Engineering structures specialist - support fire rescue

Palm Beach County is requesting proposals for engineering consulting services to provide an Engineering Structures Specialist supporting the County's Fire Rescue Urban Search and Rescue deployments under RFP P-2025-000116R, with proposals due July 21, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. The County will select up to three firms on a continuing contract basis with task assignments determined case-by-case for structural integrity issues in emergency incidents. Proposers must hold CCNA certification from Palm Beach County's Engineering and Public Works Department prior to the proposal deadline and include all subconsultants in this certification requirement.

The scope includes structural components and building integrity assessments, structural triage for rescue operations, determination of shoring and securing needs for compromised structures, supervision of emergency shoring operations, and direction to emergency personnel regarding rigging and removal of structural components. An architectural or engineering firm must serve as the lead consultant. The designated Structures Specialist must hold a current Florida Professional Engineer's license, possess a minimum of five years' experience in structural design and analysis including evaluation of existing structures and field investigation, and obtain or possess FEMA Standard or Advanced Structures Specialist certification from the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System.

Study activity costs for each project assignment will not exceed $500,000. The contract term is three years with two optional one-year renewals. The County will reimburse at standard FEMA rates for Structure Specialists. Selected consultants must maintain professional liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. The contract will be funded in whole or in part with federal funds from sources including the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration, HUD Community Development Block Grant Program, DHS/FEMA Public Assistance Program, U.S. Department of the Treasury, or other federal agencies.

Evaluation criteria on shortlist are ability and past performance (50 points), approach and understanding (20 points), and years of experience beyond the five-year minimum (15 points); final selection weights ability and past performance (40 points) and approach and understanding (40 points), with experience remaining 15 points. A non-mandatory pre-proposal conference is scheduled for June 23, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. at 2633 Vista Parkway, West Palm Beach.