Building Permit Plan Review Services

The Commissioners of Charles County, Maryland, are seeking proposals for Building Permit Plan Review Services through Request for Proposals #25-022, targeting qualified firms to conduct comprehensive building code compliance reviews for residential and commercial building permits. The procurement requires electronic plan reviews for various permit types, including single-family dwellings, multi-family residences, townhouses, commercial buildings, additions, alterations, and change of occupancy permits. Contractors must provide personnel with specific qualifications, including International Code Council (ICC) Plan Review Certification, Residential Plan Review Certificate, and a minimum of three years' architectural or building plan review experience. The scope requires reviewers to thoroughly examine construction plans, assign appropriate inspections, and enter review results into the electronic permitting system within strict timelines: 5 business days for residential permits, 6 days for change of occupancy initial reviews, and 14 business days for commercial permits. Evaluation will be conducted using a 100-point system, allocating points across project understanding (10 points), staff experience and qualifications (35 points), firm experience (15 points), and pricing (40 points). The contract's base period will run from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028, with two optional 1-year renewals at the county's discretion, and proposals are to be submitted through the county's eProcurement Portal.

The solicitation includes significant restrictions on potential bidders to prevent conflicts of interest, explicitly prohibiting firms that have submitted over an average of five plan review requests per year in the past three years or have regular business relationships with local builders and developers. Contractors are further restricted from performing reviews for builders or properties where they have a financial interest, competing business activities, or familial connections. The county will provide four EnerGov licenses and county ordinances, while the contractor must supply Bluebeam Revu Software, computers, and a static IP address for each plan reviewer. Comprehensive insurance requirements are mandated, including commercial automobile, workers' compensation, general liability, professional liability, and other specialized insurances with specific minimum coverage amounts. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the solicitation indicates varying permit volumes, estimating between 5 multi-family dwelling permits to 400 single-family dwelling permits annually. The contract emphasizes professional service standards, requiring effective communication with the public, contractors, and county staff, with provisions for monthly invoicing and potential penalties for late or failed reviews.