Inspection & Assessment Services Contractors for Elevate Florida

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is seeking to establish a pool of qualified contractors to provide comprehensive Inspection and Assessment services for the statewide residential mitigation grant program, Elevate Florida. The procurement focuses on professional services across Florida's 67 counties, targeting residential projects including structure elevation, mitigation reconstruction, acquisition-demolition, and wind retrofits. Contractors will be responsible for completing structural integrity assessments, geotechnical reports, elevation certificates, construction inspections, and demolition inspections, adhering to specific codes and standards such as the Florida Building Code, ASCE 24, and FEMA guidelines. The solicitation (RFP-DEM-24-25-017) requires contractors to maintain proper licensure, pass level 2 background screenings, and use E-Verify for employment eligibility. Proposal evaluation will be comprehensive, with a total possible score of 100 points: 75 points allocated to technical proposal elements (including relevant experience, capability, and technical methodology) and 25 points for price proposal. Key dates include proposal submissions due by 3:00 PM on March 31, 2025, with a Notice of Intent to Award anticipated on April 14, 2025, and an initial contract term running through December 31, 2027.

The procurement appears open to various contractors, with potential opportunities for diverse businesses. While specific set-aside designations are not explicitly outlined, the solicitation includes a subcontractor form that allows vendors to identify Certified Minority Business Enterprises (CMBE) and Women-Owned Businesses (WBE), suggesting an interest in diverse participation. Contractors will be compensated through a Contractual Service Agreement, with payments based on completed inspections and assessments meeting specific deliverables and milestones. Financial penalties of $100 per day will be imposed for missed timelines, and contractors must maintain liability insurance with minimum coverage of $150,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, and $150,000 for property damage. The program has a targeted completion date of December 2026 and anticipates assigning work across different Florida regions based on contractor preferences and agency needs. While a specific total contract value is not disclosed, the program will be funded through federal FEMA mitigation grant programs, with potential cost-share requirements for property owners.