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DALLAS - Today, Dallas City Council approved a four-year multi-vendor contract with three (3) firms to provide third-party Plan Review and Inspection services. This contract marks a strategic improvement over the previous model, which relied on a single consultant, and provides the Planning & Development Department (PDD) with greater flexibility and resiliency, particularly in the high-demand areas of plumbing and mechanical inspections. Additionally, this contract will help maintain timely, high-quality support for the City’s growing development activity.
“This contract gives us the ability to rotate between firms when one is unavailable, ensuring inspections stay on schedule and helping to avoid costly delays in construction or certificates of occupancy,” said Sam Eskander, Deputy Director and Chief Building Official for the City of Dallas.
All three firms - SAFEbuilt Texas LLC, Bureau Veritas North America, Inc., and Shums Coda Associates, Inc. - are equipped to provide plumbing and mechanical inspectors. The contract also includes plan review capabilities, which will serve as a contingency in the event of future staff vacancies or unexpected spikes in permit submittals.
The City has made notable progress in addressing staffing challenges with Plan Review levels currently stable and the hiring of four new plumbing inspectors in 2025, resulting in a net gain of two inspectors after accounting for attrition. This contract provides added flexibility given the current workforce constraints and ensure PDD is prepared to manage potential surges in workload.
The contract proposal received strong support from external stakeholders and the development and construction community. Notably, The Real Estate Council (TREC) emphasized the importance of the contract and working in partnership between the City and third-party inspectors, stating, “This contract is essential to continue our efforts to be more timely with projects coming online.”
This multi-vendor contract strengthens the City’s ability to meet service demands, reinforce continuity during peak periods or staffing fluctuations, and demonstrates PDD's continued commitment to supporting responsible growth and development.
To learn more about Planning & Development visit https://dallascityhall.com/departments/sustainabledevelopment/Pages/default.aspx
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