Pinellas_County_RFI_Drone_Damage_Assessment_FINAL.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Post-Hurricane Damage Assessment Using Drone Technology and Aerial Data Analytics

1. Purpose of the RFI Pinellas County Government is seeking information from qualified vendors that offer drone-based technology and professional services for conducting post-hurricane (or other natural disaster) damage assessments, particularly in areas impacted by high winds, storm surge, and flooding.

The County is exploring advanced aerial surveillance methods to expedite and enhance structural damage inspections, including identification of high water marks, debris mapping, structural compromise, and flood extent analysis.

This RFI is intended to gather information on capabilities, technologies, data collection standards, and operational methodologies that can support Pinellas County's emergency management, building inspections, and property assessment functions following a declared disaster event.

This is not a solicitation for bids or proposals and no contract will be awarded directly from this RFI. Responses may be used to inform a future procurement process.

2. Background Pinellas County is located on the west central coast of Florida and is highly susceptible to tropical storms and hurricanes. Post-disaster assessments are critical for:

· Rapid determination of disaster severity

· Eligibility for federal disaster aid (e.g., FEMA Public Assistance, Individual Assistance)

· Property insurance and tax assessment adjustments

· Infrastructure restoration planning Current post-disaster workflows are largely manual, time-consuming, and can be hindered by unsafe or inaccessible conditions. The County seeks to supplement these efforts with aerial drone technology and AI-driven data analysis tools.

3. Information Requested The County invites responses that include details on the following capabilities and services:

A. Drone and Sensor Capabilities Types of drones (fixed-wing, rotary, VTOL, etc.) used for damage assessment Payloads and sensors (e.g., high-resolution RGB, LiDAR, thermal, multispectral) Ability to identify:

- High water marks on buildings and property features

- Roof and structural damage

- Debris fields and blocked access routes

- Erosion and flood extent FAA certifications and compliance (Part 107, waivers, airspace authorization processes) B. Data Collection and Processing Flight planning and area coverage capabilities (e.g., square miles per day) Timeframe from deployment to delivery of usable data for substantial damage determinations Data processing methods, including AI/ML applications for automated damage classification Integration with GIS platforms (e.g., Esri ArcGIS) C. Substantial Damage Methodology for Assisting Floodplain Administrator Determination A detailed step-by-step process for determining the degree of exterior damage to a structure.

Use of remote sensing indicators such as:

- High water marks on structure exteriors

- Structural deformation

- Wall and roof compromise

- Foundation displacement Methods for correlating visual and structural damage indicators with pre-event condition data How outputs are validated or calibrated (e.g., historical assessments, field checks, ML accuracy metrics) Output formats usable by local Floodplain Administrators and Building Officials D. Deliverables and Reporting Types of data products provided (orthomosaics, 3D models, heatmaps, geo-tagged imagery) Ability to compare pre- and post-event imagery Support for FEMA damage assessment criteria and formats Secure data storage and access portals for county staff and emergency teams E. Personnel and Professional Services Team structure and relevant experience Past deployments in post-hurricane or large-scale disaster scenarios Capacity for rapid mobilization in the immediate aftermath of a storm Training or technical support services for county personnel F. Pricing Information Typical cost structures (e.g., per flight hour, per square mile, per incident) Optional subscription or retainer-based service models Availability of cooperative purchasing agreements or pre-negotiated state contracts G. References and Case Studies Examples of previous work with government agencies in similar use cases Demonstrated success in identifying high water marks and structural damage via drone data Contact information for references (if available)