Cone of Silence

In order to promote fairness, transparency, and integrity in the competitive solicitation process, the City of Key West enforces a Cone of Silence in accordance with Section 2‑773 of the City of Key West Code of Ordinances.  For more detailed information, including the legal definitions and full procedural requirements, please click here to refer to Section 2‑773 of the City of Key West Code of Ordinances.

Once this solicitation (ITB, RFP, or RFQ) is advertised, a Cone of Silence prohibits certain communications between potential vendors and City officials, employees, or members of any evaluation or selection committee regarding this solicitation. 

What this means for vendors:

From the date this solicitation is issued until final contract award, all communications about this solicitation must be submitted in writing as provided in the solicitation documents.

You may not contact individual City staff, the City Commission, or members of the evaluation/selection committee to discuss the solicitation outside of the written process.

This restriction applies to discussions, questions, or attempts to influence the outcome of the procurement.

Communications regarding general procedural matters may be submitted in writing to the Procurement Division as noted in the solicitation instructions.

Prohibited communications include (but are not limited to):

Contact with the City's staff regarding the solicitation outside of the written procedures

Contact with City elected officials or their staff about the solicitation

Contact with members of any committee evaluating the responses or proposals 

Violation of the Cone of Silence may result in the disqualification of a proposal or other remedies permitted by City policy and ordinance.

For more information or specific questions about the Cone of Silence or permitted communications, please contact the Procurement Manager.