (CJA) is offering a Concealed Weapons Permit course. This course is required to carry a concealed weapon in Florida. Topics to be covered include Florida statutes, use of deadly force, carry restrictions, and live-fire exercises. Everything for the course will be provided. The course is offered Saturday, Sept. 21, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The cost is $55 and the course number (CRN) is 11241.

Register at any SFSC campus or center; pre-registration is required. For information, contact the Criminal Justice Academy at 863-784-7285 or visit southflorida.edu/publicsafety.

AVON PARK, Fla. – Aug. 16, 2019 – Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman and South Florida State College (SFSC) President Dr. Thomas C. Leitzel welcomed the Public Safety Communicator (PSC) students at SFSC on the opening day of the program —Tuesday, Aug. 13.

Through a partnership between the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office and SFSC, the PSC or 911 Emergency Dispatcher program was developed to address the shortage of dispatchers throughout the district. PSC’s receive emergency and non-emergency requests for assistance from citizens and relay them to law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency medical services and then dispatch assistance as appropriate.

Addressing the students, Sheriff Blackman said, “Several of you are looking at this as a starting point toward a career with the Sheriff’s Office or another agency. You have every opportunity here. Dr. Leitzel allowed us to start this program at SFSC because our office has a severe need for telecommunicators. We saw this as an avenue to get to young people who didn’t necessarily want to go to college, but wanted to stay in Highlands County and start a career that means something.”

Dr. Leitzel called the first day of the PSC program a “Red Letter Day.” “It’s one of those outstanding days at the College that we want to share with the world,” he said. “SFSC and the Sheriff’s Office have a great partnership. I’m thrilled with all the wonderful things we do together.”

Shane Smith, a 911 PST training coordinator with the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, is lead instructor of the 232-hour program at SFSC. Upon completion of the PSC program, students earn a Career Certificate and will have met the educational requirements for Florida Department of Health 911 Emergency Dispatcher Certification. A state examination is required for certification.

“To be a telecommunicator is an integral part in law enforcement and, basically, the first responders,” said John Barcinas, Highlands County Sheriff’s Department operations captain. “We need these individuals to receive the call and dispatch information to the fire department, EMS, or law enforcement. At this point, we’re in need of telecommunicators.”

For more information about the PSC program, contact Michael Austin, criminal justice programs coordinator, at 863-784-7282 or email Michael.Austin@southflorida.edu.

AVON PARK, Fla. – Aug. 7, 2019 – South Florida State College (SFSC) honored 29 graduates of its practical nursing program at a pinning ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 1 in the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts in Avon Park.

Pinning ceremonies recognize nursing graduates for their accomplishments, emphasize their responsibilities as health care providers, and officially welcome them into the nursing profession. Having earned their occupational certificates in practical nursing, the graduates are now eligible to take the National Council for Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-PN) and apply for practical nursing licenses from the Florida Board of Nursing.

The 2019 practical graduates are Ana Avila, Cassidy Beers, Jessica Boatwright, Evelia Cabrera, Crystal Carpenter, Kevin Coleman, Candace Dean, Megan DelPrete, Anquenette Evans, Xenia Gardner, Kyle Jahna, John Jimenez, Leydi Lopez, Julia Mack, Robert Mathews Jr., Erin McGlinchey, Danielle Minnick, Enma Miranda, Dominique Morales, Grant Morris, Jessica Morris, Israel Munoz, Heidi Palacios, Mary Reyes, Jennifer Salgado, Dianna Salinas, Terrion Salmon Worrell, Morgan Walters, and Amy Ward.

On behalf of the College, Dr. Sidney Valentine, vice president for academic affairs and student services, congratulated the graduates and spoke about inspirational six-word stories that Ernest Hemingway created as a challenging and expressive movement to tell a story in only six words. “When you look back on how it all started, I hope your six-word story is: The day I became a nurse.”

Nursing instructor and keynote speaker Sharmin Jones is no stranger to the SFSC stage. She was the commencement speaker when she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the College. On Thursday, she told a story about her late grandmother who motivated her to continue her education and become a nurse. She told the graduates, “There are many times you want to give up. We hit rock bottom and suffer in our lives, but that’s more reason to keep on in your life. Don’t let anyone or anything get in your way. Education will give you more opportunities for higher paying jobs.”

Jones has been a nurse for 18 years and before she became an integral member of the SFSC Nursing Education team, she served as director of medical-surgical units for AdventHealth Sebring.

Class president Jessica Morris of Hardee County spoke to her fellow graduates about their training within the PN program and the focus on caring when she said, “The most important lesson was compassion. Not only for patients, but each other.” She also spoke about their combined purpose by saying, “If one life breathes easier because you have led, then it was all worth it.” To conclude, she ended her address with a celebratory, “We did it y’all,” which was validated by hearty applause.

Graduates received their pins from a person of their choice, such as family members and friends. The ceremony concluded with the new nurses lighting candles to symbolize the impact they will make on the world and then reciting the Nightingale Pledge of nursing ethics, named after Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

Avon Park, Fla. – August 1, 2019 – South Florida State College (SFSC) will welcome author Andy Masters and Dr. Catharine D. Almquist at its annual Convocation on Monday, Aug. 12. Masters will present “Focus on Today’s Students.” Dr. Almquist will speak about “Determining the QEP: Preparing for the SACSCOC Reaffirmation,” in reference to SFSC’s required special project as part of its upcoming 10-year reaffirmation for accreditation.

Masters is an award-winning author and international speaker whose focus is on igniting a cultural transformation to cultivate and empower future leaders to improve performance, advance business growth, and transform the customer experience. He has written five books, including “Things Leaders Say: A Daily Guide to Help Every Leader Empower and Inspire.” He has been featured on LifeTime Television, PBS, Investor’s Business Daily, and in Leadership Excellence magazine. Based in Orlando, Fla., he served as the 2018-19 president of the National Speakers Association-Central Florida Chapter. Masters has worked for two high-profile performance improvement and marketing service firms for clients such as Lexus, Honda, and Anheuser Busch.

Dr. Almquist is the vice president for academic affairs with Trident Technical College in Charleston, S.C. In her role at the college, she is responsible for overseeing all aspects of instruction, curriculum development and learning support for the college, which has an enrollment of over 13,000 students. She earned her Doctor of Management in Community College Policy and Administration from the University of Maryland, her Master of Science in Immunobiology from Iowa State University, and her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the College of Charleston.

With Convocation kicking off the 2019-20 academic year, SFSC employees will enjoy Master’s and Dr. Almquist’s presentations, along with departmental meetings, training, and staff awards.

The fall term begins on Friday, Aug. 16 and registration is still open. Visit southflorida.edu for more information.