Fire Protection System Services

Hillsborough County Public Schools is requesting proposals for fire protection system services covering inspection, maintenance, and repair of pre-engineered, engineered CO2 automatic fire extinguisher systems, and sprinkler systems across all district facilities under RFP 26349-RFP-MST, with proposals due October 5, 2026, and a pre-proposal conference on September 8, 2026. A structural separation-of-duties requirement mandates that one vendor perform inspections while a separate vendor handles repairs; the current District Safety Office awarded vendor for inspection is ineligible to perform repairs on the same systems.

HCPS encourages utilization of HCPS Office of Supplier Development-certified small business enterprises; subcontractor use of certified vendors earns evaluation points based on the percentage of total contract dollars allocated to small business participation (10 percent of evaluation weight).

Contractors must demonstrate the ability to service the district's 235 schools while maintaining minimal operational disruption and comply with all HCPS procedures and policies. Proposers must provide at least three professional references from the previous three years, preferably school districts or Florida-based entities, and maintain current vendor registration with VendorLink. Pricing is submitted on a district-provided price sheet covering standard hours (estimated 478 hours annually, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday–Friday), overtime hours, additional items on a cost-plus-markup basis not exceeding 15 percent, and applicable discounts.

Evaluation is weighted as follows: Qualifications and Experience (30 percent), Specifications and Scope of Work (25 percent), Cost/Best Value (35 percent), and Small Business Enterprise utilization (10 percent). Contract performance must comply with the Jessica Lunsford Act background screening, E-Verify employment verification, and hazardous materials handling procedures established by the HCPS Safety Office. Proposers must execute affidavits certifying compliance with Florida Statute 287.138 (foreign country of concern restrictions) and Section 787.06(13) (labor coercion prohibition). Written questions are due September 21, 2026.