Engineering structures specialist - support fire rescue

Palm Beach County's Facilities Development & Operations Department issued an RFP (P-2025-000116R) for Engineering Structures Specialist consulting services to support its Fire Rescue Urban Search and Rescue program, with proposals due July 21, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. — but a Cancellation Notice posted June 19, 2026 terminated this solicitation prior to award.

The original scope called for task-assignment-based structural engineering services on a case-by-case basis, including structural evaluation and emergency shoring operations in response to man-made and natural disasters. Services encompassed structural components and building-integrity assessments, structural triage for rescue purposes, shoring-need determination, supervision of emergency shoring operations, and direction to personnel on structural component removal and rigging. Up to three firms would have been selected under a three-year base contract with two optional one-year renewal periods.

The Structures Specialist was required to hold a current Florida Professional Engineer's license and possess a minimum of five years' experience in structural design and analysis, including evaluation of existing structures and field investigation. FEMA Standard or Advanced Structures Specialist certification was required to be obtained or initiated within 24 months. All proposing firms were required to be CCNA certified by Palm Beach County's Engineering and Public Works Department prior to the proposal due date. Professional liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 per aggregate was mandatory, and the selected consultant had to execute the County's Affiliated Personnel Agreement without modification.

Study activity costs for each task assignment were capped at $500,000 and funded wholly or in part with federal funds from U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration, HUD Community Development Block Grants, DHS/FEMA, U.S. Department of Treasury, or other federal agencies. A non-mandatory pre-proposal conference was scheduled for June 23, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. at 2633 Vista Parkway, West Palm Beach. Evaluation weighted firm and specialist ability, knowledge, and past performance (40 points final selection / 50 shortlist), project approach and understanding (40 / 20), and experience exceeding five years (15 / 15).