< Back to Contractor Registration Form

Authorized Home Improvement Construction Contractors – Request for Qualifications 2223-01

1. Purpose

The Department of Financial Services (Department) issues this Request for Qualifications (Request) to develop a list of qualified contractors to perform authorized home hardening activities as part of the My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) Program initiative as outlined in section 215.5586, Florida Statutes (F.S.).  The Department seeks responses to this Request (Responses) from contractors that agree to perform work as authorized by the MSFH Program. State funding for the work is provided through grant dollars appropriated by the Florida Legislature for the purpose of hardening homes against wind damage and assisting eligible homeowners by making their homes potentially eligible for available insurance premium credits as outlined in Chapter 627, F.S.

Each contractor wishing to participate will be listed on the MSFH Program website for homeowners to choose from as “authorized contractors” to do work under the MSFH Program initiative. Currently, the Department anticipates the MSFH Program continuing through October 2024 or until program funding is exhausted. Requirements for participation in the MSFH Program are outlined in detail below.

2. Objectives

The objective of this Request is to develop a list of authorized contractors who are licensed, certified, insured, and willing to complete work as part of the MSFH Program and as specified in section 215.5586(2)(c), F.S. Functioning as part of the MSFH Program, authorized contractors must agree to only perform authorized work and to only utilize materials and construction techniques which will result in the home being potentially eligible for insurance premium credits as outlined in Chapter 627, F.S.

3. Request Overview

The Department will publish the list of authorized contractors who agree to participate in the MSFH Program on the Department’s MSFH Program website. Eligible homeowners will use the MSFH Program website to apply for the MSFH Program grant funding and coordinate with the authorized contractor. 

4. Resulting Authorization

The Department will request that all participating authorized contractors certify that the authorized contractor will maintain a valid license and insurance throughout the term of the MSFH Program as well as adhere to all building code standards and utilize only those materials which will result in the home potentially being eligible for insurance premium credits.

The Department will not enter into a contract with authorized contractors. Willing authorized contractors will contract directly with eligible homeowners. The Department will create mandatory MSFH Program specific language that will need to be included in the contract between the authorized contractor and homeowner. Those terms and conditions will not affect pricing or bidding requirements.

The MSFH Program only authorizes reimbursement to homeowners for a specific set of repairs or construction. Those repairs or construction include:

  1. Opening protection.
  2. Exterior doors, including garage doors.
  3. Brace gable ends.
  4. Reinforcing roof-to-wall connections.
  5. Improving the strength of roof-deck attachments.
  6. Upgrading roof covering from code to code plus.
  7. Secondary water barrier for roof.

Please note also, the Department will only reimburse the eligible homeowner for the above repairs if they are recommended by a wind certification entity that has performed an inspection of the home. In addition to the certification, contractors willing to participate in the MSFH Program shall also provide:

  1. Company name.
  2. County or counties in which the authorized contractor is willing to participate in the MSFH Program.
  3. Contact name, mailing address, telephone number and email address.
  4. Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN).
  5. If the contractor is an entity other than a natural person, proof of incorporating the business entity with the Florida Department of State.
  6. Contractor License Number(s).
  7. Proof of insurance outlined in Section 5.b) below (a copy of the declarations page is sufficient).

5. Qualification Requirements for Respondents

  1. Contractors must be licensed and certified by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Construction Industry for one (1) of the following license types:
    • General Contractor,
    • Building Contractor,
    • Residential Contractor, or
    • Roofing Contractor (for grant work concerning roofing repairs only.)
  2. Authorized contractors must maintain appropriate insurance as required by Rule 61G4-15.003, Florida Administrative Code, in the following amounts:
      Liability Property Damage
    General Contractor $300,000 $50,000
    Building Contractor $300,000 $50,000
    Residential Contractor $100,000 $25,000
    Roofing Contractor $100,000 $25,000

    All authorized contractors must maintain appropriate workers’ compensation insurance pursuant to Chapter 440, F.S.

  3. Authorized contractors shall not perform work outside the limits of their licensure.