Deputy Building Inspector

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance is soliciting Deputy Building Inspector (DBI) services through a competitive procurement process for state and local residential building program jurisdictions. The contract, effective from August 5, 2025, to June 30, 2030, seeks qualified professionals to conduct building inspections for one- and two-family homes. Successful contractors will be required to perform three types of inspections: footer/monolithic slab, rough-in, and final inspections, with strict timelines mandating completion within three working days of request (footer inspections within one working day). Inspections must adhere to minimum construction and safety standards established by the State Fire Marshal, ensuring comprehensive and compliant residential building oversight. Qualified contractors must demonstrate specific technical competencies, including residential building, mechanical, and plumbing inspector certifications from the State Fire Marshal, as well as a minimum of two years of full-time building construction or building codes inspection experience. The solicitation's response deadline is set for June 30, 2026, with contractors expected to maintain technological capabilities such as Wi-Fi and cellular phone access to support efficient inspection reporting and communication.

The procurement is exclusively open to professional corporations, with specific organizational and personnel qualifications that must be met. Contractors must possess a high school diploma or GED and maintain professional certifications from the State Fire Marshal. Compensation for Deputy Building Inspectors will be structured as a fee schedule directly tied to permit fees, with inspection rates ranging from $75 to $125 per inspection type, including additional fees for mechanical and plumbing inspections. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned, the solicitation emphasizes strict conflict of interest guidelines and ethical standards for potential contractors. The contract appears to have a significant potential value, given the comprehensive inspection requirements and multi-year term extending through June 30, 2030. Interested professional corporations must carefully review the full solicitation document to understand the complete range of technical, professional, and regulatory requirements for participation in this state-level building inspection contract opportunity.