P24001, HQS/NSPIRE Inspection Services

HomeFront, a public housing authority located in Billings, Montana, has issued Request for Proposals (RFP) No. P24001 for HQS/NSPIRE Inspection Services covering Gallatin County and surrounding areas. The procurement seeks a qualified contractor to conduct housing inspections for up to 1,400 Housing Voucher units within Billings and a 10-mile radius, with specific annual inspection requirements including 370 annual inspections, 18 no-show inspections, 122 initial inspections, 66 follow-up inspections, and 12 special inspections. Inspectors must be certified in HUD's HQS/NSPIRE-V standards and will transition to the new NSPIRE inspection protocol effective October 1, 2024. The proposal evaluation will be conducted on a "Best Value" basis, with 100 total possible points distributed across six factors: proposed costs (30 points), understanding of agency requirements (10 points), technical approach (10 points), technical capabilities (10 points), relevant experience and past performance (30 points), and overall proposal quality (10 points). The proposal response deadline is May 1, 2024, at 3:00 PM MT, with pricing to be submitted through BidNet Direct and a contract period of two 12-month terms with potential additional renewal options.

The RFP emphasizes compliance with federal regulations regarding supplier diversity and encourages participation of small, minority, and women-owned businesses. The agency specifically highlights Section 3 requirements, mandating that contractors provide employment and economic opportunities to low- and very low-income persons in the project area. Contractors must comply with HUD regulations in 24 CFR part 75, which includes notifying labor organizations about job opportunities and posting notices at work sites. The current incumbent for these inspection services is Action Remodeling & Home Inspections. While a specific contract value is not explicitly stated, the RFP indicates a requirements contract approach that does not guarantee minimum work volumes. Proposers must maintain multiple types of insurance, including general liability, professional liability, automobile liability, and worker's compensation, with specific minimum coverage amounts. The contract allows for potential participation by political subdivisions, giving flexibility for other jurisdictions to potentially join the awarded contract.