Fire Rescue Assessment Feasibility Study

Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, through its Procurement Department on behalf of the Fire Rescue Department, is soliciting proposals under RFP 27-006/RC for a Fire Rescue Assessment Feasibility Study, due December 16, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. local time. Small Business Enterprise participation (15 points) and a Business Location/Local Preference (5 points) are scored evaluation factors, not set-asides. Small Business Development Program requirements apply to the non-federally funded portions, and subcontractor participation requires Schedules 1 and 2, governed by instructions issued under Emergency Ordinance 2025-014.

The study must determine the legal, financial, operational, and administrative feasibility of implementing a Fire Protection Assessment for eligible Fire Protection services. Required components include financial modeling, parcel and GIS analysis, benefit and apportionment methodologies, legal and administrative considerations, intergovernmental coordination, and an implementation roadmap. Proposers must show at least five years of experience in fire rescue funding studies, special assessments, municipal finance, cost allocation, or local government financial planning, plus at least three similar engagements within the past ten years. Proposers must register in the County's Vendor Self Service system, and criminal history record checks apply to unescorted access to designated critical facilities. Insurance minimums are $500,000 commercial general liability, $500,000 business auto liability, workers' compensation under Florida Statute Chapter 440, and professional liability of $2,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate.

The contract runs 24 months from February 1, 2027 through January 31, 2029, with three optional twelve-month renewals at the County's sole discretion. Submissions require one unbound original, six bound copies, and one electronic PDF copy, delivered to the Procurement Department at 50 South Military Trail, Suite 110, West Palm Beach, Florida.

Evaluation weights are Project Approach/Understanding (25 points), Experience/Qualifications (20 points), Key Personnel and Operations (20 points), Price Proposal (15 points), Small Business Enterprise participation (15 points), and Business Location/Local Preference (5 points). The Selection Committee meets December 29, 2026, the Notice of Intent to Award is anticipated January 14, 2027, and oral presentations, if held, are slated for January 7, 2027.