Need a It / Networking Contract in Florida? AroundWire Can Help

In Florida, IT/Networking service contracts—whether with public agencies or private entities—are shaped by a combination of state procurement statutes, data security regulations, and industry-specific standards. For public sector contracts, adherence to Florida Statutes Chapter 287 (Procurement of Personal Property and Services) is mandatory, including competitive bidding and minority business enterprise participation requirements. Vendors may need to register with the state’s MyFloridaMarketPlace system. Information security is a central concern; compliance with Florida Information Protection Act (FIPA) and, for certain contracts, federal NIST standards is often stipulated, especially for handling sensitive or personal data. Contractors must typically maintain active business licenses; relevant IT certifications (such as Cisco, CompTIA, or Microsoft) may be required or increase competitiveness. Insurance obligations commonly include general liability, professional liability (errors and omissions), and cyber liability coverage, with minimum coverage levels specified in the solicitation. Risk factors include data breaches, service outages, and compliance failures, with contracts often including specific indemnification and limitation of liability clauses. Payment terms for public contracts are governed by the Florida Prompt Payment Act, generally requiring payment within 30 days of invoice approval. Dispute resolution frequently favors negotiation and mediation before litigation, as encouraged by state contracting norms. Overall, Florida IT/Networking contracts are detailed, compliance-driven, and place significant emphasis on data protection and contractor qualifications.