State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Inspection Services

Highlands County Board of County Commissioners is requesting proposals for State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) inspection services, with proposals due May 26, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. and an RFI deadline of May 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. A 5-point local-preference scoring advantage applies to vendors with a physical location in Highlands County for at least twelve months prior to RFP issuance and employing at least one full-time or two part-time local employees; an additional 5 points are available for Women/Minority Business Enterprise certification.

Proposers must be licensed Florida Home Inspectors with current credentials from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, registered to conduct business in Florida, and in operation under the same business name or EIN for a minimum of three years. The scope covers initial, intermediate, and final inspections of owner-occupied residential properties, with each inspection type requiring detailed documentation, cost estimates, photographic evidence, and homeowner signatures. Pricing must be submitted as an all-inclusive per-project fee for each inspection type.

The initial contract term is three years from Board approval, with options to renew for two additional one-year terms. Contractors awarded under this solicitation are prohibited from bidding on rehabilitation and new construction projects while under contract. Proposers must maintain comprehensive general liability insurance ($1 million per occurrence), commercial automobile liability ($1 million), workers' compensation, and professional liability insurance ($2 million per occurrence).

Evaluation criteria are project approach (35 points), qualifications and personnel availability (30 points), references (10 points), pricing (15 points), local preference (5 points), and WBE/MBE certification (5 points). The County anticipates proposal reviews by June 10, 2026, with potential interviews on June 17 and anticipated award on June 24, 2026. Prices remain firm for the initial contract term; price adjustments require thirty days' notice prior to each anniversary date with documented justification.