RFP REOPENED: PROPOSALS DUE JANUARY 11, 2008

Request for Proposal
Southwest Region Center
Florida Public Archaeology Network

The University of West Florida, FLORIDA PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGY NETWORK
(FPAN) has reissued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to host the Southwest
Region Center of the Network. The RFP is posted on
http://uwf.edu/procurement/Bids_Open/OpenBidsProposals.html . Proposals
are due January 11, 2008.

In 2004 the Florida Legislature established and in 2005 provided
continuing funding for the Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN)
through the University of West Florida (UWF). The Network is
administered by the University of West Florida through a memorandum of
agreement (MOA) between UWF and the Florida Division of Historical
Resources. Regional public archaeology centers will be established
throughout Florida to help stem the rapid deterioration of the state's
buried past and to expand public interest in archaeology. This will be
achieved by a robust program of public education, through the promotion
and development of archaeology-based heritage tourism, by active
involvement of the public through volunteerism, and through education
and outreach to local government officials, land managers, and others
whose actions affect the archaeological record. 

The FPAN Coordinating Center in Pensacola and Charter Regional Centers
at St. Augustine, hosted by Flagler College; Tampa, hosted by the
University of South Florida; Ft. Lauderdale, hosted by Florida Atlantic
University; Titusville, hosted by Brevard Community College; Crystal
River, hosted by the University of South Florida; and Pensacola,
operated by the University of West Florida have been established. The
host for the Southwest Region Center will be selected by the FPAN Board
of Directors from proposals received from institutions or organizations
willing to provide, at no cost, space for the center. In exchange, the
host institution will receive an annual contract from the University of
West Florida to provide for professional staff and operation of the
center. 

The University of Florida Museum of Natural History hosted the FPAN
Southwest Region Center at their Randell Research Center at Pineland
beginning in 2006. Because of their inability to provide the required
infrastructure, the Florida Museum of Natural History asked to terminate
their contract with UWF effective November 30, 2007. Requests for
Proposals are therefore sought for the Southwest Region Center serving
Charlotte, Lee, Glades, Hendry, and Collier Counties.

For more information about the Florida Public Archaeology Network and a
map showing regions of the Florida Public Archaeology Network is
available at http://www.flpublicarchaeology.org 

For more information, please contact Elaine Smith, Contracts Manager, at
850-474-2627, [log in to unmask] <mailto:etsmith%40uwf.edu> .