This Request for Proposals (RFP) from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF) seeks qualified vendors to provide real property appraisal services for special franchise properties and telecommunications assessment ceiling properties. The services are required to defend against judicial challenges to property full values. Key services include reviewing cost data, performing site inspections, preparing draft and final appraisal reports, reviewing litigant reports, and providing expert testimony. Mandatory requirements include qualifying experience and licensing. Technical requirements focus on methodological approach, project management, firm and staff experience. Financial requirements detail cost breakdowns for project milestones, site inspections, and additional work. The contract term is three years or until the conclusion of tax certiorari proceedings, whichever is later. Proposals are due by June 18, 2026. The DTF website is the primary source for amendments and announcements. Bidders must adhere to procurement lobbying guidelines and submit all required documentation by the specified deadlines. A civil engineering firm must be subcontracted for specific tasks.
The deadline for proposal submission is June 18, 2026, by 2:00 PM ET. The anticipated final appraisal report is due 15 months after contract approval.
Payments will be made in accordance with Article XIA of the New York State Finance Law, upon submission of a proper invoice and after DTF's affirmative written acceptance of each milestone. Travel expenses will be reimbursed according to OSC guidelines.
The contract award will be based on best value, optimizing quality, cost, and efficiency among responsive and responsible bidders. The bidder with the highest aggregate score will be nominated for contract award.
Vendors must be capable of providing the services, have sufficient resources, possess prior experience in mass property appraisal, and engage a licensed civil engineer experienced in telecommunications systems. The lead appraiser must be licensed in New York or have equivalent certification.
The department requires the appraiser and the civil engineer to conduct a site inspection simultaneously. This is considered customary in real property appraisals and necessary to prevent damaging testimony during cross-examination.
The deadline for submission of the first round of questions is May 1, 2026, and the deadline for the second round of questions is May 22, 2026.